Page 41 of Master of My Heart

He nodded. “Get some rest. I’ll see you soon.” He disappeared into the wings.

“We’ll have to go out and celebrate tomorrow night,” Jayson said, smiling. “If you’re up for it.”

“Celebrate what?” she asked, frowning.

“You being accepted into the company.”

She shook her head. “He hasn’t posted yet.”

“Didn’t you hear what he said?” Jayson helped her to her feet. “Why else would he talk about you missing rehearsals?”

“Oh!” She grinned. “I really made it?” Jayson laughed as she clapped her hands together. “I can hardly believe it.”

Chapter Fifteen

Jayson insisted on taking a taxi, even though Sabrina said she could walk. But, deep down, she really didn’t want to walk much farther than the front of the opera house. Her whole body started aching again and she knew she couldn’t simply go to sleep and wake up healed. She would have to wait and work through the pain like a normal human. She had no idea how long it would take. This was the price of being normal, she realized, and the thought gave her a newfound respect for what her friends dealt with their entire lives. It was a wonder they didn’t hide away from any activity that might hurt them.

Once they arrived at the clinic, Jayson guided her to the cold, plastic chairs in the waiting area and went to check her in. He returned with a clipboard containing forms to fill out. “Use my address for your address.”

When she was done, he took the papers back up to the desk, then they sat and waited. He put his arm around her, and she leaned her head against his chest. She liked being comforted while in pain. It was a new experience for her.

“Thank you for taking care of me.” She looked up at him and smiled.

“You’re very welcome. I’m glad I met you yesterday.” He smiled back. “I can’t imagine what you would be going through right now if I hadn’t.” He frowned. When his phone buzzed in his pocket, he pulled it out and looked at her. “Martin.”

Her stomach filled with butterflies. She watched Jayson’s face carefully.

“Hello?... Great. I’m so glad. If you hadn’t... I know... Yeah, okay. I’ll let her know... Thanks.”

When he hung up, his expression made Sabrina swallow hard, though his eyes glinted mischievously. “Well, Sabrina...” He didn’t continue for a long minute.

She let out a shaky breath as they stared at one another.

“How would you feel about dancing the role of Clara in this year’s Nutcracker?”

She blinked as her stomach dropped. “Clara?” Sabrina hoped her face didn’t show her disappointment. Clara was a role for a little girl. Did Martin feel sorry for her and put her in an eight-year-old’s role? “I—” She’d been hoping for Snowflake at least. Maybe even one of the Flowers. She looked down at the floor. “I’m honored,” she finally said in a soft voice.

“He said he had to fight with the board to put you in there, since you’re new and untried, but he insisted and won.”

Sabrina wrinkled her brow. “Why does it matter if I’m new or not?” She felt the tears in her eyes and kept looking at the floor, hoping Jayson wouldn’t notice.

“Sabrina, you do know that Clara is, like, the star of the show, don’t you? That role is as desired as Sugar Plum, but Martin’s really picky about who he chooses.” He smiled. “He says he’s dreamed of having someone like you in that role.”

“I danced Clara when I was eight...”

Jayson suddenly laughed. “Oh!” He grinned. “You must do a different version of Nutcracker. Here, Clara has a beautiful pas de deux with the Nutcracker Prince before the Snowflakes. She also dances in most of the second act.”

Sabrina’s heart leapt in her chest, a glimmer of hope peeking through the darkness. “You’re not teasing me?”

He shook his head emphatically. “Of course not. It would be cruel to tease you about something like this.”

She allowed herself a small smile that slowly built into a huge grin. “Omigosh!” Tears of joy filled her eyes. “I can hardly believe it!”

Jayson nodded and hugged her gently. “I can believe it. You’re a phenomenal dancer, Sabrina.”

“Who’s the prince?” she asked, feeling a little breathless as she imagined dancing with him. Was that even possible? He was... famous!

He smiled and gave a tiny shrug, almost looking embarrassed. “Me.”

---