“Why did you have to say that here?”
“Where would you prefer me to say it?”
She studied him, a smile tweaking her lips, and he exhaled heavily. It still seemed amazing that someone like her seemed to enjoy hanging out with him. And though it might make him sound egotistical, he really wanted to know why.
“One day, very soon, like maybe Sunday, I’m going to tell you, and the rest of the world, exactly how I feel.”
Her smile widened. “And how is that?”
“Uh-uh. Don’t go getting ahead of things now. You’ll have to wait for Sunday.”
“Can’t wait.”
He exhaled heavily again. Oh, this was going to be a very long few days.
CHAPTER 16
Sunday
It was time for the final show. Around her all the noise and activity continued, echoing the tumult within. She had to be the professional that others thought she was, to focus, to get in the zone. First, she had the pro dance opener, a longer, more elaborate effort than usual, as it was the last for the season, so they’d have to give the audience something to remember. Fiona would dance first, then Bailey would dance the contemporary with Luc, followed by Coco, Fiona’s second dance, then Bailey and Luc would have their tango. She glanced around, wondering where Luc was. She might be the pro, but her nerves calmed when he was around, like his faith and bigness could scare off any foes.
She stretched, and rose, almost meeting Miguel’s foot as he did his own pirouette.
“Sorry. Didn’t see you there,” he muttered.
Her words to him from three weeks ago. Good to see the pro didn’t hold grudges. “No problem.” On her side at least. Coco had said the man was vindictive, and she’d noticed he wasn’t as obliging as he’d been in those first couple of weeks.
She shifted away. Miguel wasn’t partnered with her in the pro dance at all tonight, and she saw no reason to stay near him now. She moved closer to where Coco was warming up. Everyone was tipping Coco and her famous actor partner to win, which was totally deserved. Jason and Coco had been consistent all season, unlike her and Luc, with their rises and falls. A hysterical giggle burst out, and she forced herself to focus.
“What’s so funny?” Coco asked, her knees flat on the floor in a butterfly stretch.
“I was just thinking about this season, about Luc’s rises and falls these past weeks.”
Coco snickered. “The man is certainly a surprise package. Bet you’re hoping he finishes on a rise tonight, huh?”
She nodded, sucking down water.
“So what’s next after this?”
“We go back home. He’s got hockey, I’ve got the dance studio to run.”
“I know that. But I mean with the two of you.” Those last three words she said in a lowered voice.
The two of you. What would happen once they were back in the real world? “I don’t know. I guess we figure out if this has enough legs to stand, or whether this was just a…” She shrugged.
“Office romance?”
Bailey winced. “That sounds so corny.”
“You know it’s not the first time that’s happened. That’s why you’re here after all.”
Because of the married celebrity who’d had a fling with his equally married dance partner.
“Look, I hope for your sake you can keep it going. He does seem to really be into you. And I don’t know if you have noticed, but he never looks at any other woman apart from you. It doesn’t matter what she’s wearing, he’s a gentleman in that way. But when he looks at you it’s with this mix of hunger and adoration.”
Her insides tensed. She’d seen that look too. Which made her wonder just how deep his feelings ran.
“You need to figure out what you are going to do,” Coco said, “because I think you’ll find that the producers will want you back again next year.”
“Really?”
“Uh-huh. They want dancers that the audience can connect with, and you and Luc have been doing really well with your social media posts and promoting the show. And I think that between that and the fact you’re a newbie who has taken your celeb to the final in your first year, they’re gonna be really impressed and want you back again.”
“I hadn’t really thought beyond this season.”
Coco did another stretch. “Well, you should. I know you have your studio, and you could still keep that open, like lots of the other dancers here do. This show doesn’t pay all the bills.”
“I’ll definitely think about it if they ask.”
Coco shrugged. “You could live with me again next year, if you’re not living with him by then.”
“You mean Luc? I wouldn’t live with him. We… no. We’re, um, Christians, and don’t do that.”
“Wow. So all those hot routines are the product of your fevered imagination, then, huh?”
“The producers wanted me to spice things up. So I’ve tried.”
