Bailey wrapped her arms around him as the studio’s cheers filled the room.
He grinned, swinging her around, then settling her on the floor. “We got through, baby.” Her eyes widened at that last word which had slipped out, honest. “I mean, Sergeant Bailey.”
She pressed her lips together, and shifted slightly away. “That’s better.”
But her shifting away wasn’t. He grabbed her hand as they joined the other couples safe from elimination, and got hugs from Coco and her actor dude. He wished Jason wasn’t so handsome and kept his hugs to himself.
Miguel and the author lady were eliminated, which wasn’t a surprise as anyone could see Miguel was limping like a sore loser.
He’d scowled at Bailey when they’d passed before, and she’d rushed over and said “I’m so sorry.”
Miguel had muttered something back which caused Bailey to stiffen, which instantly raised Luc’s own hackles. It was funny how after dancing with her so much he was getting used to what her body said when she wasn’t talking. For a moment he could swear that she was frightened. Luc had wrapped an arm around her, which she’d left there for a moment, before shrugging it off in a move he suspected she hoped he wouldn’t notice.
But he had. He noticed all kinds of things about her. And something had been off all night, even though their dance had gotten solid sixes, and was the third best of the night. So surely she should be happy they’d gotten through. She’d get her next five thousand dollars now, wouldn’t she? She’d have to be happy about that, just as he was happy about the fact this now meant he’d get to go on a movie date with her. He couldn’t wait.
He followed her to the green room, where the reporters were ready to pounce. Ugh, this. He’d forgotten about this. The cameras in his face, the fact he’d have to pretend he was glad to talk about himself. This was all part of the performance, so Bailey had said, and Coco and the producers had made clear.
“Congratulations, Luc!” a reporter from ET said. “The judges really seemed to like your connection this week, as well as commenting on your fancy footwork tonight.”
Luc slung an arm around Bailey’s shoulder. She was looking as sparkly and happy as ever. And not just because of the silver bling in her short dress. “It’s all due to Bailey here.”
“And what do you say to that, Bailey?”
Bailey tilted her head into his chest. “I think Luc forgets what skills he brings from his work on the ice.”
“Yes, we saw the highlights package earlier. You took Bailey ice-skating, huh?”
Luc nodded. “It was a lot of fun to show her some of my world after being in hers so much lately. I can’t wait to get her to a game one day.”
Bailey stiffened. His heart froze, and he didn’t hear the next question. Didn’t she want to do that anymore? Just what had happened to her tonight?
“Luc? What do you have to say to that?”
“Sorry. Could you repeat the question?”
The reporter’s smile grew strained. “I’m just wondering how far you think you two can go in this competition?”
“In this competition? All the way.” He flexed, which drew the reporter’s laugh.
“And dare we ask, out of this competition?” The reporter winked.
Luc’s mouth dried, and he quickly glanced down at Bailey. Her smile had dropped, and she looked down at the floor. “Out of this competition?” Luc repeated slowly. He had to say something, and no way was he going to say anything that would embarrass poor Bailey. “I think it’s safe to say…” Lord? What do I say? The answer shot to him like a bolt of lightning. “Nothing.”
The reporter laughed, and Luc relaxed. But Bailey still seemed tense, even though he knew she was trying her best to keep smiling.
They soon finished that interview, then were immediately pounced on for another, then a third, so it was getting late by the time they finally finished and he could meet his folks.
“Hey,” he grabbed Bailey’s hand. “Are you ready to meet my parents?”
She closed her eyes, and winced. “I just need to go get changed.”
“Oh, but Mom really wanted to see us in our costumes. It won’t take long, I promise.”
She studied him then nodded, and he took her hand and hurried her from the room to where his folks waited.
“Lucas!” His mom opened her arms and he stepped into them, drawing her up into his hug, which pulled her off the ground. “Oh, you were so good.”
“Hello, Mr. Blanchard,” Bailey said while Luc hugged his mom.
“Mom, Dad, this is Bailey Donovan.” He wrapped his arm around her waist. “Bails, this is Simon and Valentienne Blanchard.”
“It’s lovely to meet you both.”
His dad was still holding Bailey’s hand like he was starstruck. “Dad,” Luc said.
His mom muscled past and drew Bailey in for her own hug. “You’re so pretty, aren’t you?”
Bailey shot him a panicked look as she was smothered in his mom’s arms. Luc laughed and drew her back. “Yes, she is. And modest, so don’t go saying that too often, otherwise you’ll get Sergeant Bailey instead of the sweet thing you’re seeing now.”
His mom looked down at Bailey’s dress. “I can see why he likes you so much.”
Luc’s neck heated. “Mom.”
Bailey laughed, and he sighed with relief. That was what he’d missed. She’d barely laughed tonight. And an evening without her laughter was like a night sky with no stars. Something had been wrong before, he just knew it.
Bailey gracefully stepped back. “You’ll have to excuse me. I need to change.”
“You mean you don’t wear that out?” his dad asked.
