Page 55 of Easy Rumba

Chapter 25

Elise

“Ifeel sick.” I bury my head into Leo’s chest. He’s wearing a tight, black shirt, which is open down to his navel. It’s fucking sexy. I’m in another barely-there dress with a big slit up the thigh. Possibly not the best outfit to be wearing on the weekend before you have a Monday court date to get your little girl back.

Please don’t let it count against me.

Izzy’s a tomboy. She’s unlikely to ever wear this outfit.

I’ll be lucky if I ever get her to wear a dress in my lifetime.

“You always feel sick. Suck-it up, wimp,” Leo retorts and brings me out of my thoughts of Izzy. This will be the first time I’ve danced without her in the audience. I wonder if she’s watching on television. I bet Simon won’t allow it. “Earth to Elise.” Leo gently nudges me.

“Sorry.” I snap back out of my reflection.

“Gabby is here, and I‘m sure Izzy’s thinking of you. She knows the entire running order of the show.”

“I want her back.”

“And you will on Monday, but for now, let’s go and show Simon that he’s not got you rattled. Dance the best you’ve ever done. Give me the Elise I know and love.”

“I will.”

We walk forward onto the stage together, and Leo takes his stance. I wrap myself around his body and press my head to his chest. The opening bars of our musical track start. It’s ‘La Cumparsita’, made famous by the original Latino lover himself, Julio Iglesias. It’s a stunning piece of music, and I’ll never grow tired of listening to it. It’s also fast paced, which means I’ve got no room for error with my kicks and flicks. This dance is all about the passion between Leo and me. It’s been my favorite to learn, even if we haven’t had much time to practice it. I won’t let Simon win. I’ll show him how little he’s bothering me by getting to the finals.

I allow the music to take all the emotions of the week away. It’s just Leo and me. We’re in a club in Argentina. People are watching us as we show them how the dance of love is done. Ochos(figure-eights),ganchos(leg hooks),giros(turns) are all done to increase the points with the judges. I’ve no idea how I’ve learned this dance in so little time. I think it’s the passion behind it. I needed to forget everything and lose myself in the dance. As we twist and turn in open and closed embrace, I don’t take my eyes off Leo’s. They’re dark, his pupils dilated with wanton need. Every night since we’ve returned from Spain, we’ve spent with him buried deep inside me. We’ve needed the reassurance of our connection together.

The music ends, and the crowd goes wild. It’s a welcome sound after the relative silence following our dance last week.

“Absolutely fabulous.” Denzel starts the judges commentary. “You two have just proven you can’t keep the passion down.”

“After the week you’ve both had, it wouldn’t have surprised me if you’d come out here and struggled, but that dance has, in my opinion, sealed your place in the finals.” Sharon adds her thoughts.

All Elton has to say is, “Bravo, bravo, bravo.” Before falling off his chair with the enthusiasm coursing through his body.

With the Judges commentary done, we’re allowed backstage for the scores. We hold our breath but don’t need to. A score of thirty is given. Another top score and only the second time Denzel has given a ten before the finals. It’s a miracle, but I couldn’t be happier.

While we wait for the public vote, we all head to the canteen area for a drink and snack. I take a seat with Leah while Leo fetches me a diet coke and packet of chips. My appetite hasn’t been the best this week, but dancing has left me hungry.

“How are you feeling?” Leah asks as she takes a sip of her chai macchiato. She’s always first in the queue.

“I’m better for getting the dance out of the way. Like Sharon said, I expected to struggle tonight. I’m surprised we got thirty. It’s a dream come true.”

I watch, mesmerized, as she first puts one sugar and then another into her drink. I’m more of a bitter coffee drinker myself, preferring black with a splash of milk, so how anyone can enjoy such a sugary warm drink astounds me. Leo is the same, though, and tips half a pot of sweetener into his black coffee.

“It was a brilliant dance. You both did amazingly. I got goosebumps. It was like it was something we shouldn’t be watching…if you know what I mean. Personal to you and Leo. All I can say is you must rock the bedroom together.” She winks at me, and I laugh.

“His ability to thrust his hips in Latin dances is famous for a good reason.” I’m just as good with the teasing as she is. “What happens when the show finishes? Do you immediately start on next year’s?”

“We normally get a little break.” Leah looks around us. It seems as though she’s making sure nobody is within hearing distance. “I won’t be coming back next year, though.”

“You won’t?” I’m shocked. For all intents and purposes, it’s seems as though Leah Winter is a permanent fixture on this show.

“No.” She shakes her head. “It’s been a tough decision, but I think it’s time to move on. I pitched an idea to the company executives, and they picked it up, so I’m going to be working on that.”

“An idea?”

“Yes, a series of documentaries concerning important issues in America today.” Leah lifts her cup up to her lips and takes a big mouthful of her drink. “Healthcare worries, army wives, that sort of thing. My first program will be about surviving domestic violence.”

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