I'm so glad you guys like the story! Another update and don't forget that comments calm my insecure nerves!
The next few weeks were chaotic to say the least. Each day was filled with rehearsals, costume fittings, and a million other things that proceeded a DVD taping and a tour.
Everyone was pretty sure that Cori had cloned herself because she seemed to be in a million places at once. One minute she was on the main stage working with the performers and the next she would be in the costume shop with her mouth full of pins as she assisted with alterations and the next she would be in the dance studio perfecting the routines for the tour.
At first Sharon was worried that the young woman would get burned out but she seemed to thrive under the pressure. But no matter how busy she was she always made time to be there if someone needed her. She had no problem pulling someone out of rehearsal to make sure that they were doing alright and always had a smile or an encouraging word to make the day more bearable.
Even though she made sure her performers were taken care of it didn't mean that she cut them any slack either. She expected perfection and didn’t believe in wasting her time re-teaching anything. The entire cast quickly learned when she crossed her arms and frowned that someone had messed up and was about to get a very calm, yet stern lecture.
At the moment she was working with Julianne and Haley-Jo on the main stage, helping them sharpen their movements during Keith’s surfer medley.
“Ryan? Ryan? Hello, anyone home?” asked Joyce and after waving her hand in front of his face the singer finally snapped to attention.
“Huh? Oh, sorry. What were you saying?”
The redhead rolled her eyes. “I was asking if you’d seen Ruth, Phil needs us.”
“No I haven’t seen her,” mumbled Ryan while turning back to the stage.
Joyce followed his line of vision then grinned. “You like her, don’t you?”
“What? No! I mean, well…” Ryan sputtered but the blush spreading across his cheeks gave him away.
“You do like her!” squealed the musician. “Why don’t you ask her out?”
“I don’t even know what she likes to do, we’ve been so busy I’ve barely had any time to talk to her.”
“Wow, you must really like this girl.”
Ryan frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Joyce laughed and tossed back her red curls. “Ryan, I’ve never see you so hesitant to go and talk to a girl! Usually you’re the first one in line to buy a girl a drink or ask for her number.”
“I do like her, a lot, but like I said I barely know her. How am I supposed to ask her out when I don’t know what she likes?” the singer replied while looking back towards the stage.
“Well you know she likes music and can drink you under the table, just ask her to grab a pint after rehearsals.”
“And what if she says no?” asked Ryan, unable to keep the whine from his voice.
“What is this, high school?” The young woman threw her hands into the air and shook her head with exasperation. “Just ask her and see what happens. I bet she’ll say yes.” Joyce then turned and wandered off to find her sister.
Ryan sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets. Joyce was right, it was just a drink after all. What did he have to lose?
Cori worked with the dancers for another twenty minutes and Ryan managed to get her attention after she jumped down from the stage. “Cori, do you have a second?”
She nodded and took a long drink from her water bottle. “Of course, what’s up?”
Ryan rocked back onto his heels nervously for a moment. “Well, I was wondering if you’d…”
His words were cut off by Sharon appearing at Cori’s elbow. “I’m sorry to interrupt but we have a wee crisis and I need your help, Cori.” The dancer threw an apologetic look over her shoulder at Ryan before she was swept away by the blonde producer.
It was over three hours before Ryan even saw Cori again but Sharon was calm once more so he assumed the problem had been taken care of. He was getting ready for a run through of ‘Leroy Brown’ when Cori caught up to him.
“I’m sorry about earlier, what were you going to ask?”
Ryan paused then shook his head. “Nothing, it wasn’t important.”
Cori raised an eyebrow in question but didn’t press the issue. “You better get ready. Oh, and Julie bruised her shoulder earlier so be careful when you grab her arm, okay?”
Ryan nodded then grabbed his fedora and waited for his cue, forcing himself not to turn to watch as Cori disappeared into the wings of the stage.
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“You didn’t ask her?” exclaimed Joyce, her voice rising to a screech.
Ryan shrugged and suddenly found the pattern of the floor to be very interesting. “It’s no big deal, I doubt she would have said yes anyway.”
“What am I going to do with you? You’re asking her out for a drink not asking for her hand in marriage!”
By now their conversation had gotten some attention and Paul walked over to where they were standing. “What’s going on?”
“Ryan likes Cori but is too scared to ask her out,” said the violinist while crossing her arms over her chest.
“I am not scared!” protested Ryan but his words fell on deaf ears.
Paul laughed and clapped the shorter singer on the shoulder. “I knew it! I knew there was a reason behind that stupid grin of yours.” Ryan scowled and Joyce tried to cover her laugh with a cough. “Why don’t you ask her out for a drink or something?”
Again Ryan shrugged but didn’t answer. “You know what, mate? I owe you a favor or two and it’s time I repaid my debts.”
“What are you doing? Paul, don’t!” Ryan started but it was too late, the tenor was already heading over to where Cori was standing.
“Cori, it’s been a long day, want to grab a pint after rehearsals?” he asked while wrapping a friendly arm around her shoulders.
Cori glanced at her watch and chewed on her bottom lip for a moment. “Well, we have an early day tomorrow…”
“Come on, just one drink my treat.”
“Sure, I guess one drink won’t hurt.”
Paul beamed and squeezed her shoulder. “Great! I’ll pick you up at 7:00, okay?”
Cori nodded and Paul walked back to where Ryan and Joyce were standing. “See? Nothing to it.”
“But how does that help me?” asked Ryan. “You’re the one who asked her.”
“But you’re the one who will be going,” replied Paul with a gleam in his eye.
“Why do I let you talk me into these things?” groaned Ryan while shaking his head.