I sniffle and step back. Her hands fall back to her sides.
“I’m okay, thanks. And thank you again for the opportunity. It was nice dancing in a company again—even if it was just for today.”
Mia rolls her eyes. “None of that pessimistic bullshit. You were excellent.” She hooks her arm through mine and continues with me toward the door. “Between you and me, I think you have an outstanding chance of being cast as Aurora.”
“Thank you.” I turn toward her. “And thank you for… all of it, I guess. Helping me get back into it, setting up the initial appointment with Dr. Michaels. You’ve done a lot for me.”
She pats my hand. “You know what? I think I need to buy you a drink.”
It’s only two o’clock. Willow will expect a phone call by three, which gives us plenty of time. I nod and let her lead me to her car. This part is familiar. I can’t begin to count how many times she’s given me a ride home or spent extra time with me in and out of the studio.
She stepped in to be a mother figure when mine was being chaotic.
I toss my bag in the trunk and climb in the passenger seat. She joins me, pulling out onto the road moments later. We head away from downtown Crown Point.
“Where did you have in mind?” I ask.
Mia glances at me, then back to the road. She doesn’t answer.
“Mia?”
Her lips press together.
“Where are we going?” My voice is as level as can be expected, I think. There’s not a trace of panic in it—although that panic is wrapping itself around my throat. Maybe I’m just working myself up over nothing. I’ve known Mia for years and years—she’s never had anything but good intentions.
“Hush,” she finally says. “You trust me, don’t you?”
“Of course.”
“I just need to swing by my house. I forgot my credit card at home this morning.”
I nod along with her words. With her story.
Watch. In ten minutes, we’ll have grabbed her credit card then moved on to a local bar. She’ll buy me a drink, we’ll celebrate a successful audition, and I’ll meet Willow and Amanda. I’m overreacting.
Except… I’m not.
Because we get to a road that goes from pavement to gravel, and the driveways get farther apart. And then we’re just on a little one-lane dirt road. Minutes later, we arrive at a log cabin. There’s a dog on a chain out front, and the porch light glows dimly.
“You live here?”
Mia exhales. “Only when I want to get away,” she says. “Come on, I’ll give you a tour.”
“Oh, no—”
“Get out of the car, Violet.” She meets my gaze for a second, then turns away to open her door. She climbs out, leaving me alone.
The dog can’t quite reach the porch. It strains toward Mia, still barking. Its tail wags, though. I swiftly hop out and follow her, skirting the dog. Spit flies from its mouth with each bark, and I find myself flinching each time, too.
I hurry into the cabin, and the door slams behind me.
I spin around.
Mia stands in the shadows, her arms folded over her chest. “Had a good little chat with Shawn, did you?”
“What?”
“After all I’ve done for you, Violet? You were going to leave me?” She steps forward.