See You Later Broadway: Broadway Series, #2

By Melissa Baldwin

It's finally here . . . the much-anticipated sequel to See You Soon Broadway. Maris is back!

Decisions, decisions, decisions . . .

Maris Forrester's exciting new life is not everything she was hoping it would be. Although she's happy in her new career, she's plagued with the feeling that something is still missing. Imagine her surprise when an old friend presents her with an unbelievable opportunity that could change everything. This new career sounds almost too good to be true, including the upcoming trip to London. She quickly learns that even the most perfect scenarios have their drawbacks, and when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is . . .

In addition to making a life-changing career choice, Maris realizes she has other decisions to make—whom to love and where to find happiness. What if neither is what she thought they should be?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melissa Baldwin
• Release date: Mar 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9780692886854

Book preview

Chapter One

Another downward dog? Ugh. My body is just not meant to move in these positions. And where do these names come from? Cobra, Dolphin, and something called the Happy Baby? I should have known when my sister Cassie was coming to visit me in New York that she would search for the best yoga studio she could find. Of course, it's not as good as her studio (so she says), but she insists that I need this time to clear my head, meditate, and all that other yoga lingo she throws at me.

I take another deep breath as I push my body up. I guess this yoga practice does help me clear my head a little. It certainly gives me the time to reflect on life in general and how my move to New York hasn’t turned out to be exactly what I wanted it to be. For one thing, I still haven’t been cast in a Broadway production. This, of course, could be because I haven’t auditioned for a Broadway production yet. I took a job teaching vocal and piano just to get myself here. For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamed of living here so as soon as an opportunity arose, I took it. However, it turns out my teaching job is more demanding than I expected. Not that I’m complaining, everyone knows that New York City is a very expensive place to live which means I work as much as I possibly can. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy teaching, but I miss performing.

To add to my elevated stress level, my living situation has been extremely chaotic lately. About a month ago, both the girls I was living with suddenly decided they needed to move out. Not that it's a huge loss because they weren't great roommates, but I did have to scramble to replace them. One of the girls moved in with her boyfriend, and the other couldn't handle living on her own so she moved back in with her parents so they would pay all her bills. She told me that. Must be nice.

So as of one week ago, I have a new roommate. Her name is Layla and she seems pretty normal (so far). Her uncle Jesse is a guitar instructor at my studio-- as luck would have it, we both needed roommates in a pinch, so it worked out perfectly. She's in medical sales, which means she makes decent money so thankfully she's able to cover half the bills. Needless to say, I'm down one roommate so my bills are higher, and my trusty savings account is dwindling by the day. I've thought about asking my parents for a loan, but it's been years since I've had to do that so I'm not sure how that will go over. Although from what I've seen (and heard from my sister), my parents are certainly living their best life at the beach.

Anyway, after my recent roommate experience, I've come to appreciate my best friend Georgie more than ever. She was the ideal roommate, and we had a great setup. Georgie's a nurse at East General Hospital (yes, kind of like the show) back home in Virginia, and since we didn't see each other enough to get annoyed with the other, it was glorious. Of course, I'm the one who left her, so I have no one to blame but myself.

Georgie is now happily engaged to the very handsome Dr. Scott and I couldn’t be more excited for her. I remember the many days she would come home from work swooning over him. She went all-in on winning his heart and she succeeded.

I fall back into Child’s Pose and breathe deeply. I love this position, mostly because it’s easy and I can do it.

Speaking of Georgie, she sent me a text earlier saying that she had important wedding information for me. I’ve tried everything I can think of to convince her to get married in New York City, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. Regardless of where she gets married, I couldn’t be happier for her. No one deserves happiness more than Georgie.

Half Moon Pose? Ugh. I will be lucky if I’m able to walk after this class.

I'm happy to help Georgie in any way I can with her wedding plans, the only thing I'm avoiding is the question of who I'll be bringing to the wedding with me. I guess you could say my relationship status could be defined as complicated. Granted it's not like I have time for a relationship right now anyway, but I sort of have a long-distance, friendship thing going on. I broke up with my boyfriend shortly before I moved here. He had just been promoted at his firm and had no desire to move. We went through some awkward times including him asking me to move in with him, and then a marriage proposal complete with the coveted little blue box (as in Tiffany's.)

After years of dreaming about living in the city, I finally decided to take the plunge … without him. If I didn't I would've always wondered. Shortly after I moved, Kyle began traveling here with his job so we've been spending time together again.

I never thought my love life would be so confusing. And then there’s Trevor, or rather there was Trevor. Long story short, we had a short-lived (sort of) romance, but distance and other priorities always seemed to get in the way. Shortly after Trevor and I met, we learned our grandmothers were best friends in the 1940s. You can imagine my surprise when we unexpectedly met at a party last year and later found out this information. Because of this connection, I wondered if fate had brought us together, however now I’m pretty sure it was just one of those crazy coincidences. My sister Cassie says there are no such things as coincidences, but she doesn’t know everything. Truthfully I’m just not sure Trevor is ready for anything serious, at least that’s what Giselle (his horrid ex-girlfriend) told me. I still don’t know if I should believe anything she says, but so far he’s proved her right. Don’t get me wrong, the physical attraction between Trevor and me is certainly not lacking, but I guess some things just aren’t meant to be.

Time for Savasana. Finally, my favorite part of the practice (and not only because it’s the end.) I lie back on my mat as still as I can and cover my face with my jacket. It’s now time to go into full relaxation mode and clear my head of all the nonsense.

Before I know it, I hear the bell ringing signaling the end of my practice. When I check my phone, I have three missed calls from Georgie.

There you are, she exclaims. I have some amazing news to tell you. I can’t help but laugh because every conversation I have with her these days begins with these words.

Okay, let's hear it, I say, in my most supportive-friend tone. I'm still feeling very relaxed from my yoga practice.

Dr. Scott and I picked the location for our wedding. Eek! she shouts.

I love how she still calls her fiancé Dr. Scott. I guess that’s how everyone knows him, and the nickname just fits.

Well, spill it, I demand. I’m curious because it was quite a difficult decision for her, and she’s changed her mind eighty-five times.

I’m so excited, she shouts.

Georgie?

She starts to laugh. Sorry. The fabulous news is that Dr. Scott and I have decided to get married on a cruise ship.

A cruise ship? Now that's different-- not that I'm surprised because Georgie has always been known to move to the beat of her own drum, or whatever that saying is.

Seriously? Will the captain marry you? How fantastic.

She goes into every detail about the cruise ship wedding, and I admit I’m getting excited too.

Oh, I can’t wait, I tell her.

We continue to discuss the cruise. And the best part is that the topic of my date for the event doesn't come up once. Considering I'm the maid of honor I'll probably be way too busy for a plus one anyway, so hopefully, I can skip that whole part.

The next morning I arrive at Selena and Company early for my first lesson. The students I’m working with today are amazingly talented. These are the days that make me want to continue teaching forever. And at this rate, that’s exactly what I’ll be doing. I’m going over my lesson plans when I hear a knock on my door.

Helllooo, says a cheerful voice. I look up to see Miranda standing in my doorway. I jump up from my seat to hug her. Miranda is the reason I'm sitting here in this studio right now. She's an agent who I met through a mutual friend-- she took a chance on me and I'm eternally grateful to her for that.

What a nice surprise, I exclaim. What brings you here?

She flashes me a big smile. Actually, you. I lean my head to the side. She's piqued my interest because when Miranda talks I want to listen.

Okay, I don’t know if I should be excited or worried, I say sarcastically.

She runs her fingers through her long blond hair, then pulls it back into a ponytail and twists it around in her hands. How are you liking it here? she asks, lowering her voice.

I’m not sure why she’s whispering.

It’s great and I adore students. I pause. Of course, I miss performing, but that's okay. Someday, right?

She nods knowingly but doesn’t say anything. I get up to close my office door.

Why are you asking me if I like it here and why are we whispering? I ask my voice barely above a whisper.

I was just curious, she says nonchalantly. Livie and I were talking the other day and she asked about you.

I love her friend Liv; she's one of the coolest people I've ever met. Trevor introduced us and then she connected me with Miranda and so on. I suppose I owe it all to Trevor-- but I'd never tell him that because it would go straight to his already enormous ego.

I look at my phone and remember I have my first lesson in three minutes. I hate to cut this short, but I have to get to a lesson. Thanks for stopping by and please tell Liv I said hello.

She stands up and opens her arms wide to hug me. You will be hearing from Liv very soon, she whispers in my ear. When I pull away she winks at me.

About what? I ask.

She laughs. Don’t you have a lesson to get to?

Crap.

Can you tell me what it has to do with? I beg as I walk her to the lobby.

Nope, she says, with an evil laugh. She will be in touch, she calls before walking out the door.

Great. Now I’m going to be obsessing over this all day. What on earth could Liv want to talk to me about?

Chapter Two

Do you mind if I make half of the fridge and pantry all gluten and dairy free?

I roll my eyes as I read the text. Apparently, my new roommate Layla eats all gluten-free. I'm not sure if she needs to be gluten-free or if she just prefers it. If I had to guess I think she's just doing it because it's the trendy thing to do, but I'm not one to judge. All I know is I could never do it if I didn't have to because I would probably die without bread. My sister eats super clean just like Layla. She makes her own homemade Kale chips … disgusting. Are Kale chips gluten-free? I have no idea. Maybe I should just try to go gluten-free to go along with my new yoga lifestyle. Hah! I just made myself laugh.

I send her a reply.

Sure.

The truth is that anything is better than the other girls I was living with, so I really shouldn’t complain.

I'm in the middle of searching through a box for some sheet music when I come across my grandmother's red leather-bound journal.

I've been so busy working, I haven't thought about this book in a while. Which reminds me--I need to give Beatrice a call. Beatrice was my grandmother's best friend and Trevor's grandmother. After finding this journal, I wanted to learn more about my grandmother, then I met Beatrice and we became close friends. Since I moved, we've kind of lost touch and I feel bad about it. I can't remember the last time I spoke to her.

I grab my phone and scroll through my contact list to find her number. She’s one of the only people in my life who doesn’t text-- then again, she’s ninety years old. Not that a ninety-year-old can’t text, but I know for a fact that she doesn’t. She usually lets her phone ring until her answering machine picks up and then she screens the calls.

Hi, Beatrice. It’s Maris. Are you screening your phone calls again? I was thinking about you today and realized it’s been a few months since we spoke. Call me back if you get this … or pick up if you’re listening. I wait a few seconds, and she doesn’t pick up so I hang up. Hmm …

I run my fingers over the journal and think back to when I found it. I actually shouldn't give all credit to Trevor for leading me to make my big move. After learning of my grandmother's life as a radio performer, I was inspired. Inspired enough to follow through on something I'd wanted for so long. And this may sound strange, but I had several dreams about my grandmother after finding the journal. In these dreams, she kept telling me to follow my heart, which is exactly what I did.

I wonder when I’m going to hear from Liv. I could always reach out to her, but that would be awkward. If I had more time I would’ve loved to talk to Miranda a little more.

My phone buzzes distracting me from my thoughts. Huh, maybe Beatrice texts after all? Although it’s not a text from Beatrice, it’s from Kyle.

Will be in town next week. Dinner?

I smile to myself. It’s nice to spend time with him, but I know things can’t continue like they are. And it’s not interfering with my personal life, being that I don’t have a personal life. I like spending time with Kyle, it’s comfortable and easy. However, it’s also becoming somewhat routine, almost like a friendship. I know I still have feelings for him, but I don’t know if that’s just because of our history. Maybe we need to have that talk? I groan out loud. I don’t usually have anxiety, but the thought of having the what are we talk gives me anxiety.

Yes. Just let me know which night is best.

I hold the phone in my hand and zone out. I think it’s pretty clear that Kyle and I have moved into the friend zone. And maybe that’s where we are meant to stay.

It's been over a week since Miranda came by the studio and I haven't heard a word from Liv. Not that it matters now, but I'm still curious about why she wants to talk to me.

Kyle and I are meeting for dinner tonight. He’s insisting on taking me to Mastro’s Steakhouse. I tried to argue that it wasn’t in my budget, but he insists on paying. Of course—he always pays. I finish up with my last student and change my clothes at the studio. I decided on a cute black dress-- even though I know I don’t have to impress Kyle, it’s still fun to get dressed up.

I'm in the cab on my way to the restaurant when I hear my phone ringing. I dig around in my bag searching for it, but I miss the call. I can feel my heartbeat pick up when I see I missed a call from Trevor. This is certainly a surprise because it's been months since he called me. The very stubborn side of me wants to ignore his call, but the curious side of me wants to hear what he has to say. A few seconds later, I notice he left me a voicemail.

I take a few deep breaths and continue to touch up my makeup. I’m going to ignore his message for now. Another few seconds go by and I get a text message.

Please call me.

I groan. As tough as I'm trying to be, I want to text or call him back.

I know I still have some feelings for Trevor too, no matter how hard I try to fight them. I’m just not sure what those feelings are exactly. I stare at my phone screen for what feels like several minutes before I listen to the message.

Hi, Maris. It’s Trevor. Please call me back as soon as you can. It’s about Gran.

Beatrice? As soon as I hear his message, I feel