See You Soon Broadway (Broadway Series Book 1)

by Melissa Baldwin

  I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter anyway, Trevor Ericson is out of my life,” I say firmly. “Let’s go get a drink.”

  I don’t mean to drink this much. I guess all the stress has finally caught up to me. I end up telling the bartender all my dirty laundry. I tell him everything about my parents’ house, Kyle, Trevor (although I change his name to Trenton) just in case there are any spies listening in, and even about my dream with Grandma. That’s when he cuts me off—I guess as soon as you mention a ghostly visit they realize that your consumption of alcohol has reached dangerous levels. Georgie takes my keys and drives me home.

  “You’re my bessst friend,” I slur as I’m in and out of falling asleep. She says something but I can’t understand it as I drift off.

  Chapter 22

  I feel exhilarated as I walk out of Penn Station. New Yorkers are rushing past me but I stand still and take it all in. The day has finally arrived for me to meet Selena, my new roommates, and visit my new studio. I’ve been so busy packing and organizing that this trip completely snuck up on me.

  When I arrive at Selena and Company, I admit I’m a little disenchanted. The outside of the building looks a bit rundown. I start to panic—what if this is a huge mistake? Thankfully, when I walk inside my faith is restored. The inside is gorgeous with big cozy couches and random chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. I approach the receptionist and introduce myself.

  “Maris Forrester, we’ve been expecting you.” She gives me a very warm welcome. “You can have a seat. Would you like a mimosa?” I kindly decline—after my drunken night out with Georgie and friends, I have sworn off alcohol for a long time, maybe even forever.

  While I semi-patiently wait, I look around the waiting area. I’m really impressed despite the fact that the outside of the building looks like a complete dive.

  “Maris?” I look up to see a really pretty woman, probably in her midfifties. “We finally meet. Come on back to my office.” I follow her down a long hallway. When I walk into her office, I’m speechless. First of all, it’s huge; you could probably fit three of Lucy’s offices inside here. And the view, there’s nothing like a New York City skyline view.

  “So, as I told you on the phone, Miranda had sent me the video of your performance. Ah-mazing! We’re very fortunate that you’ve agreed to join our team here.” I zone out as Selena gives me the rundown of her studio. I don’t want to tell her that I’ve already done my research so I’m already very familiar with the history.

  “Ready to see your office?” I come back to reality even though I don’t really care about what my office looks like. After spending so many years in a closet-office, I have learned to live with anything. I follow her down another hall. “Here you go.” She holds open the door to a room that looks only a tiny bit smaller than hers, and once again the view is fantastic.

  “Um, this is mine?” I ask.

  “It sure is.”

  I think I might cry but before I have a chance we are interrupted.

  “Are you Maris?” a really tall girl with a thick New York accent asks. “I’m Emma.” For a minute I’m completely lost until I remember that Emma is going to be one of my new roommates.

  “Yes. Hi, Emma.” I feel totally stupid that I couldn’t remember who she was.

  “You’re coming to see the place tonight, right?” she says while looking at her phone. “I will be there until eight and Angie should be home most of the night. Text when you’re heading over.” She walks away.

  “Nice to meet you,” I call.

  “You, too.” Okay, so she’s not really into small talk. I’m sure we will get to know each other better once we’re living together.

  I spend the rest of the afternoon with Selena. She goes through the student profiles and asks me to make a list of students I would be interested in mentoring. I really like the way she runs the studio—the students are mentored as she calls it (not taught) by all of the instructors because she feels that they can learn something from each one of us. Ash would absolutely hate it here.

  When I’m finally on my way to my new apartment, I start to get really anxious. I’m trying not to worry about Emma and her disinterest in meeting me. She was obviously just busy. When I arrive, I take a deep breath and plaster a goofy smile on my face. I really need to figure out a way to get rid of this goofy smile because these New Yorkers will eat me alive with this smile.

  I knock several times on the door and nobody answers it. I double-check my phone to make sure I have the right address. I knock again a little harder this time. I’m about to call Angie or Emma when the door flings open.

  “You Maris?” the girl whom I assume is Angie asks. I nod my head. “Sorry, I was in the shower and I don’t know what Emma’s doing. Come in.” I follow her in and look around at the very small apartment. They have it decorated nicely but it’s definitely not Monica’s apartment from Friends.

  “I’m Angie,” she says cheerfully. She shows me around the apartment, which takes a total of ten seconds and finally takes me to my room. To say it’s small is an understatement. My new office is bigger—maybe I should just sleep there. I should be able to fit my bed and dresser in here, at least I hope.

  “So, rent is due on the first, you have to let the water run for about five minutes to get the hot water, and we do a have an honorary pet mouse—we named him Mickey.”

  My heart sinks at the thought of mice and who knows what else. What am I doing here? Angie can read my face. “Don’t worry, you will get used to Mickey. Welcome to New York,” she announces theatrically.

  I chat with Angie for about an hour, mostly about the studio. Angie teaches vocal, piano, guitar, and she also teaches modern dance at the nearby dance school. She has a strong passion for the arts, which I can totally relate to. Emma finally comes out of her room, she quickly says good-bye on her way out. Angie explains that she sings at an upscale lounge/bar in SoHo.

  “She’s trying to make it big, if you know what I mean,” Angie says knowingly. “We all know how that goes though.” She giggles

  “Yeah.” I agree.

  “I give her credit, though, she hasn’t given up yet. I gave up on that dream a long time ago.”

  I smile and look around the apartment. I really hope I made the right decision.

  When I return to my hotel, I’m exhausted both mentally and physically. I will need to get used to all the walking. I guess I can count this as my new workout plan. I call Georgie to tell her about my day, and of course it’s no surprise that the only thing she can focus on is Mickey the mouse. I should have never told her about that, now she will probably never want to visit.

  “Are you sure you still want to go? Or maybe you should keep looking for a place to live?” I wish she wouldn’t say things like that, it makes me second-guess my decision and that stresses me out.

  “On another note, I have to tell you something,” Georgie says. I don’t like her tone. “I saw Trevor out last night. He came over to me and was asking about you. I told him you were in New York checking out your new job and apartment.”

  I don’t know why but this really pisses me off. Who does he think he is to be asking about me? He made his feelings very clear.

  “Whatever.”

  “I know you aren’t going to like me saying this but I think he really cares.” She’s absolutely right; I don’t like it. I’m really glad I’m not sitting next to her right now or I would slap her. Georgie can’t possibly be as stupid and naïve as I am.

  “Hmm . . . let me guess. Did Trevor use his charm and winning smile to make you believe that? He’s really convincing, trust me.” I guess Giselle was right. Gag! I can’t believe I actually agreed with something Giselle said.

  “No. He didn’t seem like he was putting on an act. In fact, I felt like he really meant it. He said he was proud of you for following your dreams.” I’m so tired and I really don’t want to discuss this anymore, so I make up an excuse to get off the phone. I know Georgie means well and I’m sure th
at there’s a part of Trevor that does care, but my pride is so hurt and I just can’t get past that, at least not right now.

  Regardless, I can’t waste any more energy on this—I have a bright new future in the most amazing city in the world and I’m not going to worry about what Angie says. I look out the window at all the bright lights. She may have given up but I’m not going to. I’m going to make it here.

  ~*~*~

  “Really? A good-bye party?” I’m busily packing some boxes when Georgie rushes in with her big plans for a good-bye party. After visiting my new apartment, I realized that there was no way I would be able to bring all my stuff. Thankfully, Cassie is letting me store some things in her garage.

  “Of course,” she exclaims. “Did you really think I would let you skip town without a party?” She’s right. I should have known better.

  “I guess not, but you have to pinky promise that you won’t go crazy.” She smiles and raises her eyebrows, but she still manages to hold out her pinky.

  “You’re leaving all this stuff at Cassie’s?” she asks. “Is your apartment really that small?” She really has no idea. I just hope I don’t get claustrophobia.

  “Yes, it is. So don’t judge.” She quickly shakes her head but I know she already started judging as soon as she heard about the pet mouse.

  “I will definitely miss this place and my huge closet.” I look around feeling emotional again. “But I don’t plan on living in that tiny apartment forever. I have plans and goals, and it’s just a temporary situation.” I think I’m trying to convince myself as well. Georgie wanders around my room touching everything. That used to drive me crazy, but I think I’m going to miss it. She picks up Grandma’s journal and starts flipping through it.

  “You know the more I think about it, it really is ironic that yours and Trevor’s grandmothers were best friends.” I give her a dirty look. “Please don’t start in with this again.”

  “Sorry.” She scrunches up her face. She’s such a liar because I know she’s not sorry. A few minutes later, she leaves to take a call from Dr. Scott. I need to remember to thank him the next time I see him for pulling her away from this conversation.

  I make my way back to my park. I’m really going to miss this place—hopefully I will find a new place to sing and relieve my stress.

  “I’m proud of you.”

  I turn around and I feel like my heart could burst. “Grandma, you’re back!”

  She laughs. “I never left.”

  “I’m doing it. I’m going to New York,” I tell her. She smiles and nods her head slowly. “I know, my darling. Just keep following your heart.”

  “I don’t know what you mean by that. I’m not in a relationship anymore.” I still don’t know if she is referring to a relationship when she talks about that.

  “You will figure it out. I have to go now but remember I’m always with you.” She starts to walk away but I try to stop her. Somehow deep down I know this is the last time I will be seeing her.

  “I love you, my darling.”

  I sit up and sure enough I’m back in my bed. When I turn on the light, I find Grandma’s journal open on the nightstand. I read the last entry again. I smile to myself—for the first time in a long time I’m confident that I’m making the right choice.

  Chapter 23

  “I told you not to go crazy,” I yell at Georgie. We’re back on the fabulous rooftop thanks to Liv and of course Georgie who went overboard planning my good-bye party.

  “You know me better than that.”

  She’s absolutely right, I do. Even though I act like I wish she didn’t go to all the trouble, I’m so happy to see everyone—my parents, Cassie, Mark, Sophie, Liv, Tom, Dr. Scott, and even a few of my students, including Mimi. I go around the room visiting and thanking everyone for coming.

  “This is a hell of a party, much better than that party I had to go to for my birthday.” I turn around to see Beatrice. I give her a huge hug.

  “Thank you for coming.” I do a scan of the room and thankfully Trevor is nowhere to be seen. She must also be able to read minds just like Cassie.

  “He dropped me off.” She smirks. I give her a questioning look. “Trevor, he dropped me off,” she clarifies. “He said to wish you luck.”

  “Tell him I said thanks,” I say shortly. I don’t even bother to lie and say I wasn’t looking for him. Luckily, my mom comes over to see Beatrice, which saves us from the awkwardness. I feel kind of guilty; maybe I’m being harder on Trevor than I should be. I always hated the fact the Kyle wasn’t supportive of my dreams but Trevor comes along and is supportive and I get mad at him. Of course I was more upset that he rejected me and he made me feel like he didn’t care and like I was just another woman for him to play games with.

  “Right, honey?” Mom says, looking at me. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn’t hear her. “What?”

  “Beatrice’s grandson dropped her off, I called him and told him to come back to the party right away. He should be here, too, he’s family.” I glare at Beatrice who’s innocently looking around the room. That was a sneaky move on her part.

  “Whatever,” I say through gritted teeth. Surely Trevor would know better than to crash my party despite the annoying prodding that my mother is famous for. I stomp off in a very spoiled brattish kind of way. I remind myself that I was just feeling guilty for being hard on him, so it’s time to be a big girl and get over myself already. I guess I will have to abandon my no more drinking rule, at least for this party.

  I’m standing at the bar when Georgie rushes over to me. “Um, Maris, I swear I didn’t invite him, you have to believe me.” I take a long sip of my (second) drink. “I know, you can thank Beatrice and my mother for that one.” She lets out a sigh of relief.

  “It’s fine, Georgie. I really don’t care that he’s here; it’s about time I get over it anyway.” Just because Trevor is here doesn’t mean that I have to hang out with him or even talk to him.

  I’m actually having a great time at this party. The DJ is fantastic and we’re all dancing the night away, no doubt my three (I think?) drinks have helped to calm my nerves.

  “Hi.” I turn around to see Trevor standing there looking like a Greek god. Was he always this attractive or am I really drunk? “I was hoping we could talk.”

  He wants to talk? I hope it’s not like the last time he wanted to talk.

  “Okay.” I walk over to a quiet corner. He follows me silently. I turn around and face him and then I have complete throw up of the mouth.

  “Before you say anything, I need to apologize. I may have overreacted slightly that day at Starbucks. I was just so confused about everything and I took it out on you.” I guess he didn’t expect my apology because he opens his mouth and nothing comes out. Seriously though, was he always this hot? Why am I thinking this? It’s my own fault for drinking again.

  “Thanks.” He shifts his weight from one foot to another. “Now it’s my turn, I’m sorry for what I said. I was giving you mixed signals but only because I was scared of my feelings for you. I didn’t want to mess things up, especially after the disaster I had with Giselle. Maris, I really, really like you.” We both stand there awkwardly and I’m ignoring the fact that I really have to go to the bathroom.

  “I like you, too.” I smile.

  “So,” he says. “What do you think?”

  I hate to ruin the moment but I’m about to pee my pants. “I have to go to the bathroom,” I say. “Be right back.”

  Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh. I hurry to the bathroom with Cassie right at my heels. “What’s going on? Mom and Beatrice are over in the corner whispering as if they’re plotting to take over the world.”

  I rush into the stall as I tell her about my conversation with Trevor.

  “Interesting,” she says. “What do you want to do?”

  I come out of the stall. “I want to go to New York and do what I love.” She smiles and I can tell she’s happy with that answer.

>   “And what about Trevor?” she asks.

  I shrug my shoulders. “We’ll see, I have to go back and finish our conversation.”

  I hurry back to Trevor who’s still standing in the same spot I left him in. “Sorry, nature called.”

  We stand next to each other looking out into open sky. “You know, I think this is where we first met,” he says finally. I look around and he’s right. “Wow, I think you’re right.”

  We stand there in more silence. “So, can I come to visit you in New York?” he asks.

  I turn to face him. “I would really like that.” We move closer to each other and he cradles my face in his hands and kisses me. It’s just as amazing as I remember it being.

  I don’t know where things will go with us, but I definitely won’t mind him coming to New York and kissing me. Maybe I will finally have that magical moment on top of the Empire State Building—Georgie will be so thrilled.