Page 116 of Gracefully Yours

“That’d be great. I’d like to run the group performance one more time tonight too, just to get any jitters out.” Keep the muscle memory fresh.

“I think that sounds perfect,” she agreed.

“Okay. I’m going to find Daniel—erm, my husband, now.”

She clapped her hands together. “He’s here? I haven’t gotten to meet him yet.”

Surprising, considering how Daniel insisted on picking me up most nights, because he knew I hated driving.

I nodded. “He just went to go pick up coffee.”

We’d been running late this morning—partially because we’d chosen to shower together, and that never ended quickly. I flushed.

After our meeting with all the parents and guardians of the dancers, I was heading back to find Daniel when a familiar face made me stop in my tracks.

“Charlotte, is that you?” Her tight curls bounced as she ran over, wrapping her arms around me.

“Oh my god. Grace?” I hugged my old friend. “It’s been forever.” We’d been in the same ballet class growing up, attending the same studio until we were eighteen. Until I’d moved to Portland.

She grinned. “How’s everything been with you? Still dancing?”

“A little. I mostly just teach my kids and choreograph on the side now, but every once in a while I do a routine just for me. What about you? How have you been?” It was crazy to run into her here. As far as I’d known, she’d stayed in California. Most of our competitions up here were regional, unless one of our dancers was good enough to go to a national competition.

“Oh my god, I’ve been amazing. I’m actually opening a summer intensive in California, and even the extended session is almost full.”

“Wow.” I blinked. “That’s amazing.”

Regular dance studios didn’t operate in the summer—it was a chance for kids to just be kids. Normally, in the summers, I used that break to come up with new ideas. Choreograph new routines for competitions. Usually, some of the top dancers got invited to intensives all across the country. I’d even gone to them myself when I was younger.

She shrugged. “You know the type. Dance is their life. It was ours once too.” She looked away. “Though it practically still is,” Grace said with a wink. “Those were the good ol’ days, huh?”

I laughed, but the statement didn’t feel true anymore. Dance hadn’t been my life in a long time.

“What do you say you come down to California and be one of my instructors this summer?”

“Oh, I…” I fidgeted with my ring. “I couldn’t.”

Her eyes tracked the motion. “Oh my god. You’re married.”

I grinned, sticking my hand out so she could inspect the ring. “Yeah. Almost three months.”

“Shut up! Who’s the guy?”

“My best friend from college. His name’s Daniel. He’s actually here with me this weekend.”

“That’s incredible. Wow! I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you.”

She shook her head. “My news pales in comparison now. But listen, if you change your mind, and want to come down for the summer—even if he wants to come with you—let me know. I can send you the info letter with all the details.”

“Yeah, I’ll let you know if anything changes,” I agreed, even though I didn’t see myself going.

And there he was. My husband.

Holding a cup of coffee and a little bag that I was sure contained food for me, too. Because he was always taking care of me like that—making sure I was fed, that I’d been drinking water. My heart beat faster in my chest as he approached me.

“Hi,” I whispered as he leaned down to kiss my cheek before handing me the coffee.

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