Star Dancer

by Author Lisa Perkins

Genres: Contemporary Romance; Romantic Suspense; first in series

Synopsis

Marcus Leone moves from his hometown of Chicago to New York City to pursue a career in dance. He auditions for the beautiful Marissa McArthur to be her new dance partner. He's chosen to be her partner and immediately falls in love with her. He becomes a star and his life completely changes. All of his career dreams come true. But his biggest dream is to be with her.

Release date: November 26, 2020

Publisher: Lisa Perkins

Print pages: 517

Sample

Chapter 1

 

 

      I'm exhausted but I manage to load one more box into the moving truck. Mom has decided to move back to Chicago. We moved to New York three years ago from Chicago so I could pursue a career in dance. Mom thought packing up and moving away would be the best thing for me…for both of us.

         Seven years later, I'm still deeply affected by the loss of my dad. My mom wanted us to start a new life in New York and allow me to attend The New York Dance Academy. Last year, I managed to graduate from high school and the dance academy while holding down a part time job to help my mom out with the finances.

        I applied for a job at The New York Dance Theater and amazingly got the job. The director said I'm one of the best dancers that's ever been in the company. I've been working there for just over a year and have finally been able to afford my own place. My mom didn't like living in New York. Chicago is her home, but she wanted to stay here with me until I graduated and got on my feet. Now that I'm financially stable and settled in, she's decided to go back home.

         "Is that everything, sweetie?" she asks from the empty house.

       "I think so, Mom. That was the last box." I step into the house and see her looking around the room. I walk over and stand next to her and she turns to look at me with a smile on her face.

        "Do you have any idea how proud I am of you, honey? You're on your way to getting what you've always wanted. Soon, you'll be famous and have the whole world at your feet," she says.

          "Don't get carried away, Mom. I have a steady job doing what I love."

          "Marcus, you’ve always been so modest. You never give yourself credit. There are big things ahead for you. You're going to be a big star. I just know it," she says with pride in her voice.

           I can't help smiling at her declaration. Her faith in me is amazing. If only I had faith in myself.

          "Are you going to be okay all by yourself here? I feel guilty leaving you all alone," she says in a guilty voice.

           "I'll be fine, Mom. I work long days at the dance theater and that takes up most of my time. I also have my friend, Don. He lives in the apartment next door and we hang out all the time. I'll be fine," I assure her.

            "If you need me, I'm just a phone call and a plane ride away, you know," she says.

             "I know, Mom." She grabs me and gives me a hug, holding me tightly. When she releases me, I see tears running down her cheeks.

             "I love you, Marcus. And I'm so proud of you, Son," she says, her voice full of emotion.

            "I love you, too, Mom. And thanks for everything," I say, putting my arm around her shoulders.

            She takes another look around the empty house, then we walk out together and she closes and locks the door behind us.

           "Well, I guess it's about time to hit the road," she says, walking around the moving truck to the driver's side. She grabs me and gives me another hug, squeezing me tightly. I know I'll miss her, but Chicago is where she's the happiest. She releases me and I open the door of the truck for her. 

             "I love you, honey, and I'm here for you always. I'll keep you posted on my progress from the road," she says with tears in her eyes.

             "I love you, Mom. Please drive safely," I reply.

             I give her one last hug then she climbs into the truck. She wipes her eyes, starts the engine, and slowly drives away. I wave to her until the truck is out of sight.

 

                

         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

             I'm awakened by the alarm clock beeping loudly on the nightstand. It's time to get up and start my day. As I lie here trying to get awake, my thoughts are on my dad. I keep thinking about the events of the day we lost him. It still seems like yesterday. 

 

 

            I was twelve years old and off from school on summer vacation. It was a hot, late June day. I had just come home from my best friend's house and was in my bedroom listening to music. I heard the phone ring and my mom picked up after a couple of rings…

 

           As I'm sitting on my bed looking down at my boombox, I hear my mom in the doorway of my room. I look up and see her standing there with a look of horror on her face.

          "Mom, what's wrong?" I ask, setting my boombox down and getting up from the bed. I can tell by her expression that something is very wrong.

          "Marcus, there's been an explosion at your dad's factory and it's on fire. We need to go see what's going on. No one knows anything about him right now. Come on. Let's go," she says, her voice full of panic and fear.

           "Dad…” is all I'm able to say. I suddenly feel as if I’ve been kicked in the stomach. As I make my way to the car, I feel like everything is happening in slow motion. It’s like I've lost touch with reality. 

           The car ride to the factory is a quiet one. When we arrive at the scene, it is quite the spectacle. The streets surrounding the factory are blocked off and there are police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances as far as the eye can see. The factory is fully engulfed in flames and the air is filled with thick, heavy smoke.

           "Stay in the car, Marcus. I need to go see if anyone has any information about the people who were inside," she says as she gets out of the car.

            I want to know what's going on, too. I get out of the car, trying to follow her. I immediately lose her in the crowd of people, so I stand next to the car watching it all. There are so many people around...news reporters, emergency responders, families of the employees, and onlookers who want to get a glimpse of the action. The smoke in the air is overwhelming, making it hard to breathe. As the smoke gets thicker, I start to choke. I quickly get back in the car and wait for my mom to return.

             In the distance, I can finally see her trying to make her way back to the car through the crowd of people. I watch as she gets closer and closer to the car. She finally reaches the driver's side door and quickly opens it. She looks completely horrified as tears stream down her cheeks. She gets in, closes the door, then puts her head down on the steering wheel and sobs.

            "Mom, what is it?" I ask, fearing the answer.

            She lifts her head and stares at me for what seems like an eternity, then takes a deep breath before speaking. "Marcus, there were no survivors. No one made it out alive. Honey, your dad is gone.”