Closer to the Heart (The Heart Trilogy Book 3) (11 page)

Chapter 16

It was the day of the audition and after leaving Jester in the care of Pam and Peter, Charlie hurried to gather her bag and ticket together. Julia had cried off due to the flu so Charlie had booked a ticket for the train and called a taxi to drop her off. Inside her stomach flipped over and she raced to the bathroom and threw up the small amount of breakfast she had eaten. She remembered how Mitchell had told her she always danced better after she had been sick on her nerves. Closing her eyes she saw him standing there, beckoning with his finger.

The taxi beeped outside and broke her reverie, and she hurried downstairs and out. She climbed in and enjoyed the short trip to the station with her headphones in. Feeling nervous in the crowds she looked at the departures board to check her train times and then checked her ticket. Fuck, her train had been cancelled and the next available one to London would be too late. Panicking she sat down and pulled out her phone in desperation. She could see if Peter would take her
.
Or perhaps Shelley and Kyle would. Her fingers hovered over their numbers.

Then Zach popped into her head, his brooding dark eyes and better still his fast Ferrari. She found his card in the side pocket of her bag and tapped in the number. Taking a deep breath she let it ring.

“Charlotte, what do I owe this pleasure so early on a Saturday morning?”

“I need a favour, a big favour”

She quickly filled him in on the situation and then waited in silence. The only sound was his even breathing at the other end of the line.

“So?” She queried, sick to her stomach that he would say no.

“I hope you can pay me for this”

“Anything, just say you can” she begged.

“Wait for me outside the station, I'll be there in ten minutes”

“Thank you” Charlotte said, but the phone was dead.

She bought two coffee's one black and one white as she really didn't know what he liked, apart from JD on ice! Clutching the cardboard cups she went outside to wait, soon enough his blue Ferrari screeched into the car park and stopped next to the curb. The window lowered and he peered out, shades covered his eyes.

“Pop your bag in the boot, its open”

“Thanks” she stammered, feeling nervous again, but not about the audition.

She shrugged her coat off at the same time before struggling to open the passenger door without spilling the coffee. Zach reached across and pulled the catch and then took the cups from her grasp. With them settled in the console he waited for her to fasten the seatbelt before he pulled away from the kerb.

“I bought you a coffee for the journey but I didn't know whether you liked Black or White?”

“Black thanks” he said, as she swapped the cups around and took a sip from the other.

Once on the motorway he put his foot down and they sped along in silence.

“Shall I put some music on?” Zach asked, casually flicking through the screen to a certain track. The music from New Year’s Eve filled the confines of the car. Charlotte felt heat flame in her cheeks at the memories.

“I know you like this track”

She nodded and tried to stem the blush by closing her eyes and thinking of the steps in her routine.

“So what’s the auditio
n
for” Zac
h
continued

“The lead in the stage version of the film Dirty Dancing”

“Can't say I've seen it, enlighten me”

An hour of the journey flew by as Charlotte recounted the storyline to a film she had watched more times than she could count. Her voice stumbled a little at the end as she closed her eyes and thought of the way she had danced with Mitchell.

“Is there any chance you can play the song a few times so I can get into the right mood” Charlie asked, tentatively.

“Sure, plug your iPod in, there is a connector in the centre” Charlotte plugged it in and found 'Hungry Eyes' by Eric Carmen. Feeling the familiar strains trickling into her ears she felt her heartbeat increase.

Zach listened to the song an
d
lyrics
,
with Charlotte seemingly in a trance like state in the passenger seat. He snuck looks at her. Even in jeans and a jumper he felt hunger for her, imagining her legs wrapped around him. After the third listen she switched it off and plugged his music back in. The build-up of the city started outside the window and Charlotte admired the way Zach confidently weaved between the heavy traffic. The theatre they needed was just on the outskirts of London and he parked at the far end of the car park.

“So what are you going to do while I'm auditioning?” She asked, as he helped her retrieve her bag.

“I thought I'd come in and watch, since you told me I was a voyeur” he smirked. The panic rose inside her but trying to appear calm she nodded and smiled.

“Ok, you can carry my bag then”

H
e
laughed
,
a deep throaty sound that made her long to silence it with a kiss. But as she had sworn off men in a bid for ambition she suffocated her desire and turned her mind to dancing.

For an audition it seemed relatively quiet of people when they stepped inside. A girl at the desk took her details and pointed her in the direction of the changing rooms and a room she could warm up in. She turned her gaze on Zach and his beautiful brown eyes.

“Are you a dancer too?” She flirted.

“No I'm Charlotte's agent” he replied, smoothly. Even though she was part way down the corridor Charlie had to struggle to contain her indignation at his response. She entered the changing room and said hello to the other girls there.

The nerves fluttered back into life amid her ribcage as she changed and then with her headphones in she crossed the corridor and found the practice room empty. She warmed up and then she heard Mitchell's voice in her head. 'Do it for us' on the first strains of the melody. She moved smoothly over the wooden floorboards and as she sank down at the end she found her cheeks wet with tears. Five minutes later she was waiting in the wings of the stage. Then her name was called and she took her position and waited for the music to start.

Finishing her routine she heard clapping and she stepped to the front of the stage as Arlene Phillips stood up.

“That was outstanding Charlotte, I'm so glad you came”

“Thanks Ms Phillips”

“We will contact you with an answer next week”

Leaving the stage Charlie paused and watched the next girl begin her routine. Was she good enough? Could she still dance their dances without him? Her love for Mitchell soared inside her and made her heart leap. The passion lingered as she undressed and let the hot water run over her body. Her nipples stood pert and felt the patter of water ignite other desires within her.

In the corridor Zach was waiting for her.

“Fabulous” he breathed, wrapping her in his arms before she could object. He felt her heart beating wildly against his chest and looking upon her face, the sparkle from her eyes almost blinded him.

“Let’
s
go and celebrate” he declared.

“What for, I haven't got the part yet?”

“Because in my eyes you have”

His enthusiasm was infectious as he grabbed her bag and free hand and they hurried out the door. A few other dancers were in the car park and heads swivelled at the roar of the engine as they pulled out and drove deeper into London.

Zach set his phone on speaker and rang a number.

“Hi Sis, any chance I can park at the flat?”

“Hi Zach, so what brings you to London without letting me know in advance?”

“Helping a damsel in distress, if you can bag us a table at your restaurant I will love you forever” Zach continued, smoothly.

“Ok, I think I can squeeze you into a corner just out of curiosity” she laughed “see you later little brother”

“Less of the 'little
'
Lexie” he replied, his tone light-hearted and showed Charlie a new side to this hard faced, charming, womanising business man that she had cast him as.

They drove through a maze of streets until Zach stopped in front of some grand gates. He tapped in a number on the keypad and they rolled open to let them pass. The car dropped beneath the building into an underground parking lot, each bay numbered as per the flat they belonged too. Stopping in bay 19 he turned to Charlie.

“Don't suppose you have a dress with you?”

“No just the clothes I'm wearing and my leotard and leggings”

“Ok, we'll dump your bags in the flat and then go shopping for something more suitable”

“Look, I'd be more than happy to eat somewhere casual as I've only got £100 on me in cash and not much more in my bank account”

She followed him into the lift as he pressed 19 and the doors closed.

“I'll treat you”

“No, if you let me dance in March I'll pay you back from that” she asserted.

“We'll see” he murmured, as the doors opened into a plush, elegant hallway.

“Wow” Charlie mouthed, struck by the opulence. He put her bag down and reached for her hand.

“The views from the lounge ar
e
amazing
,
I never get tired of seeing them”

He was right with his last comment as Charlotte looked out over the Thames.

“It’
s
breath-taking”

“Yes, I love city life
,
it’
s
so vibrant and alive”

“So why didn't you open a club here”

“Too much competition it’sbetter to be a big fish in a small pond
!
Bu
t
he
y
never say never”

He glanced at the large clock on the wall and turned back to her.

“Come on, let's shop”

Out on the street they walked together until they reached a row of designer boutiques.

“Oh Zach, these are far too expensive. I can find something nice in Top Shop or New Look”

“If you are ambitious and want to get the part in this show, you need to look the part. Become that famous dancer, be the girl that stands out”

He strolled inside the shop and waited for her to join him. The sales assistant was walking over, her admiring gaze running over his Armani suit.

“Sir, how can I help you today?”

“Charlotte needs a new dress, shoes and whatever else you think is necessary for dinner tonight. We're eating at th
e
Th
e
Firehouse”

Charlotte watched the girls eyebrows almost disappear beneath her fringe.

“Certainly, sir” she simpered, hurrying towards the back of the shop. Pulling out an armful of dresses she beckoned to Charlie to follow her into the dressing room. Zach was on his phone as she looked across at him, he smiled and nodded.

In the large changing room Charlie felt shy and awkward in the presence of this elegant woman. The first few dresses didn't feel right but the last one was perfect. It was a dark blue flapper style dress that skimmed her curves and made her legs look long and elegant.

With a powder blue set of underwear and silver sandals the look was complete.

“Do you want to show him” the assistant asked.

“No, I'd like it to be a surprise”

“Certainly miss, I will pack it up here for you”

Back in the shop Zach handed over his credit card, no question on the price and smiled at the beaming Charlotte.

She had not even looked at the pric
e
tags
,
she was in deep now, indebted to Zach and whatever he required in return.

Back at the flat Zach passed Charlie a drink. He held his usual in his hand.

“Do you need to call anyone and let them know you're stayin
g
over”

“Are we?” She raised her eyebrow.

“Yes, I've not spent money and called in a favour with my sister for no reason”

Charlie nodded nervously and emptied her glass in one gulp.

“I'll just tellPam and Pete
r
that I’ll be home tomorrow. And then I need a shower before we go out”

“Go for your life, I'll wait here until you're ready, unless you take too long in which case I'll have to come find you” his tone lowered at the end and she almost didn't catch the words.