Chapter Text
Gina Porter was used to waiting. She had waited in airports, waited on new furniture in a new home and even waited until her mother inevitably moved them again.
So sitting in the real estate agent’s office waiting on said agent was nothing compared to her old life. She had sat outside many offices like this but they were usually filled with directors and choreographers discussing if she was good enough for the role in their musical. After a while, she didn’t have to wait - they called her.
Gina shifted on the chair and tried not to be too nosy. The agent, an Ashlyn Caswell-Redonovich, really liked plants. She also decorated her walls with pictures of family, friends and musicals, if Gina was right about someone wearing a Little Mermaid costume in one photo. This seemed like a good indication that they would get along. And she needed someone on her side.
Her move to Salt Lake hadn’t been overwhelming for her. Gina had moved 15 times before her senior year and after that, her move to New York had propelled her to Broadway. She had even moved to London for a stint on the West End. But she knew little to nothing about Salt Lake. Her friend Seb was from there but he had been in London for years. So, she had to find someone to help her find a studio.
A red haired woman ran into the room just as Gina was getting nervous. “Sorry!” she said, breathless, “I was getting this into the frame and then I couldn’t get the back off so I used a spoon but I nearly broke a finger!”
Ashlyn rounded the desk holding a frame and sat down into the chair. She smiled at Gina and instantly, any nervous feelings left. Ashlyn turned the frame around. The photo was of her, a young boy, some guy and a bride and groom.
“My friends just got married last week and I wanted to get this on the wall as soon as possible.”
“That’s lovely,” Gina said, “Is that your son?”
Ashlyn grinned wider and replied, “Unfortunately not - he is my nephew though. Isn’t he cute?”
Gina agreed, his wide smile was adorable.
“These are my twins,” Ashlyn said with pride, turning the picture on the desk around. The family of four was very cute and were dressed in the same tie dyed t-shirts.
Ashlyn left the frame down on the table and sighed. “Ok, sorry. I’m Ashlyn and you are Gina Porter.”
Gina laughed. “Yes, and no worries- photo frames can be tricky.”
Ashlyn shrugged and pulled out a piece of paper from a journal by her computer. “So, you are looking for a large work space? Not a home?”
“Yes, I have a place already- a friend of my mom’s sold their house to me when they heard I was moving. I need a studio space for a dance school.”
Ashlyn narrowed her eyes and tilted her head. “Wait...I’ve seen you in something? Were you on Broadway? Chicago?”
Gina nodded, smiling. “Yes, that was a few years ago.”
“Oh my God! You were so good! I love musicals!”
“Me too! Obviously!” Gina replied. Ashlyn leaned her head on her hand. “So, are you retiring here? To teach dance.”
“Exactly. I played some amazing roles but I’m ready to move on.” She was young to do so. Only 28, she had years left to adapt her skills. She could have performed for longer. But she didn’t want to. And that had led her to here. A new start.
Ashlyn gasped suddenly and Gina startled. “Wait! I have the perfect space! It’s on the cutest street with office space as well. You will need to put mirrors up.”
“That’s fine, I’d love to see it.”
Ashlyn immediately started typing on her computer and Gina relaxed into her chair. Ashlyn seemed nice and there was a space. She was not going to make a mockery of herself, and crawl back to her friend Kourtney’s apartment in New York and hide under her covers. She was going to be a success. The school was going to be a success. She was Gina Porter dammit, she was going to make it work.
Gina stood in the doorway of the large dance space. There were windows lining the far wall and mirrors all along the left. Gina pressed her hands to her face and squealed. She was so proud of herself.
Walking into the room, the wooden floorboards shined. So much had been done and she was ready to open. Two weeks ago, Ashlyn had opened the door for her for the first time and Gina knew it was perfect. She had moved in her equipment, her computer and all the fixtures. She turned and smiled at the sign on the last wall. The Gina Porter School of Dance.
She couldn’t help it-she jumped up and down.
So many months of thinking of moving, dreaming of starting and now it was here.
Gina quickly pulled out her phone and started a video call. She knew Kourtney would be awake but it was evening in London so Seb and Carlos might have been out. Thankfully, they all answered.
“Gina!” Kourtney shouted, “Where have you been? We haven’t talked since Monday!”
Seb was holding the phone and leaning over his boyfriend’s shoulder. Carlos seemed to be concentrating on something in front of him but Gina knew he was listening.
“Guys, I wanted to show you the Gina Porter School of Dance.”
She turned the phone around and listened as her friends gushed.
“It’s so amazing!”
“Of course you pulled this off in two weeks.”
“We’re proud of you!”
She giggled and looked back at her phone. “You guys have to come visit soon.”
“Yes! I have to come back for the harvest some time,” Seb said, causing Carlos to snort. “You’ve lived in London for years but you’re still a country boy at heart.”
“Of course,” Seb replied, as if it was obvious.
Kourtney moved through her apartment until she sat down on her bed. “Gina, this move is going to be so good for you. You did it!”
Gina smiled but couldn’t help but falter slightly. Her ex hadn’t been as supportive. That was probably why he was her ex. Dating another dancer was not something she had planned on. Like her, Jack had moved around a lot and settling in New York was his choice. But she hadn’t wanted that. New York was great but had never felt like home.
Maybe it was because she had gone there at 17 and never looked back but Gina wanted a fresh start. She wanted a place that was completely her own. Her own business, her own home and nothing to do with a guy who wanted her stay on Broadway. Her friends chatted away as she looked around the space again. She knew, for the first time ever, she was exactly where she was supposed to be.
It was closing time in the office when Gina texted Ashlyn a thank you. The red haired woman responded with a lot of emojis but Ashlyn knew Gina would like that. She was already thinking of inviting the dancer to a barbecue before the weather grew colder.
Ashlyn continued to pack away her bag, thinking of dinner that evening. It was the Friday night family dinner and newlyweds Nini and Ricky had just got back from their honeymoon. A message appeared again and Ashlyn picked up her phone with a snort.
“Sorry, James had to jump in every puddle on the way home so he will need a shower. We’re gonna be a little late.”
EJ Caswell was her most loved cousin and father to her most loved nephew. Nothing that James Caswell did was wrong in Ashlyn’s eyes.
“No problem! See you then!” She picked up her bag, straightened the frame on her desk and hurried out the door.