Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 75983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Kissing— My brain rudely tried to interrupt, and I shut down that line of thinking with an audible growl that made Tavio frown yet again.
“We would be fine with an easier variation—”
“I would not.” I gave him my most regal stare, the one that dared him to object.
“All right. Again then.” Tavio motioned with his hand. “Make me believe.”
I attacked the variation again, each arabesque and jump, every take-off and landing, no element too small for my attention to perfection. Distant young laughter sounded from the hallway, and I used the noise as fuel, tapping into my past memory of how easy this choreography could feel, jumps included.
“Closer,” Tavio said as I finished. His praise was scant, but his expression had relaxed considerably, sparkle returning to his eyes and his smile coming more readily. “Take a breather, and we’ll go again.”
I strode to where I’d left my warm-ups, along with my water bottle and phone. I kept my phone on silent for rehearsal lest I catch Tavio’s wrath, so unsurprisingly, a stack of new messages greeted me. My Seattle director wanted to set up a time to talk about my readiness for the Valentine’s weekend performances. A pit of dread opened in my stomach, but I replied nevertheless. Too many others were waiting in the wings if I faltered. My dread only increased as I flipped to a series of messages from my mother about Thanksgiving, culminating in the most dire of warnings.
Just a reminder about the guest list for Thursday, darling. The whole Cole family is joining us because I didn’t want Margie to have to cook this year. I’ll need your help with chairs and setup.
Cole family. That likely included Rudy. Darn it. The one day this week that I was hoping to completely avoid him. I could hardly explain my reluctance to my mother, however, so I replied with a brief of course and left my discomfort for me to deal with privately, later.
I flexed my legs, preparing for the next run-through, but before Tavio could summon me, Kitty burst into the studio.
“My life is over.” She flopped down on the chair next to my things, eyes wide and hair more wild than usual. Unlike her stately father, she wore a mismatch of colors—red sweater, purple-and-yellow leggings, and brown furry legwarmers.
“Good morning to you as well, Katherine,” Tavio greeted her dryly. “Somehow I figured with no school for Thanksgiving week, you might sleep in.”
“No time for sleep.” Kitty waved both hands. “The costume committee needs me. Even if my mortal existence is compromised.”
“I’m sure whatever has arisen is fixable,” her father soothed.
“Marcus asked me to the winter formal.” Kitty delivered this proclamation with the gravity of reporting a power outage.
“I see. He is a friend, yes?” Tavio continued his calm tone. “A good one, I thought?”
Kitty refused to be placated. “Yes, he’s a friend. Exactly. A friend.”
“Why not tell him you would rather go as friends?” I made the suggestion easily, having been in similar pickles before. “He may be a little disappointed, but you can suggest going in a group with other friends.”
“Because I don’t want to go with him.” Leaning all the way back in the chair, she gave a sigh dramatic enough to risk toppling the chair. “I want to go with—”
The chair gave a precipitous wobble as the door opened to admit Victoria, who was wearing warm-ups and carrying her dance bag.
“Victoria.” Tavio greeted her warmly, not trying to hide his obvious relief at her arrival. “Please, console Kitty.”
“What’s wrong?” Victoria hurried to Kitty’s side.
“Nothing.” Expression bleak, Kitty hefted herself out of the chair and strode out of the room. “I should get to work.”
“I need to go after her.” Victoria offered Tavio and me an apologetic look. “I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time,” Tavio said generously. She left the room, and he ran a hand through his hair. “Save me from teen drama. Parenthood is not for the faint-hearted.”
“So I’ve heard.” Eager not to inadvertently end up discussing my single status, I returned to our earlier conversation. “How did you know you were ready?”
“For parenthood?” Tavio frowned, mind evidently still on Kitty’s dilemma. “One is never ready. But we were getting older, a sort of now or never moment, and we chose the now. No regrets.”
“I meant coming back from injury.” Unlike Tavio and Irina, who’d had a clear plan for life after performing, including children, I didn’t like to think about what would come later for me. Retirement was a hazy someday I refused to dwell on.
“That too. Now or never.” Tavio gave a sharp nod. “At a certain point, you either go for it, despite your doubts, or you admit time has finally won.”
“Never.” I made my voice firm, pushing down my own set of fears. If Tavio could do it, so could I.