Something shifted, a glimmer of determination and trust emerging. Leaning into the solo dance, she embraced the frenzied state. Step by step, she threw herself into it, her body a vessel of raw emotion. The angst that had held her captive found release through her limbs, through the fluidity of her dance. I stared in awe as she surrendered to the rhythm. She became a force to be reckoned with, an embodiment of the strength I knew she possessed.
Two hours later, I couldn’t help but grin. The intense and cathartic dance had both of us drenched. She gulped down water, and I knew it was time for a longer break to catch our breaths and let the emotions settle. I switched the music to a regular playlist, and we collapsed onto the floor.
All my earlier concerns gave way to relief at the look of peace on her face.
“You did great.”
She looked at me, her face flushed and sweaty, but her eyes held a spark of determination that hadn’t been there before.
“Thanks,” she murmured, and a small, tired smile tugged at her lips.
Without thinking, she thrust her legs out, causing me to chuckle. I reached for them, our old routine coming back as naturally as if there was never a pause. My hands found her calves, and I massaged them, working out the knots. She sighed in relief, her eyes closing as she leaned back on her elbows.
“This brings back memories,” I mused, kneading the muscles.
“Right? I must say, your strength has improved.”
“Glad to know. I guess a few years will do that to you, huh?” I admitted before adding, “It’s strange. Sometimes it feels as if no time has passed at all.”
“I feel the same.”
We fell into a comfortable silence while the music played lightly in the background. I glanced at her face, thankful the tension was no longer visible. It was replaced by a serene expression, more like I was used to.
“Better?” I asked after a while, my hands slowing but not stopping.
“Much,” she replied.
She flashed me a genuine, relaxed smile. It was a small victory, but one I would take for now. Sitting there with her, a profound understanding passed between us.
“When do you need to leave for your tour?” she asked.
“I have about three weeks. I’m trying to convince your friends to let you come with me. I’m not having much luck. They keep telling me to talk to you about it, but when I do, you shut me out. Want to tell me what’s going on?”
“I can’t explain it to you. I wish I could make it make sense. Just know it has to do with what happened to my parents, and I’m only beginning to process it with Marcel.” This is the most she’d said about her past, and I didn’t want to push. I had a feeling she was trying to protect me.
She leaned her head against my shoulder and grabbed my hand. Hers was so small; it had always been. I turned it over and ran my thumb across the palm.
“What are you thinking about?” I asked. My heart caught in my throat as she turned her face to mine.
“Life and how different it might have been. Would you have ever fallen in love with me? Married me? Foolish things like that.”
“Yeah, me too. How about those babies we were supposed to have?” I teased, and her face flushed.
“If I’d had my way, we would have had it all.” She shook her head when I raised my eyebrow. I had to remind myself that if she had anyone’s babies, it would more than likely be one of the three men who couldn’t get enough of her.
“I still can’t believe I told the producers that, though. I’m sorry, by the way. I guess it’s a good thing we weren’t older, and that you weren’t in a serious relationship. Speaking of relationships, though, tell me about yours?”
She scooted closer. I could sense her curiosity, her desire to make sure I was happy in my current relationship. In that moment, a mix of emotions swirled within me, and I grappled with the complexities of my engagement to Hannah. I’d been dying to ask her exactly what type of relationship she was having with the King brothers, so this was a perfect lead-in. I’d answer her questions and then get some of my own.
I took a deep breath. My heart held a fierce loyalty to Hannah. We had a shared passion for dance; it bound us together, and I was grateful for her presence in my life. Yet with my little Mouse reentering my world, a rush of emotions and memories I had long since buried had been reignited.
“Pash, you’re making me nervous. Can’t you tell me?” Her voice was soft as it traveled through me.
“Hannah is a dancer in the same company. She’s actually my fiancée. We’ve chosen to keep our relationship under wraps for now, considering the complexities of our work environment. She also tends to get jealous easily.”
“Would she be jealous of me?” Her eyes held a level of fear, like she thought I’d push her away. Her lips quivered, and her expression said she wished to take back the words.
With a gentle nod, I continued, my words carefully chosen. “Our engagement is a huge step forward for both of us. But I’m not going to lie. Being here, in this room with you, dancing with you again…it stirs something deep within me that I’m having trouble ignoring. It’s complicated.” I sighed, running my fingers through my hair as I tried to process the string of emotions she evoked in me.
