Page 30 of Dirty Dancer

“He told me,” Freddie said, one corner of his mouth quirking up. “But you’re free until then?”

“Liam says I’m very expensive, especially when I keep making changes to the show.” He’d said with as much laughter in his voice as there was exasperation. “Course, he also complains when I don’t spend money so…” I spread my arms. “What are you going to do?”

“Make fun of him,” Freddie said with a chuckle.

I wrinkled my nose, but I couldn’t hide my own smile. “That’s fair.” I went over to the drawer and opened it. Since I wasn’t performing today or going out until later, I could dress in the comfy clothes.

“I know you just danced…”

I looked over my shoulder to find him staring at me with a nervous air shimmering around him. “Yes.”

He blinked. “I haven’t asked you anything yet.”

I pulled out a pair of leggings and then opened a second drawer to pull out a shorter, workout skirt. “My answer is still yes, but I will hold it in reserve until you ask the question.”

Clothes in hand, I turned to face him and leaned back against the dresser. The corners of Freddie’s mouth curved upward into an adorable smirk. “You will, huh?”

“I can do pretty much anything for you,” I said and all at once his expression softened.

“You know that it’s the same for me…and I’m working on the rest.”

“You’re perfect the way you are.”

He snorted. “I’m a lot of things Boo-Boo, but I’m not perfect.”

I shrugged. “You’re perfect for me.”

Freddie saw me and my damage long before any of the others did. He seemed to resonate with me and when I needed someone to truly understand, he was right there. If I could give him anything in the world, it would be the freedom from what happened to him. Since I couldn’t do that, I would treasure that he understood me and I would be with him every single step of the way.

A flush touched his cheeks and his ears went a little red. When he ducked his chin, I had to smother my own smile. I hadn’t meant to embarrass him but he deserved to hear how much I appreciated him.

He deserved so much more.

“I adore you,” I reminded him. “You can get away with anything you want, but you don’t get to talk bad about you. I’ll fight you on that.”

A huff of laughter escaped him. “What am I going to do with you, Boo-Boo?”

“Like I said, anything you want. Now, ask your question so I can say yes and figure out what I’m wearing.”

That earned me another chuckle. “Very gracious of you.”

“I have manners,” I said, almost primly. “It was one of the things Jasper liked about me.”

His actual guffaw tickled me. “One of the things…” The humor sparkling in his eyes chased away the shadows even as the flush in his cheeks cooled. “Boo-Boo, never leave me.”

“Cross my heart and hope to die,” I said, miming the motion. “Stick a thousand needles in some bad guy’s eye.”

Lips pursed, he straightened and raised his eyebrows.

“What?” I said, spreading my hands. “I don’t want to stick needles in any of our eyes.”

“You know,” he said. “Let’s just go with it.”

I beamed and he pushed up off the bed before he crossed to me.

“Up for giving me dance lessons today?”

“Absolutely,” I told him. “Can we grab food first?”

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