Page 100 of Race to Me

The room burst into a fit of giggles. “No, you’ll need a male partner.”

Before we exit to the locker room Grace pulls us aside, “You two fit right in.” she says with a grin, then she gives me a thoughtful look. “Thank you for coming.”

“Thank you for having us!”

“One more thing. If you’d like to have a special dance with your partner at the end, it’s freestyle. Anything you want. The program will follow as such: We will have our choreographed dance, which is around eight minutes. Then, we will break off for our solos. Wear whatever you want for that dance, and you can choose any dance style, song, and hairstyle. Okay?”

The thought of having the freedom to dance to whatever I want intrigues me. “I’d love that.” I reply, the corners of my mouth turning up. I just hope Foster is prepared for what I’m going to ask him.

As I grab my bags from the locker room, I send a text to him.

Me: ‘You’re so handsome.’

His response is almost immediate.

Foster: ‘You’re so beautiful.’

I sit down on the bench, smiling and wondering how I’m going to talk him into this.

Me: ‘I mean seriously. Like, you’re the best person I’ve ever met.’

Foster: ‘What do you want? Lol.’

Me: ‘Are you busy? I want to come over.’

Foster: ‘Never too busy for you. See you soon, baby girl.’

∞∞∞

“So,” I wring my hands, standing in Foster’s room. “Do you know how to dance?”

“My grandma taught me a few moves,” he admits, sliding in front of me and capturing my hand in his.

We dance for a moment, and I can imagine a small Foster dancing with his grandmother as a child. The thought warms my heart. “Were you two close?”

“Yeah,” he says with a small smile, his mind lingering on a memory.

I worry for him, for the loss of family. “I wish I could have met her.”

Foster stills for a moment. “You still can.”

With a wide twirl, I come back to his marble chest with happiness in my eyes. “She’s alive? I want to meet her!”

Shyly, he looks towards the door. “Maybe soon. She’s busy a lot.” he tells me. “So, you need my help practicing?”

I’m going to let him change the subject. Based on the look in his eyes, it seems like he wants to. “I actually need a dance partner.” I say quietly, biting my lip.

“Oh,” His eyes go wide. “I don’t know if I’m good enough for all that. She taught me fifties dances, nothing fancy.”

I plaster on a hopeful grin. “I have to learn the dance too, so we can do it together.” I suggest, and he cringes a little. “Kate’s going to ask Ryder.” I assure him. “You won’t be alone.”

A laugh escapes his perfect lips. “That’s not going to work. He can’t dance at all.”

I’m sure they’ll figure it out. “So, will you? I really want this.” I beg with a subtle pout of my lower lip.

“It’ll make you happy?” Foster asks. I reply with a nod. “Will it be in front of a bunch of people?”

“A few,” I lie. It’s a simple lie, but a lie all the same. We’re going to be performing at a fancy theatre downtown. If he doesn’t feel comfortable after the first practice together, then no worries. I can ask Brett if need be.

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