Page 4 of Mafioso's Muse

He poked his head in, then stepped into the room. His blond hair was slicked back for the occasion, his face closely shaven as it always was.

‘Well done, everyone.’ He turned in a circle with a bright smile, applauding them. ‘You were all fantastic out there tonight.’

Zoe slung her bag over her shoulder. ‘We couldn’t have done it without your incredible direction.’

Everyone groaned at her kiss-arse comment, but with good humour.

Colour pooled in her cheeks. ‘It’s actually true, but whatever.’

A murmur of laughter rolled across the room.

‘Not to get all soppy on you, but I promised you all when you joined this company that I would make it the best in Melbourne.’ Harrison looked from face to face, his eyes bright. ‘I know we can get there, so stick with me.’

Lili gave Willow a pointed look and mouthed, ‘Southern Ballet.’

Willow shook her head.

‘Go home, shower, and put on something nice. I’ve invited some of our supporters to Titian for drinks. They’re looking forward to seeing you all there.’

‘Will there be a bar tab?’ Lili asked, only half joking.

‘There will—with a limit because you’re all back in the studio at 10:00 a.m. Do not forget that.’ He looked straight at Lili while stating that last part.

She raised her hands, feigning innocence.

As the dancers began to file out of the dressing room, Harrison made his way over to Willow. ‘Well done, you. You just need to remember to relax your shoulders.’ He placed his hands on them and pushed down gently. ‘We need to work on those lat muscles.’

While Willow always welcomed corrections, it was embarrassing to be singled out straight after a performance. Their shared history did not always work in her favour. ‘I’ll mention it at Pilates tomorrow.’

‘Good.’ He gave her shoulders a pat before removing his hands.

‘Did our dear patrons seem happy post-performance?’ Lili asked as she bent to pick up her bag.

Harrison faced the mirror and re-tucked the front of his shirt. ‘I believe so.Howhappy will be determined over the next week—by our philanthropy team.’

‘You would think the condition of the chairs they were sitting in would be enough inspiration to up their donations,’ Lili said.

Willow smiled at the ground.

‘Bring your most interesting small-talk topics tonight,’ Harrison said, ignoring the comment. ‘And your most charming smiles.’

Lili flashed her teeth. ‘Are any of these rich patrons of ours single men aged between twenty-five and forty by any chance?’

The corner of Harrison’s mouth lifted. ‘You’ll have to spend time with them to find out.’ He exhaled dramatically. ‘I’m going to head there now. I’ll see you both soon.’ With that, he left the dressing room.

Once he was gone, Lili turned to Willow. ‘My future husband could be at this event tonight. I need to go home and find somethingtightto wear.’

‘Why not dazzle them with your wit instead?’

‘Oh, I plan on doing both.’ She looped her arm through Willow’s and began walking. ‘You do realise that I’m one year off being dubbedshengnu.’

‘What doesshengnumean?’

‘It means “leftover women.”’

Willow laughed. ‘You’re twenty-six for God’s sake. Hardly “leftover.”’

‘Tell that to my parents in Shanghai. They keep trying to set me up with Chinese lawyers and doctors working in Melbourne. It’s terrifying how far their reach extends. Every night when I get home, Ãyí has a new picture to show me.’

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