All for the Mirrorball

Chapter 9 - Been Better, Carrie Ann

After her shorter-than-usual workout in the morning, Ilona called an uber to the studio.

"You have a good night, Miss Maher?" Phil, the parking attendant, asked her.

"Yes, sir! Just being careful and leaving my car here after celebrating a bit." She gave him an easy smile as she walked over. "I thought I'd treat you to your iced chai this morning."

"I'll tell you, your parents raised you right, girl. Thank you."

She walked into rehearsal with a big smile on her face. "Hey bestie," she sing-songed as she walked in.

"Hey, hey!" Alan called back.

"I got you a large today - figured we could all use a little extra pep," Ilona said as she handed over his coffee.

"Have I told you you're my favorite?" He pulled her in for a hug.

"Don't let that get out, or all the girlies will get jealous," she said with a laugh.

"I think they know, Ilona. They're all team Cut-a-Rugby!"

They brought that goofy energy to their filming session. They decided that hair metal night called for them to pump some iron, so they planned a gym sesh they'd film Wednesday afternoon.

This week's package was upbeat, and they got through it quickly, knowing they'd get extra minutes filmed for the show when they were at the gym.

"I can't wait for our hair metal night costumes. It's going to be hot," Alan commented once they were alone again.

"And you in a wig should be especially good," Ilona agreed. She decided not to bring down the vibe by bringing up her jive-related apprehension.

That morning's rehearsals felt even worse than the usual first-day difficulties. She knew it was just because it was a lot of steps to get down, though, and she had a lot of experience with practicing footwork. Wednesday morning was much the same.

"Hey, let me pay you back for the million coffees you've bought me," Alan posed during one of their breaks. "I can buy us the most expensive lunch you've ever had."

Her interest was piqued. She raised an eyebrow at him, silently asking for more information.

"Erewhon?" he asked. His grin lit up his face.

Ilona couldn't hold back the laugh that bubbled out of her. "You are such an LA girlie. I love that journey for you." She went to grab her bag. "Studio lunch?"

"Oh, no way!" He looked affronted. "Give me a little more credit." To her confused look, he said "Picnic lunch!" His joy was infectious. They practically skipped down the block.

They spent upwards of $200 on their special lunch, but had a blast picking out all of the things to try, and got some good laughs in at the insane prices.

He took her to his favorite nearby park and laid out the picnic blanket he'd packed for the occasion. He could tell that she needed a real break.

"So, be honest - how often do you spend a huge amount of your check at Erewhon?" She asked after trying the famous spicy-tuna-roll inspired sandwich.

"Maybe more often than I'd care to admit," he said, grinning at her, "but mostly just special occasions... except for those ridiculously expensive smoothies."

"You do seem to have an addiction to those smoothies, I fear." She was feeling much lighter than she had in rehearsal. "So what's today's special occasion?"

"I'm treating my favorite dance partner - obviously," he said with a chuckle.

They returned to the studio with completely improved attitudes, and filmed great content for the show and a hilarious tik tok. They stayed late to make up for their long lunch, and things were finally feeling back on track. Their physical closeness no longer had her questioning his every thought. Alan, on the other hand, tried to quiet his own butterflies, reminding himself that they were friends - especially when they did a face-to-face pull-up on the same pull up bar.