“That’s just as well.”
“Because?”
“Because I really lo-ike you too.”
He saw how her eyes widened, as if she’d caught his near slip. But would it be a slip of the tongue to speak what his heart had been saying? He loved her, but saying that would take this relationship far deeper than mere kissing seemed to. At least, that was his experience. He might’ve kissed plenty of women—more—back in pre-saved days, but he’d never loved them. Not like this.
Maybe it was that he’d seen his friends dig deeper into what a real relationship was, or the fact that God had been working in his heart to show what real love was, but he knew this deep care and protectiveness was far more powerful than the desire he’d felt for other women in the past. Far deeper even than the desire he felt for Bailey. He might’ve mocked his friends for talking in the group chat about relationships so much, but he could now see how finding the right girl provided sustenance for life. More than a smile or a laugh it was like having a partner, someone who was on your side, no matter what. And the past couple of months had showed that Bailey was like the ultimate partner he’d want in life.
His doorbell buzzed, shaking him from his moment.
“That sounds like dinner is here. Want to come with, or hang here?”
“Of course I’m coming with you.”
He held her hand as they took the elevator to the foyer, and met the delivery person at the door. He tipped them, having paid on the phone before, then five minutes later they were eating in his apartment.
This, sharing a meal, was nice. He could see them sharing plenty more. Dinners, lunches, breakfasts. Here, at hers, at restaurants, wherever.
“So, how did you go with the rest of your day? You were stressed before about the studio and things.”
She swallowed the last of her butter chicken, and pushed her plate away. “Poppy and I have pretty much sorted out most of the classes now. We might need an assistant to do some of the paperwork though. And find someone who can help upgrade the website.”
He motioned to the curry, and she shook her head, so he ate the rest of it, as he chewed on her dilemma. He had some friends, some connections who could probably help with both. But she wouldn’t like a handout, he knew that much from spending time with her. “I can ask around if you like.”
“Only if they’re cheap.”
“You don’t want cheap if it means it won’t work properly.”
“I want the price I can afford.”
He drank his water. “You mentioned before about people wanting to partner with you. Were any of those tech companies? I’m sure there’s a company out there who’d like to work with a famous dance studio, or at least offer a deep discount for the privilege of being associated with you.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Wow. You’re probably right. I haven’t even had a chance to look at all the emails yet, so maybe there is.”
“And if not, I can put some feelers out, see if people at the club know people who know people, but only if you want.”
“Thank you.” She reached across the table and grasped his hand. “I really appreciate that.”
“I live to serve.”
“Which is what will make you a good captain.” She sipped her water. “How did your team things go today?”
“It went. I have more press and have to arrange a few team things later in the summer. And every day between now and the preseason, I have to work on building back my muscles.”
“Too much dancing knocked it out of you, huh?”
He stared into her eyes. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
She smiled, and his heart took flight. How strange to think they lived in the same city, that she’d even worked at his favorite coffee shop, but they had never met until Dance Off brought them together. He shivered. It was almost scary to think they hadn’t met. “Hey, what church do you go to?”
She told him. “I’ve gone with my parents to theirs for years.”
He swallowed. Maybe this was a big call, and likely wouldn’t win him favor with the parents, but he still had to ask the question. “How would you feel about coming with me to mine?”
“With you?”
He told her where and when his church met, and a bit about the style of service, and she agreed to go.
“As long as your parents won’t be put out if you’re not there.”
Her lashes lowered, then lifted. “I normally have lunch with them on Sunday though. It… it would be nice if you came with me. If you wanted to, of course.”
“Of course I want,” he said. Well, of course he wanted to be with her. He suspected her parents might not be so eager for him to tag along. Her mom might be okay, but he thought her father would be glad if Luc’s relationship with Bailey had ended with the show.
“So, Sunday, huh?”
“Three days away. Or is it four?”
“It’s too far away, whatever it is, that’s for sure.”
“Are you saying you want to see me before then?” she asked playfully.
