Page 82 of All the Promises We Break

“Sounds perfect, honestly. If I can handle a roomful of dancers and teach choreography, I can manage a zoo.”

“I’ll let you get settled. Catch up at lunch?”

“Yeah, sure. That would be great.”

In the back corner of this large office is my desk and bookcase. The desk is the rich cherry color of Eli’s but scaled down for me. The corner of my desk has become home to the most beautiful vase full of pale pink tulips and white roses. The simple card at the base reads ‘Enjoy your first day, Love Mom and Dad’. It’s amazing what a difference a few weeks makes. All of my boxes are being check marked completed. Everything is happening just how I need them to be. If that’s the case, why am I still uneasy?

Eli wanted me to check the bottom desk drawer first thing. When I settle back in my desk chair, the seat is so high I have to adjust it down nearly as low as it will go. Someone tall, dark,handsome, and who shares my last name must have been sitting here before me.

I set my purse and tote on the floor then pull the magic drawer open. Inside is everything I wouldn’t have thought of for myself. Energy snacks, a new water bottle, a buffet of over-the-counter pain medications for before or after rehearsals. All the little toiletries I would or could need are there along with a tissue wrapped frame.

The frame contains a photograph of Eli and me from our first look. The photographer was able to get Eli’s reaction to me as well as me and my full dress in the warm sunlight that flowed through those windows. Attached to the back of the frame is a note. It’s from Eli.

‘I’ll never forget this moment. It’s the way I’ll always think of you. Warm, glowing, radiant, and full of light. Your love lights me in a way I will never be able to articulate. I love you. – E’

“You just did,” I whisper to the picture.

By the time I met with human resources to update all of my paperwork and make some attempt to organize my desk to find anything, it was ten minutes to meeting time. My alarm was a knock on my door. “Your flowers are beautiful. Do I need to be jealous?” Eli says.

“No.” I smile. “They’re from my parents. They’re really trying.”

“It’s about time. Are you ready?”

“Ready as I’m going to be. Do you know why Elise Nordby wanted to sit in?”

“Well, if I had to guess, it was to rattle our collective cage. She’s taken a keen interest in your kickoff charity luncheon. She wants to be in on the details up front. Sam and particularly Lucy are completely annoyed. My father suggested just agreeing withletting her feel like she’s running the show, without letting her run the show. I see the logic in that. Answer direct questions and I’ll handle the rest. You’ve got this. You know you do.”

“Should we fist bump or something?” I ask.

“My vote is for or something.” Eli smiles as he gives me a quick yet mood-altering kiss. “One of the perks of being married to the boss.”

“I’ll never need a raise if that’s a perk.”

The meeting that should have only taken thirty minutes took ninety. Elise questioned every decision and confirmed every detail. I did have an answer for every time she did. She seemed satisfied but I also felt a distinct unease, like she was trying to throw a wrench into the works.

After she leaves the call, while I attempt to decompress, Eli tries to make me feel better about the entire conversation and remind me of their confidence in my abilities. It works until I return to my office and check my personal email. I have my official audition time and the panel of judges I will pool from includes not only Jill Wallace but Elise Nordby.

“Dammit, Eli, that’s what this was about. She’s trying to force me to choose one way or the other. She has zero capacity for believing I can do both.”

“Dylan, just because that’s what she believes doesn’t mean it’s fact.”

“She’s already skewed in a certain direction. If she lands in my pool or does something to insure she is, I could be wasting my time.”

“Don’t be negative. Show her that you can do both. You have rehearsals all week and are working full days, or mostly full days, along with the luncheon on Friday, which you’re running. If I know you can do it, so should you.”

Finals hell has nothing on this week. I don’t know how I’ve managed to stay going. Up at five. Light workout with stretching. Shower while Eli makes us breakfast to-go. Work from eight to four with sixty minutes for lunch. Eat a protein bar and a vitamin shake while on the train to campus. Two hours of rehearsal. Shower while Eli sorts out dinner. Collapse facedown around ten thirty. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

I wake up on Friday morning with more aching muscles than I’ll admit to. I think I even have a sprained little toe on my left foot. Taping them together to wear in heels should be interesting. While I let the hot water from my shower rain over my skin, I start my pep talk. You can do this. This is your event. This means everything to you. You are capable. You are strong.

“You are a Sawyer,” Eli says. “Let me be your cheerleader.” I open my eyes to a large thermos of coffee on the shower bench, with Eli in his boxer briefs standing in the open glass door. “I hope you don’t mind but I laid out your navy suit with your teal top that plunges a bit in the right spot. Will you wear your hair in a bun today? I want to think about taking it down after our event.”

“Will you be able to concentrate? PS, how did you know that’s what I was doing?” I ask.

“You’re a creature of habit. I’m telling you; you won’t need luck. This day was built for you. But to answer your first question, that remains to be seen.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

Dylan

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