Page 188 of Surprisingly Us

Isabella’s face lights up even more. “Maybe you and Rhys can get married there.”

“Put it on the list,” Sebastian says.

“Wait. There’s a list?” I ask.

“Ramsey and I have started planning.”

All I can do is laugh. Both Ramsey and Sebastian know our engagement is fake, so I’m not sure why they’re starting to plan a wedding.

The conversation moves to what we did over the weekend. Isabella and Dimitri went to a friend’s birthday party, while Sebastian and Ramsey had a relaxing weekend at home.

“You and Rhys were at a wedding, right?” Isabella asks.

“Yeah, Hunter and Sophie got married, and it was a blast.”

As I eat another bite of chicken and mixed greens, I recall Hunter and Sophie’s wedding. Rhys and I had the best time celebrating. It reminded me of how everything between us had started at Hannah’s wedding, but it was even more fun dancing with him this time knowing we were together.

When the news of his donation to Leg-Up was revealed, I’d been shocked. Rhys is wealthy, so it makes sense that he would be able to give such a generous donation, but what had surprised me more was that he hadn’t told me. That he was happy to give the money because it made me happy, not because he would get credit for it.

With his grandfather in attendance, he refused to wear a more colorful suit, and instead opted for a dark blue one, yet he had no problem going down on me in the bride’s lounge. I told him it didn’t make sense but he assured me he had his priorities straight.

We finish our light lunch, because nobody wants to finish evaluations with an overly full stomach, then pack up our things and return to the practice studio.

Before we take the floor, Isabella squeezes my arm.

“You’re going to do great.”

“Thanks.” I embrace her. “I know you will, too.”

Sebastian twists his torso, his nervous energy making him restless.

That’s the moment I realize I’m not as nervous as I thought I’d be. A little bit of nerves is healthy, it’s motivating, but most of the session evaluations before today I was constantly second-guessing myself, getting in my head and not letting my dancing speak for itself. Everything was wrapped up in this one moment. Who I was, what my future was going to be. It’s important to be prepared, but I was so far past that I was burnt out with training because the fear of not having the right role and getting promoted to principal was all I had.

But that’s not true anymore.

Now there’s Rhys, who I’m completely falling in love with. Through book club I’ve gotten to know Chloe, Emma, and Sophie better. This summer, I’ve become closer with Isabella and Sebastian. Speaking of Sebastian, he and Ramsey are hot and heavy now, and it’s honestly the most fun to go out on double dates with them. My students at Leg-Up are everything and I’ll continue to volunteer my time there as long as they’ll have me.

And I’ve learned that while I love to dance, sometimes keeping a passion for something involves taking a break from it so you rest and recharge, and be excited to do it again. I don’t want to treat my career like a list of items to check off.

While I’ll always be a committed dancer and give one hundred percent effort, there is life outside of dancing. And that makes this moment less stressful.

We spend fifteen minutes warming up, then move into the sequences we’ve been working on this week. It’s not an audition with a certain starting and stopping point, but more of a fluid observation.

As I move through the routine, I forget about the director watching. I forget all about Alexei and his comments earlier this summer, and I simply feel the dance. The heartbreak of my parents’ pending divorce, the thrill of falling in love with Rhys, because no matter which way I try to spin it, that’s what is happening, and with all of that comes passion and desire and heartbreak, and a million other emotions.

Before I know it, we’ve performed all the pieces and Alexei dismisses us for the day.

“Thank you, dancers. We’ll have a decision for you shortly.”

No matter what happens today, whether I land the lead role inRubiesor not, I know I gave it everything I have.

CHAPTER 57

Rhys

I’m on the phone with Sandeep when Colette bursts through the door.

When she hears Sandeep talking, her mouth makes an O shape as she realizes I’m on the phone.

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