Off Balance (Ballet Theatre Chronicles Book 1) Read Free

summer intensive, all those kids acting hyper and emotional.”
    “Yes, indeed.” Alice paused to scrutinize her bobbed chestnut hair in the mirror, smooth it into place. “And of course the company members are returning in full force this week, right?”
    They both nodded eagerly. “Oh, everyone’s here now,” High-voice exclaimed.
    “So it would seem. Even the new girl.”
    Before they could stutter another apology, she turned, picked up the offending letter and headed toward the door. “Have a nice day,” she called over her shoulder.
    As for her, thanks to the news she now had to share with her boss, her day was screwed.
    The opportunity to discuss the bad news came up quicker than expected. She encountered Gil striding down the hallway just as she was returning to their offices. “Alice,” he exclaimed, “that’s no expression for a Friday afternoon.”
    He flashed her a grin, looking like a kid, which was no great stretch as he was still in his twenties. He was the boy wonder of the WCBT: a surprise hire for director of development three years earlier at the tender age of twenty-six, uncommonly successful at his job, a master of charm and persuasion. He still had the high coloring of a boy, as well—cherry lips, smooth complexion, his wide blue eyes an unlikely match with his glossy black hair. Office eye-candy. He knew this and cheerfully exploited it whenever it suited his needs.
    “Why the down face?”
    On impulse she thrust the letter at him. “Here’s something that might kill your TGIF glow. From the Prescott Foundation.”
    She watched his expression as he scanned the letter. When he winced, she knew he’d gotten to the part about the foundation’s regret in being unable to match the previous three years’ contributions of $200,000, but they were pleased to award the West Coast Ballet Theatre $10,000 for the following year.
    He finished the letter and looked up at her. “Well, shit,” he said.
    “I’m so sorry,” she muttered. “I should have seen this coming.”
    Gil shook his head. “Don’t beat yourself up. I didn’t see it coming either. I had lunch with one of the board members a few weeks back and he led me to believe we were still in good standing. And we are, really. It says here that they look forward to returning to a bigger award next year.”
    She was too disheartened to offer further reply.
    He studied the letter again and flipped it over, just as she’d done, as if hoping to find a Just kidding! postscript on the back. He sighed. “The worst part is that I have a meeting on Monday morning with Charlie and the board of directors. Things were looking so good for next year. This is going to put us way under forecast.”
    “Can you pretend like we haven’t gotten the letter yet?”
    Gil shook his head. “They might have copied Charlie Stanton.”
    “How about we sort of stretch the truth on the proposals that are out, the ones I’m almost sure will be a go?”
    “No. The best thing at this point would be to come up with a new lead. A strong one.”
    “By Monday?”
    “Sure.”
    “Well, gee.” She consulted her watch. “Two o’clock. That gives you roughly three working hours.”
    He smiled. “I’ve had bigger challenges thrown at me.”
    Something in her began to feel the tiniest bit better. “Okay, boss. Let me know if I can help.”
    “I will. Don’t go anywhere.”
    He set to work immediately. Over the next ninety minutes, she overheard him on the phone, networking with friends, business associates, service personnel, local receptionists—anyone who might serve as a point of contact for reeling in a bigger fish. He regularly checked with the city’s hotel concierges to find out what group was in the hotel, who’d stopped in the lounge for a drink. Today that avenue paid off. She heard him speaking more enthusiastically and after he hung up he emitted a loud whoop.
    Moments later he was at Alice’s office door, shrugging into his suit jacket,