Page 77 of Last Dance, Second Chance

“It’s so good to see you walking without crutches,” Nathan commented as Jessica directed him towards her favourite coffee shop.

“It feels good,” she said.

“Grab a table. Your usual?” he said when they entered the blissfully warm haven, filled with the smell of pastries and coffee beans.

Jessica nodded and sat down at her favourite table for two by the window, and Nathan soon returned with two black Americanos.

“So,” Jessica said, “what have you come all the way here to tell me?”

“That I love you,” said Nathan, calmly taking a sip of his drink like they were just passing the time of day. “But I need to build up to that bit.” His eyes were seemingly determined to avoid hers.

Jessica stared at him open-mouthed while he continued, trying to quickly process what was happening rationally and not fling herself at him. They’d both been hurt, and she didn’t want that to happen again. She wasn’t sure her heart could handle it.

“I’ve been watching videos of you performing,” Nathan admitted. “I needed to understand why ballet meant so much to you, why you’ve devoted so much of your life to it. And I think I do now, at least a little. When you dance, you’re... mesmerising,” he said. “I couldn’t leave things as they were between us, and the more I thought about it, the more I realised how much I wanted to be with you. I can handle playing second fiddle to your dancing.”

“You would never be in second place,” Jessica said, meeting Nathan’s eyes. “I promise you that. But I’m not ready to give up dancing yet.”

“I understand that, and I don’t want you to,” he said. “Ballet is a huge part of you, and it has to be completely your decision when you decide to retire. I can move here. I’ve been looking into it...”

“I don’t think that would be a very good idea,” she said gently, trying to control her emotions as her heart beat wildly in her chest.

Nathan’s face fell and he broke eye contact. “I promise you, I’m completely over Claire. I realise now that if we’d been right for each other, we would have made our marriage work, no matter where she needed to travel for her work.”

“I think that’s very true, and no, it’s not because of Claire. I believe you if you say you’re over her,” Jessica said.

“Then if it’s too much too soon...” he began, his gaze returning to hers.

“No, it’s not that,” Jessica said, trying to hide the smile from her face. “It wouldn’t be a good idea because I’m moving back to the UK.”

“What?”

“I’ve been miserable here without you and my family, mainly you, if I’m being completely honest.” Jessica felt the relief of finally being able to get her feelings out. “I’ve been planning how I could come back basically from the second my plane touched down at JFK Airport two months ago. An audition came up here in New York for the Royal London Ballet Company and I’ve been offered a place with them. A prima ballerina position.”

“So you’ll be living in London?”

“Yes, from the beginning of February. I’m coming home for Christmas and I’ll look for a flat near the company then. But I’ll want to spend plenty of time in Bowerbridge too, with you, I hope.”

“Maybe you could stay with me on weekends when you’re not performing...”

“I’d love that, if it would be OK?”

“I think that would definitely be OK,” said Nathan, pulling her into his arms. “I spent the whole of my flight working out how I was going to convince you to give us a chance.”

“What a waste of time.” Jessica laughed.

He kissed her, then whispered into her ear, “To return to my original point — I love you, Jessica Stone.”

“I love you too, Nathan Townsend.”

Epilogue

Five years later

Jessica curtseyed and accepted the bouquet of red roses handed to her by the little girl who stared at her with eyes like saucers.

It was the final night of her run as Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty at the Royal Opera House. This hadn’t been her first principal role, by any means, and it wasn’t even the first time she’d played Aurora, but this would be her last role and her final performance.

She’d informed the ballet company directors a month ago, but her retirement wouldn’t be officially announced until the following day. She’d wanted to celebrate with her husband first.

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