They’d booked out a private room of one of Toronto’s top restaurants, as it seemed half the Bible study group had gathered to watch him dance in person this weekend. Maybe they were all here because they didn’t trust him to make it to next week, but he had a good feeling about this one. He and Bailey had performed the waltz together only a few times thanks to her sore toe, but he knew this performance would be gold. Not just because of her stunning costume—a pale pink gown with sparkly bits in it that caught the light while he was back to wearing a dumb suit—but he knew the lifts would work and look amazing. Especially if he nailed the last one, their most dramatic one yet, which deserved a ten just for sheer audacity.
This week’s song was an older one, “Iris”, by The Goo Goo Dolls, the rhythm perfect for the three-quarter time he had started to nail. He was confident this would be their highest-scoring dance yet, and secretly hoped they might earn their first seven, or even an eight.
Bailey told Sarah, and Sarah’s jaw sagged. “I can’t believe you don’t love that movie. It’s one of my favorites too, and not just because I’m Australian. What is wrong with you?”
“He’s a guy,” said Poppy James, Franklin’s youngest sister, rolling her eyes.
“Hey, don’t go assuming all guys only do guns and gore,” Bree said. “I happen to know there are some men seated here who even watch Jane Austen movies.”
Luc snickered as Mike groaned. “It was once, babe. And you weren’t feeling well at the time.”
“I think once counts, am I right, ladies?” Bree winked.
Gladness filled his chest to see Bree back to her perky self, after her illness with her last pregnancy. Apparently this visit to Toronto was one of her and Mike’s first real weekends away since the twins’ birth.
“For sure.” Sarah chuckled, casting a look at her husband.
“Honey, no.” Dan shook his head.
“Don’t you want people to know what a proud Canadian you are?” Sarah’s animation was not dissimilar to Bailey’s. “I would think it should be mandatory viewing for everyone in this country.”
“Let me guess: you made him watch Anne of Green Gables,” Bree said.
“The real one, from the 1980s, I hope,” Poppy said.
“Of course. And look.” Sarah did a hand gesture like a model on a giveaway show. “He even survived.”
“How long was that movie?” Luc asked Dan.
Dan held up three fingers, which triggered laughter around the table.
“He’s obviously the most committed man here.” Sarah smiled at Bree. “Unless your Austen movie was the five-hour BBC production of Pride and Prejudice.”
Five hours? Just the thought of watching a chick flick for that long was enough to make him bust out in hives.
As the women swapped stories about their favorite films, he took the chance to talk with the guys, while his parents small-talked with Bailey’s. The fact they’d all come to support them meant a lot.
“So, let me get this right: you and her are not a thing,” Mike said in an undertone.
“Nope.” Not yet.
“Did everything work out okay with the doctor?”
Luc nodded. Pointed to Mike’s sister. “Meet the doctor.”
“Callie? I wondered why she was here,” Mike said.
“She was on call, and stepped in—”
“After you stepped on Bailey’s foot,” Dan said.
“She’s still in pain, but she’ll be okay. The medics on set at least know now, so that’s something.”
“I’m glad it worked out okay.”
“Amen.” Thank goodness things were working out okay. The producers had assured Bailey she didn’t need to worry about being fired, either, which had added extra spring to her step. “Thanks so much for letting us use your place.” Luc fist-bumped Dan.
“Sarah appreciated the flowers you left there.”
“It really helped to have somewhere private to go.”
“Private, huh? Is there something I need to know here?” Mike asked.
“Nope.” But Luc filled him in anyway. No need to have the man guessing.
Mike nodded. “So, you dance tomorrow, then what, if you get through you’re still staying here to rehearse?”
“It’s easier than travelling back to Winnipeg. We did that the first weeks and it was really tiring, so we’re sticking around here. It’s been much easier to get to rehearsals and do some other stuff as well.” Like interviews. And make the most of the big smoke and do tourist things while blending into the crowds. With both of them in civilian clothes, unmade-up, they could almost pass as ordinary folk. Well, she couldn’t, because Bailey had a sparkly-like quality about her, pretty enough that she often got second glances, even with no makeup on. The fact she liked him still blew his mind.
“And then what?” Dan studied him. “Are you back to hockey training?”
Luc nodded. “They said they’re planning to save the official captain announcement until training camp, so if all goes well, I’ll be back into peak fitness by then.”
“Bree was saying how a lot of these celebrities really shred the kilos with all the dancing they do on these shows.” Mike eyed him. “You’re looking a little leaner.”
“It’s insane how much cardio there is in this. After the jive we did last week, I swear I dropped two kilos just doing that.”
“You need to be careful then. What’s your trainer saying?” Dan asked.
