He blinked, the overhead studio lights glaring into him, then seemed to shake himself as he nodded, and visibly relaxed and gritted out a smile. “Better?”
“Nope.” Clearly she had her work cut out with this one. She tugged his head down. “You should look like you’re having fun. What do you do to have fun?”
“Put pucks in the net?”
She sighed.
“How about you pick her up?” the producer called.
Luc’s eyes widened, his expression so deer-in-headlights she fought another urge to giggle. “Come on. It’s not hard. You’re supposed to be strong, right?”
“I am, but I, uh, just don’t know how to, um, pick you up in a way that’s not inappropriate.”
“He’s not asking you to do weights with me. Just put your arm around me and lift me up against your side.”
His hand tentatively moved to her back, and she grabbed it and placed it on her hip. “You’re gonna have to get used to touching me, remember?” She placed a hand on his shoulder. “Now catch me.”
She jumped up, her hand slipping around his neck, then his hand slid from her hip down to behind her knees as she smiled at the cameras.
The flashes of cameras popped, as the wind machine blew back her hair, and she smiled at the video camera.
“Come on, Luc. Look like you’re having fun!”
She leaned her head closer to his, grinning wider, one hand outstretched, as the camera guy called, “Put your arm out, like you’re super strong.”
“I am super strong,” Luc mumbled.
She laughed, and he instantly relaxed, the tension in his body easing.
Good to know. He needed to laugh, to find ways to make this fun if he was going to relax and find ways to engage with others in a real way.
“Okay, let’s try that again.”
Luc gently lowered her to the floor, and she placed a hand on her dress to make sure it didn’t ride up. “You’re so light,” he murmured, as she held up her hands in a double high five which he gently slapped, like he was scared to hurt her. And maybe he could, with that big solid build. There was a reason she had thought to not do the swivel and hip check. He’d probably bounce her into the next room.
“I told you not to worry.” She squeezed his bicep, conscious the cameras were still rolling. Even this part had to look fun and not awkward, like they were comfortable with each other, and not like they’d met only two days ago and had arrived in TO yesterday.
Members of the production team had met them at the airport, before their luggage—her number of bags had raised Luc’s eyebrows—had been deposited at the hotel and they’d been whisked off to a fancy restaurant for a “Welcome to Dance Off Canada” cocktail party.
She’d met Coco and her celebrity, actor Jason Streetley, and a bunch of others, who instantly welcomed her, and did their best to welcome Luc too. She’d noticed the way he’d switched from frozen fish and instantly morphed into someone affable and nice, shaking hands, doing backslap hugs, acting like he was thrilled to be here.
“Oh my gosh, girl,” Coco had fanned herself. “He’s built.”
Yes, he was. It had been evident he was the most built man of the group, even while wearing the most subdued outfit of jeans and a tee and plaid shirt.
Coco had squeezed her. “This will be so fun dancing with you again.”
“Thanks so much for mentioning me to Joanne.” Her bank balance was especially grateful. “I still can’t get over the whirlwind this has been.”
“Hey, they needed someone fast, preferably based near Winnipeg, and when the next troupe member announced she was pregnant, and the others lacked, ah, personality, I suggested to Joanne she call you.” Another hug. “I’m so glad you said yes.”
Bailey had nodded, relaxing a little more. She would be too, eventually.
She’d been glad when the money had shown up in her account. Glad that Luc had made an effort last night, even if he was still looking stiff today. He’d relax more, and they’d look as easy as the other couples who had already been rehearsing together for the past week. It would simply take some time.
“And one more,” a photographer called.
“Ready?” She glanced up at Luc.
His chin dipped, and she smiled, and caught the faintest smile in his expression as she jumped, her arm around his neck.
This time his hand was slightly higher, nearly mid hamstring, and she pointed one leg across his body and curled the other behind her, like a heel flick, lifting her chin and tossing her hair as the wind machine blew strands across her face.
“That’s perfect! That’s a cut.”
“Whew.” Luc gently lowered her, one hand on her knee as she landed back on the ground. “How do you manage to balance on those?” he said, pointing to her heels.
“Probably the same way you manage to balance on skates.”
His lips pulled to one side.
“Okay, Luc, let’s get some shots of you on your own now.”
Luc shot her a look, and she gave him a double thumbs-up to encourage him. There were still cameras here, and who knew what they’d be filming?
She pointed to him, then pointed to her smile, and did a shimmy.
He half-laughed, his stiff posture relaxing, as he pointed back at her, his feet moving in an awkward shuffle. She laughed some more, and beckoned him to come closer.
