Page 23 of Maximum Bet

My head snaps up, and I find the instructor headed our way.

“You did a great job today.”

“Thanks,” I mutter, dropping my towel into my bag. “Hip-hop isn’t really my thing, but I’m trying.”

“You’ve got potential. What’s your name?”

“Cassandra.” I reach out to shake his hand.

“Jaxon,” he replies. “So, what’s your background?”

Whitney snorts. “She’s the most ballerina that ever balleted.”

“Oh, yeah?” Jaxon smiles, his full lips stretch wide, and he shows off perfectly whitened teeth. “What’s got you taking hip-hop?”

I shift my bag on my shoulder, shrugging. “I dance with Whitney at Il Palazzo. Our director is planning to add some hip-hop pieces into the show, and if I don’t perfect the style, I doubt he’ll cast me in the numbers.”

Jaxon crosses his arms and looks me up and down. “I think we can get you there. Are you going to come to class on Thursday?”

I glance at Whitney. She nods.

“Yeah, I think I will.”

“Sounds good. The more comfortable you are, the easier the moves will be. Repetition is key. But you already know that.” Satisfied, he turns and heads to the stereo, calling out, “See you then,” over his shoulder.

As we exit the studio, I sip on my water, fighting off feelings of defeat. I’ll give hip-hop my all. If it doesn’t work out, maybe that’s my sign that it’s time to move on from dance.

“Hmm.” Sadie twists side to side, inspecting herself in the full-length mirror that’s temporarily positioned in the penthouse living room. The afternoon sun from the floor-to-ceiling windows gives us the perfect lighting for dress shopping.

“I love this on you.” Il Palazzo’s personal shopper, Jaqueline, fusses with the crisscrossed straps on the back of the long burgundy dress. “You look spectacular.” Her French accent makes her compliments feel more sincere.

Jaqueline shifts her cat-eyed glasses from her crown to her nose. A woman in her sixties with a fashion design background, she’s exactly who Sadie and I wanted to help us dress for the grand opening of Pharaoh’s Temple. The event is only two weeks away, just enough time to get alterations done.

After pinning the straps to tighten them an inch, Jaqueline steps back, admiring Sadie’s silhouette. “You’re the most glamorous mother-to-be I’ve ever seen.”

Sadie laughs, rubbing her belly. “I love the dress, but what am I going to do about a bra? The back is too low for a strapless, and God knows these tits aren’t staying up on their own.” She grabs her growing breasts for emphasis.

“Tape,” Jaqueline says with authority. “I will help you two dress that day. We will make sure everything is perfect.”

Sadie grins, sliding her hands down her sides. “It’s perfect, Jaqueline. I’ll take it.”

“Good choice. Go change and hang it up on the end of the rack over there.” She points as she shoos Sadie away and turns to me. “You’re next, mademoiselle.”

As I walk, I lift the skirt of my gold Cleopatra-inspired gown. It’s long even on my five-foot-six frame, perfect for pairing witha set of high-heeled sandals. In front of the mirror, I pose so that my leg peeks out from the slit running up the skirt.

“The waist needs tightening.” Jaqueline hovers, tugging the fabric to give my torso definition. The low V-neck of the top shows more of my breasts as she pulls. Dominic is going to love this and hate it at the same time.

“And up here, just a bit.” She pinches the thin strap holding the halter-style top behind my neck. “Voilà!”

I scrutinize each inch of the designer dress. The luxurious fabric feels like heaven against my skin, smooth and airy.

“I think this is the one,” I say, picturing the hair and makeup I want to pair with the look. “You’re a genius, Jaqueline.”

“Ah, yes, I know,” she jokes as she pins the dress. “Now, go take this off. I’ll start on alterations immediately.”

As I walk down the hallway toward the main bedroom, I catalog my growing collection of shoes. Despite the numerous Louboutins and Jimmy Choos, I can’t think of a pair that would match the dress. I’m sure Sadie would be up for a shopping trip in the next few days.

I gently hang the dress and slip into form-fitting, bootcut jeans and a black silk top that dips low in the front. I’m supposed to meet Dominic for lunch.