Page 76 of Last Dance, Second Chance

“I’ve made room in my life for you.”

“I know you did,” said Jessica. Realisation hit her. “I’m not Claire,” she said. “This isn’t just about the fact that I’m work obsessed.”

“I know you’re not Claire,” said Nathan. “But you’re another woman choosing her job over me.”

Jessica got up and walked over to him. She put her arms around him and put her head on his shoulder. “You said you weren’t ready for a relationship, remember?”

“I did say something stupid like that.”

“You’re only just divorced.”

“I know, and that was how I felt when I first helped you up from the ground after you fell... but now...”

Jessica looked at him for a moment, seeing the hurt in his eyes. “It’s just not the right time for us,” she said sadly.

Chapter Thirteen

Jessica had been back in New York for two months, and it didn’t feel any more like home than it had when she’d arrived exhausted after her flight and struggled up the three flights of stairs to her apartment, dragging her suitcase behind her. It was definitely colder in her little attic rooms now, and it kind of made her miss the ridiculous heat of the summer.

She pulled herself out of bed when her alarm went off at 6a.m., which she’d decided was quite early enough for her to start each day, and headed straight for the shower before pulling on her leotard, yoga pants, a T-shirt and a hoodie.

She ate a bowl of porridge with berries and protein powder mixed in and finished packing her bag with snacks and water.

It was Friday, and she was looking forward to the weekend. She was going to do some actual sightseeing. It was criminal that there were so many places in this amazing city that she’d never seen because she hadn’t had the time. She was making some time now but she couldn’t help wishing that Nathan was here to share it with her. He would be a fun sightseeing companion.

She thought back to when she’d last seen him, sat at his kitchen table, his head in his hands as she left. He’d made his excuses and hadn’t come to supper that night. Jessica understood, but she hated that that image was the last she had of him. She wondered every day how he was doing. She’d wanted to message or call him a thousand times, but it wouldn’t be fair on either of them. A clean break was easier, or at least that’s what she’d told herself in the beginning. It didn’t seem to have proven itself true yet.

Shaking her head to clear the image of Nathan from her mind, Jessica made sure the alarm was set in her phone to call her dad later; it was his birthday, and she had a surprise for him that she couldn’t wait to reveal. Then she headed out of her apartment, treading lightly on the stairs.

She was still cautious of her foot, but her company’s physiotherapist, combined with a very careful and intensive exercise routine, had worked wonders. Jessica had insisted that she couldn’t return to full training until the New Year, despite the pressure put on her by some of the instructors. She wouldn’t rush her healing. It was good to be taking part in company classes again, though, and she’d made an effort to attempt to make some new friends. There was no denying that she was part of a very competitive industry, but helping Bethany had shown her that she didn’t need to always see other dancers as the enemy. She’d spent her whole career being guarded and wary when in reality they could help and support each other. On The Sleeping Beauty’s opening night, Jessica had sent a huge bouquet of flowers to be delivered to her friend’s dressing room and she’d been in the front row, cheering Bethany on.

Jessica walked to the dance studio, dodging puddles from the heavy overnight showers. She checked the noticeboard in the hallway out of habit and found herself an empty studio. She put on her music and then began making her way through her exercises. She’d recently begun pointe work again and was pleased with her progress.

Feeling confident she could push herself more, she moved into the middle of the room and began Aurora’s Act1 variation. Her body was overtaken by Tchaikovsky’s score as it stretched and spun. She could feel her movements were almost back to pre-injury, her muscles relaxed and supple. She ended and heard applause.

She looked up and saw Nathan. Her heart leapt, but she somehow forced herself not to run into his arms. As thrilled as she was to see him, she had to protect herself, and she couldn’t hurt him any more than she had already.

She didn’t know what to say so was grateful when Nathan spoke. “That was beautiful,” he said, quietly. He had a suitcase by his feet.

“Thank you,” Jessica replied. “How... how did you get in?”

“I fed the doorman a sob story about a guy travelling across the world to speak to one of their ballerinas.”

Jessica’s heart gave a little jolt. “What are you doing here?”

“I missed you,” he said simply.

“I missed you too. You’ve travelled a long way to tell me that.”

“I’ve got some other stuff to say as well.”

“OK,” said Jessica.

“Can you take a break and come for a coffee with me?”

“Sure,” she replied, trying to act as unfazed by this turn of events as possible, even though her stomach was flipping like crazy at just the sight of him. This had definitely not been part of her plans.

Jessica pulled her hoodie and tracksuit bottoms back on and they walked in silence out of the building. Jessica noticed Nathan getting a few appreciative glances from the other dancers arriving and automatically moved closer to him.

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