Winning Moves (Stepping Up 3)

Kat quickly grabbed a pink sweatshirt and tugged it down over her leggings, and stuffed various items into an oversized bag. The one remaining dancer in the room, a twentyish brunette named Carrie, approached her.

“It’s déjà vu from season one,” Carrie said. “Only I’m not the one getting the brunt of Tabitha’s ugliness. I was hoping I wouldn’t be working this closely with her when I accepted this job, but now I think maybe it’s good that I am so I can help Marissa blow them off.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you, Carrie,” Kat said, making a mental note to stop being stubborn and watch the old episodes of the TV show, sooner rather than later. “But don’t you worry. I’m pretty proactive. I’m going to get everyone playing nice and quickly.”

“I had a feeling you would,” Carrie said, “but I plan to offer Marissa my friendship and support tomorrow. Aside from Marissa, I wanted to ask you about interning—volunteer, of course—to do some choreographing with you. I did some for season two of the show, as well as some production work, and I’d really like to keep expanding my resume.”

Kat smiled. “That’s exactly how I started out. I volunteered to help out on a couple shows and proved I had a knack for this work. I’d be happy to have you do the same but let’s get you through these grueling weeks of rehearsals before the show opens first. Once it does, and we have things settled, come see me again, and you can help me prepare for the tour.”

Her eyes lit. “Really? Oh my God. That would be a dream come true. Thank you, Kat. Thank you so much. My fiancé just got a job here at the hotel, thanks to the studio. He transferred from Los Angeles. He’s made so many sacrifices for me and my career, I really want to make every second count that I’m here.”

Kat felt a twinge of regret that she and Jason couldn’t have made it work for the same reason. She chatted with Carrie for several more minutes before they parted ways.

Kat smiled to herself as she headed down the hallway, seeking Jason and the DVDs of the television show to take home with her. Carrie had called choreographing her “dream come true” when most of the dancers would call the show their dream. Kat related to that feeling and liked Carrie. It was going to be fun to work with her and watch her grow.

After a quick search of all the places Jason tended to dwell at this time of the day, Kat headed to the break area to grab a drink and call him. She was about to enter when she heard Jason and one of the production assistants.

“I’m trying to line up lunch for tomorrow’s production meeting,” she said. “We’re ordering from Joe’s Sub Machine. I need yours and Kat’s orders but I can’t seem to find her.”

“Steak and cheese for me,” he said. “Veggie with avocado and Swiss for Kat. No onion and no mayo or mustard.”

“You know Kat’s sandwich order,” came another familiar voice that made Kat cringe. Lana was in the break room and Kat had already figured out she was the Queen of Nosiness. “How very interesting.”

“Yes,” he said. “I know her sandwich order. Just like I know that you not only drink your coffee black, but that you’re a royal witch until you drink it. And you chew cherry gum that you smack in my ear all the time.”

“And now that I know that gum bothers you,” Lana declared, “I’ll never stop chewing it.”

Kat smiled at the exchange, and not just because Jason was quick witted and he’d covered her backside. It didn’t surprise her that he respected her desire to earn everyone’s respect and to keep their past quiet for a while. But the realization that he still knew her so well was what got to her and created a strange flutter in her chest.

The production assistant headed out and stopped beside Kat to confirm her sandwich order, which Kat gave a thumbs-up to before entering the break room. “I have a sudden urge for a piece of gum,” she announced, finding Jason and Lana sitting at the the table, paperwork spread out. “And this burning desire to smack it very loudly.”

Lana started laughing. “Oh, I do believe I’ll stock up and pass it out before I head to Los Angeles tomorrow.”

Jason grimaced, his strong, square jaw once again sporting a sexy light brown shadow. “I have no doubt you will.” He glanced at Kat, those deep green eyes stirring her inside, as they did all too easily, as he added, “Just remember payback is a promise when you choose to participate in Lana’s little games.”

“I’m scared,” Kat assured him with a laugh, trying not to seem too knowing about just how delicious she knew his payback to be. She sat down across from Jason and beside Lana. “So, you’re leaving us?”