Page 37 of Lily
"You're a singer," Ashley said matter-of-factly.
Lily tilted her head to the side. "I am."
"I need a singer."
"For what?"
"Well, I guess I should say that it's not me who needs a singer, but my production company does."
Lily scrunched her nose and put down her notepad. "What do you mean, your production company?"
"I work as a costumer for an up-and-coming production company. When I was at the apartment, I had just gotten the gig, but now it's a full time job! Our next production is going to have a vocal component to it, and I think you'd be perfect for it.'
"How did you know that I sang?" Lily asked in confusion. They had always been polite, the sanest of the roommates, but never had the women exchanged info on their jobs or interests. Before now, Lily had only the vague notion that Ashley was involved in the fashion industry, but now there was a production company?
"Sam told me." Ashley flicked a finger in Sam's direction and gave Lily a crooked smile. "Please say you'll audition."
"I don't really know if I have the range for the, ah, performance."
"Sam says you do."
Lily looked back at Sam to see that he was watching them. She raised an eyebrow at him and he shrugged before mouthing, "Do it."
"What's the piece you need vocals for?" Lily asked, still looking at Sam.
"We're doing Iolanta, Tchaikovsky's last opera, so it's going to be awesome. It's one act, so don't worry, your pipes won't get wrecked. We are adapting it for a Christmas show, and it's going to be so beautiful."
"An opera?" Lily bit her lip and shook her head. "I don't know. I don't have that kind of range."
Ashley gave her a confused look and put her menu down. "But Sam said you would be perfect for it."
"How does he know my range?"
"He co-owns Burgundy. Said he saw you perform a ton before and that you have it in the bag. Are you sure that you don't want to at least audition for it?" Ashley leaned forward with a frown. "I wouldn't have asked if Sam hadn't said you could do it. I bet you can."
Lily shook her head. "No, I don't think I should, but thank you for the offer." A loud cough from Darla as she passed signaled that their manager, Donny, was now watching. Lily looked to the side and gave their manager a quick smile. He was frowning, and she groaned inwardly. She would be hearing about this later, she knew.
"Can I get you something?" she asked, turning on her professional server voice, and thankfully Ashley took the hint. Her eyes slid to the side, and she saw Donny watching them intently. "Oh, of course, I'll take the special and a cup of coffee. Thanks."
"Got it! I'll be right back with your coffee." She gave Ashley a quick nod and speed walked toward the diner counter where the coffee was percolating happily away. Too bad it was the only thing happy at that moment. She turned, seeing Donny leaning against the counter with crossed arms.
"You got a lot of friends here today."
"I know, but today is just a little different, Donny."
"I don't pay you to socialize, Lily," Donny replied, narrowing his eyes and jerking his chin toward where Sam and Ashley were now sitting together, heads bent close in conversation. Lily wondered what they were talking about, but she didn't linger on the fleeting thought when Donny cleared his throat.
"I need you focused and here to work. I took a chance on you and gave you this job. You're not even a good waitress and I still keep you on."
Lily's eyes widened at the sudden words. "What are you talking about? I do my job and I do it well, Donny." She had never been late to her shifts, she was dependable, she was more than nice to her customers and had gained a crowd of regulars that made her shifts worthwhile and even a little fun. Yes, a year ago, she hadn't known a thing about serving, but she'd learned everything from Darla and had more than made up for her lack of experience.
Her job had been a constant for her even when she hadn't felt like herself. It was easy for her to leave everything at the door and she had never had visitors at work until today. Darla shot her a warning look over Donny's shoulder. She knew the other woman wanted her to let Donny say his piece and move on, but she couldn't bring herself to do it.
"Donny, I'm good at my job. I know today things are a little different, but it's one day and I swear—"
"The point here is that you are socializing with your new boyfriend and now you got a girl dropping in like it's a slumber party. I'm paying you to wait tables, not gossip. You're stealing from me!" The last of his words were nearly a shout and Lily gasped at them, backing up until she bumped against the coffee machine. By this time, everyone in the diner was looking over at them and Lily swallowed hard at the attention. She hated it when it was focused on her like this, like a bug under a microscope. A quick look around the diner confirmed her suspicions that people were now staring at them. Among those people were Sam and Ashley. Ashley's eyes were wide in shock, but Sam? Sam's face was stern, his eyes flashing in anger, and Lily knew she had to end this conversation before he came over.
Sam rose from his seat. This was bad, very bad.
