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)
“Here’s hoping.” I didn’t much care for thinking about next year when Rudy would likely be here and I would not. Instead, I glanced around the loading dock area. A team of parents was pushing set pieces onto a truck while others carried boxes of props and more bags of costumes. Children milled about as well. I knew many of their names. There was a familiarity here that bigger productions never had. “I’d forgotten how intimate a small production can be.”
“Is that your way of saying you’re going to miss us?” Rudy’s voice was light, and I couldn’t see his expression well with the rack between us. I’d miss him, but I wasn’t sure how to articulate that without revealing far more than I wanted.
“I might.” I matched his tone, and we continued on to the school, where the flurry of activity continued. The set committee chair grabbed Rudy for a question about storage, leaving me to try to find a way to stay useful or at least out of the way. Another snacks table had been set up at the ballet school, this one with a large sheet cake celebrating a successful run. Parents and students continued to mill about, and many little dancers had presents and cards for their teachers. I’d sent Tavio and Irina a holiday treat basket earlier in the week, and after some deliberation, I’d given Cheryl and Victoria gift cards to a cosmetics chain. Something fun, but not too personal.
“Thank you for everything.” Victoria broke away from a group of teens to come over to where I stood. She held out a small wrapped item.
“For me?” I considered the package, which was wrapped in unicorn reindeer paper. “Usually I’m the one who gifts something to my partners, not the other way around.”
“Kitty dragged me to an ornament painting party with the art club,” Victoria explained as I unwrapped a wooden star-shaped ornament with colorful stripes of glittery paint. “We both worked on it. It’s for your tree next year in Seattle.”
“Thank you.” I managed to get the words out past my strangely tight throat. Like Isabella, she wanted me to remember this place and time. No way was I forgetting, even without the mementos. The thought of my apartment in Seattle, which had never once hosted a tree or holiday gathering, filled my chest with a mixture of dread and emptiness. I forced my attention back to Victoria. “I can’t wait to hear what role you get for next year’s The Nutcracker at your new school.”
“Don’t remind me.” Victoria groaned, drawing the me out to epic lengths. “Everything will be different next year.”
“I’m sorry.” I shifted the ornament awkwardly from hand to hand. I wasn’t cut out for comforting, but unfortunately for Victoria, no one else was paying us much attention. “I didn’t mean to make you sad.”
“It’s okay.” She shrugged, voice going more pragmatic. “Part of the business, right?”
“It is.” I met her troubled gaze, not sure if I liked her sounding more like me. “And I’m here if you ever have questions about the business or anything else.”
“Thank you.” And with that, she was gone, back to her group of friends, leaving me holding the ornament as Rudy strolled over.
“Victoria gave you an ornament too?” Rudy held up a similar painted wooden ornament, his shaped like an ugly holiday sweater. “Kitty just delivered me this one.”
“Fitting.” I gestured at his green sweater. “You can add it to your collection.”
“I do have quite the collection of sweaters.” He chuckled. “I’m just getting started with ornaments though.”
My chest pinched. An image of Rudy’s little tree drifted through my mind, transforming into a bigger, more impressive tree, Rudy at the center of a happy two-dad family. His tree would be heavy with kid-created ornaments and sentimental favorites, and I hated it and his imaginary husband already.
“We’re almost done here.” Rudy pocketed his ornament before nodding at the dwindling number of volunteers and kids. His eyes kept flitting toward the rear stairs, and he shuffled his feet. “All the helpers made quick work.”
“Are you okay?” I had a strong feeling what his issue was, so I smiled slyly. “You’re twitchier than a strobe light.”
“I know.” He groaned self-consciously. “Do you want to come upstairs after the others leave? For a game or—”
“Or.” Reaching out, I tilted his face toward mine with my index finger, forcing him to meet my gaze. Rudy’s answering slow smile was worth the risk of the public touch. I let the desire I’d suppressed for weeks lace my voice. “I vote or.”
Twenty-One
Dance belt: the undergarment worn by male dancers that covers the groin area while narrowing to a thin piece of material that passes between the buttocks. Can create a callus at the tailbone from frequent wear.
Rudy
“You’re nervous.” Alexander stated the obvious. I let us into my apartment, and my hand trembled, fumbling the lock. The dance school below was finally empty, all the chaos of performance week done, sets, costumes, props, and dancers all returned to their rightful places. Well, all except the elegant dancer who very much didn’t belong in my little thrift-chic apartment, yet here he was anyway, striding over to my couch to gaze up at me expectantly.