“Nope. I’m pretty sure I can make you still look strong.”
“With more cool lifts?”
“Absolutely.”
“Are there cool lifts in the sexy dances?”
“There can be. If you make it that far.”
“I’ll be making it. Don’t you worry.”
She nodded, eyeing him. “And you’re okay with telling people that we’re just friends?”
“One hundred percent. Because we’d just be telling the truth, right?”
“That there’s nothing going on.”
He dipped his chin, even as his heart beat in anticipation. There was nothing going on.
Yet.
CHAPTER 13
The Viennese Waltz was a dance that was all about the romance. Big dresses, soft movements, twirls and dips, and everything expected by anyone who had ever watched Beauty and the Beast. She’d been tempted by that theme, then thought Luc might not appreciate the connotations of that, or that it mightn’t be tough enough for him, so she’d requested a song change to something more fitting. But she hoped he’d like it.
Many of the adults who signed up for dance classes came specifically to learn the waltz, usually for a wedding, usually as the bride and groom. She’d taught so many classes over the years that she knew what needed to be done. And Luc was improving. His steps even had some grace to them, and he was nailing the rise and fall. It did help that this was an easier dance than the last two, that the main thing he needed to concentrate on was his frame, keeping his upper body upright and looking as graceful as he could.
It also really helped that they’d had that conversation, that he knew more about her, and she knew more about his thoughts towards her, and that whatever happened with the dancing there was the potential for something exciting in their future.
It put extra bounce in her day, even in a new hired studio in Toronto, even as Bailey admitted to the producers about her toe, even as Ella and the guys filmed their every interaction, poking questions at them to find out the truth about their relationship. The fact that there could be a relationship in three weeks—next week, if this didn’t go well—made her smile, and the fact Luc was happy to hang out with her, laughing, talking about anything and everything, like when they waited for their coffee while people took pics on their phones, also seemed to draw them closer. It was like a secret that only they shared. Even if Poppy and Bailey’s own family were busy messaging her and asking for the truth about what was going on.
“I can’t believe this!” her mother squealed on the phone. “When were you going to tell me about your boyfriend?”
“He’s not my boyfriend, Mom.”
Yet, Luc mouthed, smirking from across the dining table at Coco’s.
She rolled her eyes at him. He’d joined her and Coco for a meal tonight, before she finally watched that movie with him. She’d wondered whether Jason should join them too, had even murmured something along those lines to Coco, but Coco had said that he was learning lines to audition for a Hallmark movie with Ainsley Beckett. She preferred this anyway. Coco loved this film as much as Bailey, and there was something special about introducing her favorite movie to the person who’d fast become one of her favorite people. How funny to think she hadn’t known Luc a month ago.
“Well, I want to meet him,” her mother continued. “Can we come watch you this weekend?”
“Sure. They have tickets that can be reserved for family members.”
Coco nodded. “Be good to see your folks again.”
“Coco is here, and she said she’s looking forward to seeing you.”
“Oh, wonderful! And how is your foot? We’ve been praying since you sent the prayer request.”
In the family group chat. “Thanks, Mom. It’s actually been okay today. I kept off it, had to teach the waltz while sitting down mostly.” She wasn’t sure how that would translate on-screen in Ella’s package. “But it really helps that it’s an easier dance, and Luc is getting much better at the rise and fall.”
“You should tell him he should practice that one-two-three movement wherever he walks this week.”
She laughed. Luc looked up, smiling, and she repeated what her mom had said. He winced.
“Yeah, I’m sensing he’s pretty eager to do that when he meets some of his hockey guys later this week.”
Apparently, his folks weren’t the only ones wanting to meet her. Dan and Sarah, and Mike and Bree, were also eager. Along with her parents and Poppy, and Dr. Callie, there should be quite the contingent of supporters in the audience this week.
“Tell him to remember his frame.”
“I will.” Her mom had worked as a dance instructor back in the day, before retiring to raise her family. She’d been so excited when Bailey’s dance dreams had taken her overseas, and had never really understood why Bailey had quit ballet. That was probably because Bailey had never really told her the full story, like she had with Luc. He really had danced past her guard to get that admission from her. After Bailey had quit chasing her ballet dreams, Bailey’s dance studio was some compensation for her mom, and now her appearance on national TV was likely up there with Bailey dancing at Covent Garden with The Royal Ballet. If only her grandmother and sister could see her now. Her heart tensed. She wondered what Chrissy would think if she had watched the show. And what her father thought. He’d never been a fan of men with tattoos, and Luc had plenty.
“And we want to meet him.”
“You will. And don’t worry, I’ll send you all the information, okay? If you arrive on Saturday, or even Friday, we’ll have on-site rehearsals most of the day, but we could do dinner maybe.” If she could juggle that with what Luc had tentatively arranged with his friends. She swallowed a smile. This couple-ness, without officially being a couple, was kind of fun.
“Okay, well, rest up. I suppose you’re going to have to actually dance with him soon?”
“The plan is to do that tomorrow. But I’ll be taking it easy, don’t you worry.”
“Throw a few more lifts in there, get him to do the work.”
“There will be a few lifts. It’ll give his muscles a good workout. Which is good, because he’s getting soft.”
“Come on,” Luc protested, as Coco and her mom laughed.
