Page 31 of Passing Ships

Wade just shakes his head.

“How the hell did you get so good?” I ask him.

“I’ve had some private instruction,” he says with a wink.

“Cheater,” I mumble.

After a few more attempts, something starts to click. I’m not exactly graceful, but I’m not tripping over my own feet or Amiya’s as much.

“See? I knew you could do it,” Amiya says, and the note of reassurance in her voice makes me feel like maybe I’m not completely hopeless.

We continue practicing, repeating the steps over and over until the movements become almost natural. By the time the lesson ends, I’m sweating, but there’s a sense of accomplishment too. Amiya and I stand side by side, watching our reflection in the mirrors as Eden gives us a final critique.

“Good job, everyone. You’ve made some real progress,” she says, looking at me specifically. “With a little more practice, you’ll be ready for the wedding.”

I nod, too tired to say much, but Amiya beams at the compliment.

“We’ll keep practicing. Every night,” she promises, her hand still resting on my arm. There’s a heat in her touch that I’m suddenly very aware of.

“Every night?” I question as my eyes flicker down to her.

“If that’s what it takes.”

Shit.

Eden dismisses us, and we grab our things, heading out into the early evening. The sky is glowing, the sun setting in a blaze of color that feels almost surreal after the dimness of the studio.

“So,” Amiya says, her tone teasing, “don’t worry; I’ll whip you into shape before the wedding.”

I shrug, though there’s a small smile on my face. “Good. Seb would never let me live it down if I bailed.”

“And I’d never let you live it down if you made me look bad either.”

We walk to her car in comfortable silence, the sound of our footsteps echoing off the sidewalk. It’s a warm night, the kind that makes everything feel a little more relaxed, a little more possible.

“Lennon.”

I turn back at the sound of Parker calling my name.

“Wings and beer at the condo,” he shouts.

I look over at Amiya and raise my brows in question.

“Sounds good to me,” she says as she rounds the hood of the car.

“We’ll be there,” I call back.

Amiya

I take the shot and slam the glass down on the table.

“Wanna play strip poker?” I ask Lennon, who is sitting across from me.

It’s just us, Sebastian, and Avie. Everyone else is out on the beach.

He grins and shakes his head. “I’m not getting naked in front of my brother’s fiancée.”

I raise a brow. “At least you’re smart enough to know you’d lose.”

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