Breaking Away (Assassins, #5)(95)

Reese smiled. “Thank you.”

“I’m very proud of you. I’ve been watching your girls all weekend, fabulous is the only thing I can say. That redhead you got, Claire? She danced with that one boy.”

Reese noticed Phillip turn again as she said, “Yeah, Claire Anderson.”

“Simply phenomenal. She rocked that stage. She reminds me of a special someone I know,” she said with a wink.

Reese giggled. “I agree. She is going to rule the dance world.”

“Or maybe even the Burlesque world. The girl is sexy and dances that way.”

Reese shrugged. “Maybe, but I’m hoping for headlining tours with big names.”

Miss Prissy smiled. “That too, you should have done both, but it wasn’t what the good Lord had in his plans for you.”

“You’re right.”

“Okay, well, I wish I could stay and chat for hours but I need to go. Do me a favor though; I need you to call me, meet up for lunch because I need some new stuff for the stage. A few of my girls quit and now the ones I have left can’t come up with jack. Help me, please?”

Reese nodded. She’d walk through fire for Miss Prissy. The woman was her source of income when she was going through college and dance school. She was the reason Reese had no debt and the main reason she had the dance company. She had put the capital down, and Reese had just paid her off a year ago. “Of course, I don’t even know why you are asking. Just tell me.”

She let out a gut-busting laugh as she reached for Reese, hugging her tightly. “I’d do no such thing. I am lucky to have such an amazing young lady in my life.”

Reese closed her eyes and hugged her back. “And I’m lucky to have you.”

“Good,” she said, backing away before cupping Reese’s face. “Call me when you get back.”

“Will do.”

“Great, oh by the way, did you see that poor excuse for a man? He’s here. I flicked him off and told him to eat dirt.”

Reese laughed as she waved her off. “Yes ma’am, and that’s a story for our lunch.”

“Awesome. See you soon.”

Miss Prissy kissed Reese’s cheek before strutting away like she owned the place. A smile played on Reese lips as she turned to look up at the stage. When she felt someone staring at her, she turned to see Phillip watching her, his brows up as he asked, “Who was that?”

“Mrs. Prissy, a longtime friend. I used to work for her.”

“Oh cool,” he said with a nod, “Burlesque?”

Reese smiled. “Yup.”

“Isn’t that like stripping?”

She shrugged. “Kinda.”

“So you were a stripper?”

Reese giggled. “Sort of. No man saw my tits or kitty if that’s what you’re asking.”

Phillip smirked before leaning into her. “Maybe you can show me some of your moves sometime?”

“Maybe,” she answered, looking up with her eyes shining. He leaned over, kissing her softly before rubbing his nose against her. She really enjoyed kissing him in public. She was surprised how much she liked it. She knew she should be worried about that because feelings could get involved, but she just couldn’t bring herself to care.

“I bet you had men blowing loads everywhere.”

She giggled against his lips. “You know it.”

“Mmm,” he moaned softly before kissing her again. When her studio name was called, she pulled away and smiled before saying, “The girls are taking the stage.”

“You’re lucky.”

She laughed as she smacked him away playfully. “Stop, you’re distracting.”

“You know you like it.”

“Maybe.”

He gave a throaty laugh before turning to the stage where Claire was center stage, posed with her hands on her hips, her legs parted and the fiercest look on her face.

“What the f*ck is she wearing?” Phillip gasped before turning to look at Reese. “Where the hell is the rest?”

“What? She looks amazing, they all do!” Reese said back as she took in her gorgeous dancers. She had on a bright pink dazzling bra that had diamonds and pink feathers, with diamond strings going down the black-studded booty shorts that had a big, bright pink bow on the butt. Reese thought they were gorgeous and looked fabulous on stage with each girls’ hair up in a high ponytail.

“That is more reveling than the other one!” he complained.

“It’s the dance world. This is what we wear; it covers way more than a bathing suit.”

“Whatever.” He glared before looking back at the stage as the music started. For the love of dance, Claire ruled and demanded the attention of everyone in the room. Reese was a little worried what the other parents would think because it was obvious that Claire was the star, but there was nothing she could do about it. She was striking, unbelievable, and it brought tears to Reese’s eyes she was so proud. When the end came and Claire was the only one on the stage, a look of domination on her face, Reese and Phillip were the loudest people in the house because Reese knew that they just placed first.

When awards followed three numbers later, Reese was right, and she felt like her winning weekend was within reach. The only thing left was the solos and with the way Claire was dancing, she knew she’d take the title home.