Friday started far too early with hair and makeup, which meant they had to leave the hotel by five. She gathered Luc wasn’t an early bird, not like she’d learned to be, anyway. But appearing on morning TV would finally let the cat out of the bag. Nobody knew about her involvement in this, not even Bailey’s family, as per their contract. Even Poppy only knew that Bailey had received an unexpected dancing opportunity which meant she needed to fly east immediately. Dancers knew such opportunities were rare, and as they often resulted from injury or illness to another dancer, they needed chasing down immediately. A fresh swell of appreciation rose for her friend for being so quick to say yes to covering her classes, few questions asked. She couldn’t wait to return to her apartment, where Poppy was staying, and finally spill the beans.
The rush of the morning saw them share a taxi with Coco and Jason, and they arrived at the studios in front of an audience.
Hair and makeup were done, costumes were tweaked—another blingy number for her, hot pink this time—and they were microphoned up and sent to take their seats on the stage.
She sat in the row behind Luc, and she watched him roll his shoulders as if trying to release the tension. After this morning’s national broadcast, there’d be no hiding anymore. She leaned forward and patted his shoulder. “It’s gonna be fine,” she murmured.
He exhaled. “I sure hope so.”
Miguel, one of the male pro dancers, smirked and shook his head as she settled back in her seat, saying in an undertone, “He does not seem like he wants to be here.”
“It’s been a little sudden, and I think it’s taking time to sink in.”
He nodded, his voice still low. “You two took the place of Carlos and Lesley, didn’t you?” He whistled. “They got too hot too quick, if you know what I mean.”
Oh, she knew. Coco had spilled the tea last night. Lesley had been part of the pros for years, even marrying a dancer who competed on a US version of this show, and Carlos was a married celebrity comedian known for having thousands of YouTube subscribers. They’d met, their first dance quickly flaming into more which the producers had noted and raised the alarm bells. Then the media had rushed in, rumor-mongering over their relationship after they’d been spotted together at a dance studio, which had led to negative whispers about the show. To avoid being cancelled, the show’s executive producers had needed to hurry the release date, and replace the celebrity and pro, hence the rush to get things done this week, then begin the live performances next weekend. Knowing that had helped with understanding the haste with which all had been arranged.
“Well, it’s good to have you here, kid. Break a leg.” Miguel gently patted her arm, in a way like her friend Mark used to do. She smiled, returning to face the front, catching the way Luc seemed to notice as he shifted too, his heavily tattooed arms now crossed.
The heat of the lights and instructions from the warm-up guy to smile and give big energy put paid to further reflections, and she did her best to look happy while she prayed Luc would do the same. From what Coco had said, Bailey needed to capitalize on her relative youth and looks, and play up her work with the underprivileged dancers in her community. Luc also needed to appear amiable, not surly or cocky, and she hoped he’d find the right balance of endearing clumsiness and have-a-go confidence to win audience votes. They needed to get to round three, if not further, in order for her to get the money she needed.
She glanced at the other members of the cast. There were a couple of actors, an ex-football player she’d noticed Luc had gravitated to that first night at the cocktail party, two singers, and an author. She bet they could take the author and the eighties one-hit wonder singer, at least.
Francesca McLinty, one of the Good Morning, Canada breakfast TV anchors, walked onto the set, waved to the seated guests as an assistant spoke to her, then took her spot on the sound stage. A producer counted down, silence fell, then the intro music was piped across the room.
Francesca beamed. “Welcome back, and we’re so excited to be introducing you to this year’s cast of Dance off Canada!”
Cue cheering and applause. Bailey grinned and clapped. This was actually kind of fun. More fun because she strongly suspected she’d not have to say too much, and could sit here in the second row and smile while the spotlight was on the celebrities seated in front.
“We’re so excited to have this next season starting next weekend, and there’s no one more excited than Dance Off’s host, Jenna Bellameade.”
More cheering. Jenna was a ballroom legend, having won world titles back-to-back a decade ago. She’d been hosting the show for all five seasons, alongside Peter Drewe, another former dance pro.
The morning show hosts interviewed Jenna, then the judges, Marco, John and Cynthia, each of whom were legendary dancers of their day. Marco was a flamboyant European, John was an intense choreographer, and Cynthia was the “rose between two thorns” as she often liked to say, and the one who always sandwiched critiques between compliments.
Bailey had been learning what they liked, listening to Coco, and watching videos of previous seasons to learn how they were likely to judge. Marco wanted passion, John was the technical guru, while Cynthia was all about how well the celebrity sold the story. Bailey glanced at Luc. She wasn’t sure how much story he’d be up for telling, and she was pretty sure his technical skills were close to zero. She hoped the passion he brought to hockey would somehow translate to the dance floor.
“And we’re so excited to see all these fabulous celebrities! Wow.” Francesca, the morning host, glanced around. “Put up your hand if you’re just a little nervous about dancing on national television.”
Bailey raised hers, while Luc raised both of his.
“I’m a little concerned about the dancers who are pros who are raising their hands,” Marco said, as everyone laughed.
Francesca drew her microphone over to where they sat. “Now I’m here with Booker Prize winning author, Kate Fortescue. Kate, tell us, why do something like this?”
Kate leaned forward, as Miguel straightened. “I’m at an age when I want to try new things, and dancing is something I’ve always enjoyed watching others do but have never had the confidence to do myself. I’m hopeful that after this experience I’ll be more confident.”
“You will be, baby,” Miguel called, to a general round of laughter.
Francesca smiled. “You’re partnered with Miguel, who won two seasons ago, so you’re in with a good chance.”
“I hope so.”
Bailey’s stomach tensed as Francesca moved to Luc. “Now, seated beside Kate, we have a treat.”
“Yes, we do,” Marco called, with a solid lip smack.
Bailey kept her smile pasted on, as she internally cringed over what Luc must be thinking.
Francesca laughed. “Known for dodging defensemen and scoring fast goals, can hockey star Luc Blanchard shake it on the dance floor as well as he can skate on ice? Luc Blanchard, welcome. Tell us, how are you feeling?”
Bailey held her breath.
Luc cleared his throat and leaned forward. “When I got the call I kind of freaked out, but I’m always glad for the opportunity to shine a light on those charities that support people with cancer, even if it means I have to look like a fool.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll be great,” Francesca soothed. “And I’m sure being a top athlete you’ll bring some advantages to the dance floor.”
Luc shrugged. “Maybe. It’s cool that it’s live, because I’m used to that pressure-filled environment and I love feeding off the energy in the room. I’ve been training in the offseason, so my cardio will be good. I just need to work on my rhythm—and everything else.”
“I’m sure your partner will help with that. Let’s give it up for our newest dance pro Bailey Donovan.”
Bailey’s stomach tensed, but she pushed past it and waved, grinning wider.
“How are you feeling Bailey?” Francesca asked. “I noticed you put up your hand before.”
Bailey nodded. “I love dance, and I’m a bit nervous about doing this for the first time, but I’m also really excited to be here. I think it’s wonderful to see people step into something they thought was too hard and end up feeling like they’ve learned a new skill.”
