Irresistible You

by Celeste O. Norfleet

  “I’m sure my parents will continue to support your programs.”

  “Marvelous, truly marvelous, although I must say J.T. I was delighted when you took me up on my offer so quickly.” Phillip said as he held the office door for J.T. to enter. “We’re truly delighted to introduce you to the world of ballet.” Phillip rounded his desk and offering J.T. the seat across from him. “I’ve already been approached by Vanya she is anxious to personally show you our world.”

  “Actually Phillip,” J.T. said, “I understood that I would be shadowing Juliet Bridges.”

  “True, true, but if you’re truly anxious and ready to get started then Vanya is available now. Vanya is a rising star here at the company. I’m sure she’ll be very instructive. Juliet is working on a very important program for the season’s finale. She’ll be extremely busy over the next few weeks. I’ve already made arrangements for Vanya to show you around. As I said she is truly a rising star.”

  J.T. smiled tightly. “That is unfortunate.” The firmness in his tone left little to be misinterpreted. “Thank you but no thank you. It was good meeting you. I’ll give your best to my parents.” He said as he stood to leave.

  Phillip instantly panicked seeing hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations walk out of the door. He stood and hurried to J.T.’s side. “Let me see what I can do. I’m sure I can impress upon Juliet the importance of your interest. I assure you, she’ll be more than happy to comply.”

  J.T. smiled knowingly. With money came power and with power, almost anything was possible including buying and selling favors. Unfortunately, wielding power without abusing it was often the challenge for most. He used his only as a last resort. J.T. paused, turned to Phillip and smiled. “That would be acceptable.”

  “Granted, she may not have as much time with you this evening but if she’s still in the building I’ll have her come and discuss more conducive arrangements satisfactory to both of you.”

  They shook hands as Phillip left to find Juliet.

  After the door closed J.T. turned back to the empty room. It was the same office that Juliet had led him to the night before. He walked over and looked up at the poster of her again. Serene and still, it was almost luminous. His thoughts instantly went to Juliet’s solo dance in the dark shadows of the studio. The sadness of her mood struck him again. There was definitely more to her than the smart talking woman she allowed the public to see.

  Chapter Eleven

  Lena perched on the dressing table, crossed her long legs and smiled as she admired her taut even skin tone in the mirror. Soft and supple, she leaned in moving her face from the left and right then rolled her chin upwards pulling her neck tightly. She smiled knowingly and pat the underside of her chin several times, her reflection was perfect.

  At near sixty she was still as attractive and vibrant as ever. Styled and mannered, she was a character right out of Tennessee Williams and Margaret Mitchell. An eclectic cross between Scarlet O’Hare and Blanche Dubois, she was all southern charm but with a bite and attitude of Maggie the cat, she wasn’t one to be easily fooled.

  She scanned Juliet’s dressing table. A bevy of cosmetic supplies littered the counter top. She gathered the numerous powder brushes and color pencils and placed them back into the glass holders. Then she picked up and closed the various color eye shadows, face powder and lipstick casing. Lastly she gathered combs, decorative silken flowers, and tiaras and placed them in the small velvet lined case next to the large CD player. Satisfied that she had successfully cleaned the mess on the table she grabbed a couple of tissues, removed her red lipstick and replaced it with one from the table. Smoked raspberry, the new lipstick color gave her face an added sparkle. She puckered and eyed her full mouth nodding her approval as she decided that the color was perfect with her chic outfit.

  She leaned back and sat up straight holding her stomach tight and pushing her slight chest out. Thin but firm, her body was flawlessly reflective of her many years as a stage dancer and now a ballet choreographer.

  She reached up and stroked the thin laced veil of gray that accented the front of her hair. Usually pulled back tight into a bun, today she had it loose and gently weighed full on her shoulders. “Do you what to tell me what that was all about?” She called loudly to Juliet still dressing in the next room.

  Juliet, paused a moment to think, then continued dressing. “What, what was that all about?” She asked innocently knowing exactly what Lena was implying. But avoidance was always her first choice when it came to answering Lena’s question regarding her dance performance.

  The morning’s rehearsal was horrendous. Lack of sleep and exhaustion were only part of her troubles. Having always been a quick study, she suddenly found that the simply detailed nuances off Swan Lake were a struggle to grasp. Missteps, misdirection and bad timing had led Richard to suggest that they go down to the stage for the afternoon rehearse. When the session was over she had hurriedly retreated to her dressing room.

  For the first time in her life she was actually delighted when rehearsals were over. Dancing with pain had never been a problem, difficult rehearsals and performances were merely challenges and exhaustion seemed to give her more energy. But it seemed that being with J.T. again last night had proved to be more of a problem than she had anticipated.

  Apparently getting him out of her system with one last night wasn’t a great idea. Her dancing and concentration levels lacked focus. It was obvious to her as well as others. The simplest routine had challenged her to complete frustration.

  All she kept thinking about was the night before with J.T. A frown crossed her brow. She needed to do something about him quickly or her retirement would be a lot sooner than she planned.

  Lena turned to the open doorway, her pale gray eyes sparked radiantly as she anticipated Juliet’s usual evasive answers. “The distraction of course, you had absolutely no focus today. I’ve never seen you so completely diverted.”

  Juliet came to the door of the dressing room. “I’m just tired, that’s all. I’ve been overdoing it lately.” She sighed loudly to give added emphasis then returned to dressing.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Of course,” she said. “I have a lot of things on my mind. I’ll be fine, a good night’s sleep and I’ll be as good as new.” She returned to dressing

  Lena nodded not completely assured by Juliet’s excuse.

  Juliet changed the subject immediately. The last thing she needed was Lena asking more questions. “How’s the community center coming along?”

  “It’s going to be wonderful. Louise and Taylor are incredible and we have so many great ideas.”

  “Sounds like the three of you really complement each other.”

  “We do, I couldn’t have asked to work with nicer women. I’m really excited to get this off the ground. It’ll be nice to settle down in one place for a while.”

  “You’ll miss the road.”

  “I don’t think so. Ballet was wonderful in its time. Choreography was just as satisfying, now it’s time to do something different, to give back. I really wish you’d reconsider and join us. You’d be marvelous teaching the children.”

  “I do teach children at the workshop, that’s enough.”

  “Juliet, you’re wonderful with children. Seeing you at the children’s workshop and at my studio in New York is truly a joy. You delight in molding those sweet young minds and feet into the next generation dancer. The little ones adore you and the older ones want to be you. You were born to teach. Think about it, join us.”

  “We’ll see.”

  “Seriously think about it. We’ve already discussed having several young children’s dance classes at the center. You’ll be perfect to head the youth program. We could do wonderful things together.”

  Juliet didn’t respond. Thinking about her future was all she’d been doing for months. At the moment, her options were limitless; teach, choreograph, travel, guest perform, or even open her own dance company.

  Ju
liet looked up and stared at the poster of herself hanging on the wall. She was five and just starting in dance. Even then her petite body showed a promise of a career in dance. She smiled at her wide-eyed wonder of it all, at that age she thought that dance was the most wonderfully exciting thing in the world. She still thought so. Maybe passing that feeling on to the next generation was for her after all.

  “I heard an interesting rumor a few weeks ago,” Lena called out again as she sat down at the dressing table and picked up a large makeup brush and fanned its bristles with her long fingernail, “apparently your father’s getting married again. I seem to have lost count, is this wife number six or number seven?”

  Juliet stopped dressing, sat down on the stool and took a deep breath then let it out slowly. She waited trying not to let her annoyance get the better of her. She loved and adored Lena and would forever be grateful for introducing her to the wondrous world of dance, but lately her constant insinuations and innuendos where her father was concerned had gotten out of hand.

  Wyatt Bridges, Juliet’s father, was the perpetual rolling stone. Handsome to the point of mesmerizing, he had women falling in love with him constantly, even at fifty he was still considered handsome. He was charming and debonair and unfortunately loved the idea of divorce just as much as he loved the idea of marrying. Juliet’s mother was wife number two and Juliet was his only daughter.

  As a father he was doting, loving, kind and treated her like a princess, giving her everything she ever wanted except his time. Then as a teen growing up she’d spoke to him rarely and saw him even less. As an adult she barely spoke or saw him unless of course it was by wedding invitation like the one she received a few weeks ago.

  Born to affluence with a platinum spoon in his mouth because of his grandfather’s keen eye for investments, Wyatt was fourth generation wealth which had given him a unique perspective on life and love. Spoiled and selfish, with no sign of actually growing up and taking responsibility for his actions, he enjoyed a life free of monetary concerns and privilege and devoted his time to the important task of finding happiness. As far as she knew he was still searching.

  Lydia Cane-Bridges, her mother, on the other hand was born to a middle class family and worked for Wyatt’s father. She always said that with Wyatt it was love at first sight. As soon as she saw him she knew that they’d be together. Unfortunately, love at first sight didn’t last.

  Ultimately Lydia had lost her heart and herself in Wyatt’s shadow. After the divorce and less than generous pre-nuptial settlement, Lydia went back to work and Juliet rarely saw her father who was decidedly off romancing his next bride to be.

  Two years later, after a world-wind romance, Lena became wife number three and Juliet’s ballet mentor. A year after that they divorced and he was on to his next romance. Just like Lydia, Lena had always seemed to regret the divorce more than the marriage.

  “You know perfectly well that it’s wife number eight,” Juliet finally called out knowing exactly where the conversation was going.

  Lena smiled and shook her head ruefully humored. She absently fingered the fresh flower arrangement beautifully displayed on the counter. “When will my dear ex-husband ever grow up?”

  “I doubt he ever will,” she said as she continued dressing.

  “True, true, he does still have those pesky commitment issues.”

  “Boredom, attention deficit or maybe he just lacks focus, either way making a commitment has never been an issue for Wyatt, on the other hand keeping a commitment has.

  Lena laughed agreeing wholeheartedly with Juliet’s assessment of her ex-husband. “Will you be attending this wedding?” She asked anxious for first hand gossip.

  “I haven’t decided yet.”

  “You haven’t missed one yet.”

  “True.” Juliet had attended every one of her father’s wedding since his marriage to Lena at the age of five.

  “You’d better decide, I hear the wedding is soon.”

  “Why don’t you go in my stead? I’m sure that would liven up the wedding reception. Ex wife number three meets new wife number eight. Better yet why don’t you arrange for one through seven to attend, that would really show solidarity.”

  Lena smirked at Juliet’s usual dry humor. “I’m sure it would.” She chuckled at the image of her ex husband’s face at seeing her at his wedding reception.

  “If nothing else you’d all get a spot on the Jerry Springer’s Side Show.”

  Lena laughed joyfully. “I might just do that. But I’m not sure I could gather the rest of the Bridges wives.” She laughed again. “We do indeed have a remarkable family tree.” She paused for a response from Juliet but received none. “Speaking of men, I met a very attractive friend of yours earlier today.”

  Finally dressed, Juliet came back into the room and walked over to the dressing table and dropped her bag on the chair across from Lena. “Who was speaking of men?”

  Lena ignored her remark and continued to smile happily. “A very handsome friend,” she taunted knowingly.

  Trying not to look interested, Juliet busily transferred a few items from her rehearsal bag to her oversize purse. “Really?”

  “Aren’t you curious as to who I met.”

  “Not really.”

  Lena smiled and spun the chair to face Juliet. “He said that you two were old friends.” Not getting the curious reaction she expected, she continued, “from Manhattan.”

  Juliet froze as her heart thumped against her chest. It couldn’t be. She speculated to herself but remained silent and continued stuffing her purse. He wouldn’t dare. When she finished she pulled out a lipstick tube, leaned closer to the mirror and ran color along her bottom lip, then puckered. Seeming disinterested she glanced over at an anticipating Lena through the mirror’s reflection. “Okay I give up, who did you meet today?” She asked already knowing the answer.

  “J.T. Evans.” Lena watched as Juliet paused for an instant then went back to puckering her lips in the mirror. “Care to elaborate?”

  “There’s nothing to say. We met one evening about ten months ago in New York. I hadn’t seen him since then.” She dropped the tube of lipstick into her purse and gathered her jacket.

  “Interesting coincidence,” Lena said as she stood and gathered her purse and casually tossed her shawl over one shoulder. She turned to catch a glimpse of herself in the mirror.

  “What’s an interesting coincidence?” Juliet asked as she picked up her bag.

  Lena smiled adjusting the shawl accordingly. “That’s exactly what he said.”

  Juliet looked at her and smiled, “exactly

  “I know you Juliet, there’s more to this than a simple coincidence. I can see it in your eyes and Lord knows I saw it in your dancing. Be careful dear, remember patrons are off limits.”

  “Are you finished?” she asked.

  “For the moment.”

  “I thought you mentioned you had dinner plans with Phillip this evening?”

  Lena shook her head noting the abrupt change of subject, “I do,” she glanced at her watch automatically.

  “Well, shouldn’t you be leaving about now?”

  “I get the feeling you’re trying to get rid of me.”

  “Of course not,” Juliet said nicely.

  Lena looked at her and smiled as she walked over to the door. “Don’t forget we have dinner plans tomorrow evening. I understand there’s someone very anxious to meet you.”

  “Who?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know; we’ll find out tomorrow night.”

  “I hope this isn’t another one of your attempts at setting me up. I’m still reeling from meeting the last man you introduced me to.”

  “I won’t have to keep introducing you if you’d just go out on a date once in a while. When’s the last time you went out?”

  “It hasn’t been that long.”

  “It’s been nearly a year.”

  “Are you keeping track?”

  “Somebody has t
o.”

  “Well for your information, I’m going out to dinner tonight.”

  “Hanging out with Patricia isn’t what I had in mind.”

  “No, what you have is another blind date.”

  Lena smiled innocently, “as I said, we’ll find out tomorrow.”

  Before Juliet could respond a quick knock on the dressing room door got her attention. “Juliet,” Phillip called out as he knocked again.

  “Come in,” Juliet said relieved for the interruption.

  Phillip opened the door and peeked in. “Lena, I thought I’d find you here.” He greeted Juliet then kissed both cheeks, “are you ready to go? Our reservations aren’t for another hour but I thought you might enjoy meeting a truly hug fan of yours.”

  “Sounds divine,” Lena said smiling brightly, always willing to meet a fan. She took Phillip’s offered arm as he led her to the door. She stopped in front of Juliet, they kissed warmly. “Good night dear. Enjoy your evening.”

  “Goodnight.”

  As Phillip followed he stopped a moment. “Juliet,” he began as Lena kept going offering to meet him in the lobby, “you have a guest.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes, J.T. Evan in my office to see you.” Juliet’s heart began pounding as her stomach lurched. “He’s the gentleman who won your basket at the fund raiser last evening. His family is also a major patron.”

  Juliet nodded. “I know who he is. What’s the favor?”

  “You agreed to donate a basket to the fund raiser, J.T. is here to discuss arrangements.”

  “Is this really necessary?” she asked.

  “…Completely, he wants to learn about the world of ballet. You’re the perfect instructor.”

  “But I’m sure Vanya would be delighted to take my place.”

  “…He asked for you personally. I’d take that as an honor.”

  “I have plans this evening.”

  “…That you’ll simply delay.”

  “But…” she tried to quickly come up with another excuse but failed miserably.