“Hello, is this Bailey Donovan?” an unknown female voice asked.
“Yes. With whom am I speaking?”
“My name is Joanne Mascieski, and I’m a producer with a television show called Dance Off Canada. We’ve had a little snafu with our upcoming season, and I was told by Coco Flintoff that you were available to step in as one of our dancers.”
Bailey’s mouth fell open. Thank goodness this was a phone call and not video. “Um, I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
“We’re a celebrity dancing competition, like Dancing with the Stars, but on a smaller scale.”
“I know the program.” She watched it when work permitted, thanks to Coco’s performances. She’d been one of the pro dancers these past three seasons. “I just don’t understand what you mean about me being a dancer.”
“We pair our celebrities with professional dancers, and—”
As Joanne continued explaining the obvious, Bailey’s heart picked up in pace. Had Coco seriously put her name forward as a professional dancer? Was Coco crazy? Bailey was a professional, and yes, even taught ballroom, but this was on a whole other level.
“—and thanks to their affair being exposed, we now need another couple pronto, and we have the man, just need the dancing partner. Coco was sure you’d agree, especially as you’re local.”
“I’m sorry, when is this supposed to start?”
“We’re shooting promotions in two days, so you’d need to fly to Toronto tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? Are you kidding?”
“Look, I know it’s short notice, but we’re desperate.”
Way to go to make a girl feel valued.
“And because we know it’s short notice we’re prepared to offer you five grand upfront if you sign up today.”
Breath hitched. “Five grand?” Five thousand dollars would go a good way to paying off the bank loan.
“Plus all expenses, plus another five if you make it to week three, and another ten if you make the final.”
She closed her eyes. Twenty thousand meant she’d almost be in the clear. “How long is the time commitment?”
“Five weeks, plus this next week of promotions and rehearsals before the premiere the following weekend. You’d be starting behind the others, which is why we’re desperate to get this happening now.”
“But where? Are you talking Toronto?”
“We’re shooting the weekends in TO but the weekday rehearsals are in Winnipeg, which is where he’s based. You’re there too, aren’t you?”
“Are you saying I could use my studio here for rehearsal?”
“Absolutely. And that’d be some nice exposure for you, too.”
Yes, it would.
But how could she just up and leave her students, her commitments, for something that seemed little better than a dream?
Just say yes, Coco had said. Lord?What are You saying?
Seconds ticked away.
Then, “I understand. Never mind. We’ll find someone else—”
“No, I’m interested,” Bailey’s words spurted. “But I’ll need to see a contract.”
“We sent one already. Coco gave us your email address.”
“What?” She switched to her email app, and sure enough, an email with a bunch of attachments sat there from one Joanne Mascieski, producer with Dance Off Canada.
Oh my goodness. Oh my stars. Her chest tightened. This really was real.
“So, can I lock you in?” Joanne’s voice was tinny.
Bailey lifted the phone to her ear. “Um, I need to check the contract, and I’d need to figure out my dance school schedule, but I think so.”
“Oh, thank goodness!” Joanne exclaimed. “Look, I know it’s short notice, so if you need us to reimburse you, just say the word.”
“I will need to reschedule classes, and get another teacher in.” Maybe Poppy would be okay to return. Especially if she could count as an “expense”.
“Like I said, we’re willing to negotiate.”
And now would be the time to negotiate, while they were so eager for her to join up. “I’ll need to send you my projected expenses,” she dared.
“Send it. If it’s within reason, we’ll pay it straightaway. We need this to happen now.”
What would they consider reasonable? Canada’s premier TV network wasn’t likely as flush as some US networks, although they seemed to find enough money to pay big time for sports like hockey. She rolled her eyes. “I’ll check over the contract as soon as possible.”
