stood to walk him to the door.
He moved just close enough to touch her cheek. “You know, I really don’t want to mess us up.”
“I don’t either.”
He had given her the most breathtaking kiss of her life, and once again, he wanted friendship. Protection of the status quo. Aileen’s world disintegrated. She led him to the apartment foyer. “Good night, Liam.”
“G’night, Ailee.”
Shoulders down, he never met her eyes, and his quietly spoken words drifted quickly to silence. After Aileen closed the door, she sank against it bowing her head and doing the only thing she knew she could do in order to survive the heartbreak.
She stayed put, breathed past the shaft of pain, and she prayed.
10
Concert plans were finalized with minimal fuss, thanks to the smooth intercession of Liam and the Zion’s Peak record label. The Sisters in Spirit would perform an hour and a half show complete with professional lighting, stage set up, costume changes, and a full-blown tech crew that would assist in matters ranging from wardrobe to makeup to all matters having to do with the overall production—sound, choreography, and break down.
Rehearsals moved from Siobhan’s dance studio to the facility itself, which featured a mirror lined practice room complete with a ballet barre.
That’s where Aileen and the girls lined up, ready to be terrorized by their newly ordained choreographer Max Osterman. Feet planted, head high, the small-framed man clapped his hands, which caused the girls to jump, and exchange bewildered grins.
“Line up, face front, and let’s take it from the top.” The words were more a barked command than anything else. “You have one hour to dedicate to the morning rehearsal before the media session, so let’s get to it. Siobhan, front center, Aileen, stage left, Maeve, start off in the center just to the rear of Siobhan, and Kassidy, stage left. We’re going to take “How Beautiful ” from the top. No singing, just focus on the way you’ll move across the stage. Remember, the key is communicating with each other and enhancing your rapport all the while playing to the audience, who will no doubt want to be included in that fabulous relationship you all share. Ready…?”
Dressed in exercise clothes, now focused and intent the rehearsal session began.
It was brutal. Siobhan, by far the one most used to such physical precision, even broke into a sweat as Max carefully built on the message of the song by developing fluid movements that enhanced Siobhan’s command of the stage during musical bridges. During the verses, each of them had a solo and claimed the spotlight, yet Max was careful to orchestrate the production so each of them remained engaged with the audience.
The hour flew by. In the end, even Max—a notorious perfectionist according to Liam—seemed happy with the results. Now it was time to clean up and prepare for a luncheon meet-and-greet with select members of the media designed to introduce the group in a public way, promote the concert and start building interest.
For Aileen, this moment was far scarier than any critique or instruction laid on her by their demanding choreographer. They needed to be on-point and dazzling. They needed to win the hearts of the media so that the media, in turn, would help promote the upcoming show.
They showered and changed into wardrobes she would best describe as casual chic. Aileen, who continued to pound out the hours in Zumba class, still felt so awkward and unbalanced when she compared herself to her three friends. She chose soft lavender palazzo pants paired with a white silk shell that flowed perfectly over her body and usually made her feel confident and pretty—but there was no hiding curves and a full, statuesque form, especially when standing next to the diminutive Siobhan and the gorgeous Kassidy. Maeve was average in height and size, but her beguiling green eyes, fair skin, and vibrant red hair made her a complete
He moved just close enough to touch her cheek. “You know, I really don’t want to mess us up.”
“I don’t either.”
He had given her the most breathtaking kiss of her life, and once again, he wanted friendship. Protection of the status quo. Aileen’s world disintegrated. She led him to the apartment foyer. “Good night, Liam.”
“G’night, Ailee.”
Shoulders down, he never met her eyes, and his quietly spoken words drifted quickly to silence. After Aileen closed the door, she sank against it bowing her head and doing the only thing she knew she could do in order to survive the heartbreak.
She stayed put, breathed past the shaft of pain, and she prayed.
10
Concert plans were finalized with minimal fuss, thanks to the smooth intercession of Liam and the Zion’s Peak record label. The Sisters in Spirit would perform an hour and a half show complete with professional lighting, stage set up, costume changes, and a full-blown tech crew that would assist in matters ranging from wardrobe to makeup to all matters having to do with the overall production—sound, choreography, and break down.
Rehearsals moved from Siobhan’s dance studio to the facility itself, which featured a mirror lined practice room complete with a ballet barre.
That’s where Aileen and the girls lined up, ready to be terrorized by their newly ordained choreographer Max Osterman. Feet planted, head high, the small-framed man clapped his hands, which caused the girls to jump, and exchange bewildered grins.
“Line up, face front, and let’s take it from the top.” The words were more a barked command than anything else. “You have one hour to dedicate to the morning rehearsal before the media session, so let’s get to it. Siobhan, front center, Aileen, stage left, Maeve, start off in the center just to the rear of Siobhan, and Kassidy, stage left. We’re going to take “How Beautiful ” from the top. No singing, just focus on the way you’ll move across the stage. Remember, the key is communicating with each other and enhancing your rapport all the while playing to the audience, who will no doubt want to be included in that fabulous relationship you all share. Ready…?”
Dressed in exercise clothes, now focused and intent the rehearsal session began.
It was brutal. Siobhan, by far the one most used to such physical precision, even broke into a sweat as Max carefully built on the message of the song by developing fluid movements that enhanced Siobhan’s command of the stage during musical bridges. During the verses, each of them had a solo and claimed the spotlight, yet Max was careful to orchestrate the production so each of them remained engaged with the audience.
The hour flew by. In the end, even Max—a notorious perfectionist according to Liam—seemed happy with the results. Now it was time to clean up and prepare for a luncheon meet-and-greet with select members of the media designed to introduce the group in a public way, promote the concert and start building interest.
For Aileen, this moment was far scarier than any critique or instruction laid on her by their demanding choreographer. They needed to be on-point and dazzling. They needed to win the hearts of the media so that the media, in turn, would help promote the upcoming show.
They showered and changed into wardrobes she would best describe as casual chic. Aileen, who continued to pound out the hours in Zumba class, still felt so awkward and unbalanced when she compared herself to her three friends. She chose soft lavender palazzo pants paired with a white silk shell that flowed perfectly over her body and usually made her feel confident and pretty—but there was no hiding curves and a full, statuesque form, especially when standing next to the diminutive Siobhan and the gorgeous Kassidy. Maeve was average in height and size, but her beguiling green eyes, fair skin, and vibrant red hair made her a complete
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