Page 13 of The Dancer and the Grumpy Billionaire

Gigi:Do not say too old or Ukraine or whatever

Gigi:I do not care about such things

Gigi:I like you

Vasily:I was going to say those things. And you barely know me.

Gigi:And yet you bring me flowers and want to see me so what does that mean

Vasily:It means I am probably very stupid, but would you like to have lunch or coffee with me sometime?

Gigi:I would can you pick me up at the ballet

Gigi:lunch is good tomorrow

We end our conversation with a plan, and I am electrified with excitement. I reach out from my bed to touch the soft petals of the flowers he brought me. I told Vera they were from a random fan and she frowned, but put them in water for me.

It is hard to go to sleep, hard to make my mind stop racing.

I will see Vasily Kyrylo tomorrow.

CHAPTER 6

Vasily

Ipull my black Tesla up in the alley behind the Ballet building, exactly at noon.

Gigi bounds out the building’s back door, running with a light step, her hair covered by a scarf and huge sunglasses covering much of her face.

“Are you that famous that you need a disguise?” I ask. “Am I lunching with a very famous person today?”

“Just go, please,” she says. “Quickly, before anyone sees us.”

I pull back out onto the road. “I see, so you are embarrassed to be seen with such an old man.”

Pulling her scarf free and removing her sunglasses, Gigi rolls her eyes. “No, it’s not that. And thirty is not old.”

“Thank you,” I say sarcastically. “Where would the very famous dancer like to eat lunch today?”

“Oh, I do not know,” she says. “I do not eat in restaurants very often.”

“Why? Because people mob you for your autograph?” I ask, grinning, unwilling to give up the joke.

“Yes, that is why,” she says, smiling despite herself. “No, I usually stay at the theater for lunch hour. You please choose.”

“What do you like to eat?”

“Take out the word like. I do not eat what I like. I eat what will keep my body the way the director wishes it.”

I make a face. “What? That’s ridiculous. Why does it matter what your director thinks of your body?”

“I am in a leotard on stage every night. It matters what my body looks like. It matters for the character.”

“So whatdoyou eat, then?” I ask

“Lean proteins, salad, steamed vegetables.”

“Sounds boring,” I say.

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