Pas de Deux

by M. J. Duncan

  After a week of butter-soft leather and warmth and quiet, the tube was a rather jarring experience, but Mallory was almost glad for it. Part of her wished that Noah had been waiting at the curb to drive her to the Barbican just so she would be able to avoid the cold and the noise and the crush of people on the tube, but at least this way she had something to focus on other than how much she wished the world hadn’t been waiting to force Addison from her arms.

  She stared at her reflection in the window behind the person seated opposite her on her train to the Barbican station, and she shook her head at the sadness she could see in her expression. Knowing that she was being ridiculous did little to ease the ache that had settled in her chest when, with one last lingering kiss and a promise from Mallory that she would come to Addison’s apartment that night after her concert, Addison slipped out the door to head into Covent Garden for class. It seemed cruel, really, to have to put those feelings of happiness and security and affection on hold to deal with real-world obligations, but as her phone buzzed with an incoming text, she was glad, at least, that she wasn’t alone in her ridiculousness.

  I miss you.

  Mallory smiled at the way her heart fluttered into her throat when she saw the message, and she ducked her head further to try to keep it somewhat hidden from any curious eyes around her as she replied, I miss you too, darling. I take it your class over?

  Little ellipses in a gray bubble appeared immediately. Yep. Am on my way down to Eve for a massage now. Oh! And I thought you’d find this interesting—rumor has it that Nina never came in today.

  Mallory arched a brow. Very interesting. Did Matt or Gabs say anything about what happened at the party after we left? She hit send as she felt the train began to slow, and looked up to spot the signage in the tile beyond the window that identified her stop.

  She slipped the phone into her coat pocket as she began gathering her things—besides her violin and briefcase, she had also packed her kit bag with things for the next day since she would be staying at Addison’s—and grabbed the bar beside her seat as she braced for the train to stop. Her phone buzzed with another alert as she was exiting the train, but she didn’t dare try to look at it until she was aboveground and had enough room about her to not have to worry about accidentally hitting anyone with her bags.

  Lots and lots of drinking. Mallory chuckled when she saw Addison’s response to her question. And apparently, your conductor and Nina left at the same time. They think. Like I said: lots and lots of drinking. It’s hangover city around here today.

  Mallory glanced up at the crossing signal and then turned her attention back to her phone as she stopped at the corner to wait. Honestly, from the way they were acting around each other during the little bit of time she saw them together at the party, she wasn’t all that surprised. Nina and Clara being a thing, as Addison had put it, wouldn’t be nearly the scandal it would have been even fifteen years ago, but it just didn’t seem Nina’s style to do something so openly when investors and reporters were around. Did they, now?

  The signal chirped that it was safe to cross, and she fisted her phone in her pocket to keep her hand warm as she let the wave of people around her carry her across the street and toward the main entrance of the Barbican. Her phone buzzed again just as she stepped inside, and she nodded hello to the security guard as she pulled it from her pocket.

  She began making her way toward her office on autopilot as she reopened her message thread with Addison. M & G both admit they were pretty wasted, but they’re not the only ones whispering about it, so I think so, yeah. Anyway, enough about them. I’m going to have to get on Eve’s table soon…do I need to worry about her commenting on any unusual scratches or bruises? ;)

  Mallory pursed her lips as she pressed her thumb to the call button for the lift. Not all of their encounters had been as gentle as their first, but she also didn’t recall seeing any marks on Addison’s body when they had lingered in the shower that morning. Granted, she had been more focused on touching than looking, but she didn’t think any of the little bites she had rained on Addison’s neck and shoulder as she took her against the wall had been rough enough to mark. I think you’re safe, darling.

  She stepped into the elevator and was glad she was alone in the car when Addison’s reply came through because she couldn’t keep from laughing when she read, Shame. I was hoping for an excuse to brag about how amazing you are.

  “You’re the one who is amazing,” Mallory murmured as she typed those exact words. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” she added to herself under her breath as she hit send, “but I don’t ever want to lose you.”

  Addison’s response was quick. Guess we’re just gonna have to agree to disagree. ;) There was a pause, and then a new message appeared just as the lift stopped at her floor. I wish I could kiss you right now.

  Mallory smiled as a gentle warmth bloomed in her chest. Me too.

  “Now that’s a smile,” Will teased.

  Mallory glanced up through the doors that were still sliding open and sighed. “Sod off,” she muttered as she flipped him off.

  He laughed as he used his foot to push himself off the wall he’d been leaning against. “What?”

  She shook her head as a new message from Addison appeared on her screen. I wish we could keep going with this, but Eve’s ready for me and I don’t want to keep her waiting. Come over as soon as you’re done there. I’ll leave the door unlocked so you can just come in.

  “Just…” Mallory held up a different finger to tell him to give her a minute and brushed past him toward her office as she tapped out a quick reply so Addison would hopefully see it before her massage. I’ll be there as soon as I possibly can, darling. I promise.

  She smiled at the heart emoji she got in response not two seconds after her text went through, and took a deep breath as she forced herself to close out the app and put her phone away. She let the breath go slowly as she turned toward Will, who hovered a couple meters away to give her some privacy, and arched a brow as she drawled, “Do I want to know why you were laying in wait to ambush me?”

  He laughed and shook his head as he closed the distance between them and pulled her into a fierce hug. “You were fucking brilliant last night, Mal. I’m so proud of you.” He squeezed her tighter and then sighed as he relaxed his hold and took a step back. “I’m sorry we didn’t stay for the party, but it was late, and Siobhan was completely knackered, and—”

  “It’s fine,” Mallory interrupted as she pulled her keys from her bag and opened her office door. “You didn’t miss anything, really. Nina had us playing nice to their donors, and then Addy and I buggered out of there as soon as we could,” she said as she shoved the door open.

  “We noticed,” a new voice replied, and Mallory shook her head as she turned to see Clara striding down the corridor in her trademark black suit with a folded newspaper clutched in her right hand. The bruises on her face were more pronounced than they’d been the night before, but it was clear that she was intending to conduct their performance that evening.

  “What are you doing here? You should be at home recuperating.” Mallory shot back as she made her way into her office, knowing the two of them would follow.

  “You know I don’t sit still well. I’ll just have to reign in my movements a little, but I can stand up there and wave my arms around a bit.”

  Mallory nodded as she set her things on her desk. Clara was notorious for always having at least a half-dozen projects going at any given time so that she wasn’t bored. “Still…” She ran her hands through her hair as she turned toward her friends. The mischievous slant of Clara’s smile made her nervous, and she had a feeling it had something to do with her and Addison leaving the party early. “Should we be offended that we don’t warrant the tails you were wearing last night?” she asked, hoping to change the subject.

  Will dropped into one of the four small armchairs that made up a cozy sitting area at the front of her office and crossed his leg
s. “You have to admit the tails were pretty awesome.”

  “Cheers, William,” Clara drawled. “At least one of you has taste.”

  “I never said the tails weren’t handsome,” Mallory pointed out. “I was simply—”

  “Avoiding commenting on the fact that you and Addison hightailed it out of Hamlyn as soon as you were done sucking up to Nina’s donors?” Clara interrupted.

  Mallory arched a brow at Clara as she leaned back against her desk. “Yes, well, according to Addison, we weren’t the only ones people noticed leaving together last night, so…”

  Clara’s smirk softened into a sad smile, and Mallory instantly regretted snapping at her. “Yeah,” she muttered as she unfolded the newspaper she was holding. “That’s…I don’t know. Complicated, I guess. You know, still.”

  Mallory sighed. “I’m sorry, Clara.” If they had been alone, she might have asked her about what had happened because, according to Addison, the ballet was awash with gossip about Nina and Clara, but she knew Clara wouldn’t want to talk about it in front of Will. “I shouldn’t have lost my temper like that.”

  “I’m sorry, too.” Clara nodded. “I actually didn’t come up here to give you a hard time, though. We didn’t get a chance to really talk last night, and I wanted to congratulate you on your performance. You and Addison were incredible, Mal. Truly amazing. I knew Nina could work miracles, but watching you two together…” She shook her head as her voice trailed off, and offered Mallory the paper. “Have you seen the reviews?”

  “No. We honestly forgot about them,” Mallory confessed as she took the paper from Clara.

  Will snorted. “I bet you did, mate.”

  Mallory rolled her eyes at him, but quickly forgot to be annoyed when she saw the picture of her and Addison beneath the Times’ Arts banner that filled the entire space above the fold. The shot was of one of their many spins, where Addison was pressed against her back, one hand on her hip and the other on her elbow, their heads so close that it looked like their cheeks were touching as they moved. It wasn’t the flashiest shot the photographer could have gotten, but it captured the emotion of the ballet perfectly, and she took a deep breath as she unfurled the paper to see the article that accompanied the photograph. “Oh, wow…” she breathed as she saw Will jump to his feet in her periphery.

  They knew they had crushed the performance, of course, but knowing something was different from seeing it recognized in print.

  “The future of ballet is now. Leigh and Collingswood are flawless in the premiere of Nina Devereaux’s latest original masterpiece,” Will read aloud over her shoulder. He gave her side a squeeze. “I couldn’t agree more, Mal.”

  “Me too.” Clara smiled, the lingering hint of sadness in her eyes fading as she pulled Mallory into a hug. “You two are beautiful together,” she whispered. “I’m so happy for you.”

  “Thank you,” Mallory murmured as she wrapped her arms around Clara’s waist. She held her close and added quietly against her ear, “Addison mentioned that Nina hasn’t been to the theatre today. I understand that things between you two are complicated, but the kids over there are talking about it and…”

  Clara sighed. “I’ll check on her.”

  “Let me know if there’s anything I can do?” Mallory asked as they separated.

  “I will.” Clara pulled her phone from the inner pocket of her blazer. She gave it a flick to wake up the screen, and pursed her lips as she nodded slowly to herself. “Right. I’m going to head down to my office. Mal, pre-show meeting in thirty?”

  “I’ll be there,” Mallory promised.

  “I’ll let Max know, as well.” Clara slipped her phone back into her pocket as she turned to leave. “Be good, you lot,” she called over her shoulder as she walked out the door.

  “Who? Us?” Will called after her. “Never!” He grinned at the sound of Clara’s laughter from the corridor and blew out a loud breath as he turned to Mallory. He tilted his head toward the door and asked in a low voice that wouldn’t carry beyond the room, “Everything okay there?”

  Mallory shrugged and made her way over to the sitting area. She still had to change into her blacks, but she could do that right before heading down to Clara’s office. “No idea,” she admitted as she lowered herself into one of the chairs.

  “Well, that sucks,” Will grumbled as he took the chair across from her. He raked his hands through his hair and then let them fall to his lap with a slap. “You and Addy really bailed early on the party last night, huh?”

  Mallory sank back in her chair and nodded. “Yeah.”

  “That’s it? That’s all you’re going to say?” Will demanded with a grin.

  Mallory laughed. “You asked if we left the party early and I said yes. What else is there?”

  He rolled his eyes. “Did you go home together?”

  “We did.” Mallory smirked.

  “What is this? Twenty bloody questions?” He threw his hands in the air. “And?”

  “It was…” Her voice trailed off into a sigh, and she shook her head as she murmured, “Perfect. It was perfect.”

  “Yeah?” Will arched a brow and smiled.

  “Yeah.”

  “Good.” He stretched his leg out to give her foot an affectionate kick. “So when are you seeing her again?”

  “Tonight, actually. I’m going to head over to her place after the concert.”

  He laughed. “Can’t get enough of her, eh?”

  Mallory lifted her right shoulder in a small shrug. “I could spend every minute of every day with her, and it still wouldn’t be enough. She’s…” She took a deep breath and let it go slowly as the truth she had been avoiding admitting to herself made her heart beat slow and heavy in her chest. “She’s everything, Will.”

  Will nudged her foot again and smiled. “Yeah?”

  A small smile curled Mallory’s lips as she nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Go ahead and get that.” Addison tilted her head toward the foyer where Mallory’s mobile was ringing inside her briefcase as she grabbed Mallory’s breakfast plate and stacked it atop her own. “I’ll clean up.”

  Even though Mallory could tell from the ringtone that it was Clara calling, she still asked, “Are you sure? I can always call her back later.”

  “Very sure.” Addison smiled and pushed herself to her feet. She waggled her eyebrows as she leaned in to steal a quick kiss, and murmured, “I have plans for you later,” as she pulled away.

  Mallory laughed. “Again, darling? You’re insatiable.”

  “You know it.” Addison winked. “But seriously. I got this. Go see what’s so important that Clara needs to call you six hours before your performance.”

  Mallory arched a brow in surprise as she got to her feet. “How do you know it’s Clara?” she asked as she started toward the foyer at a pace somewhere between a walk and a jog to try to catch the call before it went to voicemail.

  “Because it’s Beethoven’s Ninth,” Addison called after her, and Mallory swore she could hear the smile in her voice. “I know I’m just a dancer, but give me a little credit here, huh?”

  “All the credit in the world, darling,” Mallory replied loudly as she dug in her bag for her phone. It had stopped ringing, of course, the moment she grabbed it, but she pressed her thumb to Clara’s name on the screen as she made her way back through the living room. She might not be able to help with the breakfast dishes while on the phone, but she figured she could at least enjoy the sight of Addison bopping about the kitchen with an epic case of bed-head in a pair of tie-dyed patterned leggings and the hoodie she had given her for Christmas. “Sorry, I just missed your call,” she said when Clara answered on the second ring. “The phone stopped ringing the moment I got to my bag.”

  “Please, don’t worry about it. I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”

  Mallory smiled and shook her head as she reclaimed her spot at the table. “We just finished breakfast. If there was anything to interrupt, I wouldn’t be speaki
ng to you right now,” she added, smiling at the way Addison laughed at the comment.

  “Fair enough,” Clara chuckled.

  Mallory relaxed back in her chair and crossed her legs as she watched Addison begin dancing lightly in place at the sink, shoulders and hips swaying elegantly to the melody that was playing in her head. “So what’s up?”

  Clara sighed. “Nothing.”

  Mallory frowned. That sigh certainly didn’t sound like nothing. “What’s wrong, Clara?” She shook her head when Addison turned to shoot her a curious look. “Did something happen? Do I need to come to the Centre early today?”

  “No. No. It’s nothing like that,” Clara replied quickly. “I was actually…god, this was a bad idea. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have bothered you.”

  Mallory shrugged at Addison, who was still watching her for some sign of what was going on, and pursed her lips as she tried to figure out what would have prompted Clara’s call. If everything at the LSO was fine, that left… “I know you said you couldn’t get ahold of Nina before the concert last night. I’m guessing you spoke to her after?”

  If she weren’t so worried about Clara, she would have laughed at the way Addison’s eyes widened in surprise at the mention of her boss.

  “Yeah.”

  Mallory closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose as she asked gently, “What happened?”

  Instead of answering, Clara asked, “How do you and Addison do it?”

  “How do Addison and I do what?”

  “I don’t know,” Clara muttered, sounding more frustrated than Mallory could ever recall hearing her. “Everything? Is the age-difference thing a problem for you two? Do the conflicting schedules really make things impossible?”

  Mallory nodded as she began to understand what was going on. “Things are still complicated, huh?”

  Clara huffed a hollow laugh. “Yeah.”

  Mallory let her hand fall to her lap as she blinked her eyes open to look at Addison, who had given up on the dishes and was leaning against the sink watching her with an adorably confused and worried look on her face.