Page 78 of Rome: The Ballerina

Rugger?No. She would’ve been standing over me.

Rather?She is definitely asleep.

Ding.

Dong.

I relaxed my feet in the blush pink mules and headed out of my bedroom. On the way out, I removed the silk robe that matched my slippers and gown. The smell of the Prada perfume I’d spritzed on the fabric tickled my nostrils.

“Uhhhhhhhhh.”

A yawn nearly knocked me down the stairs, but I recovered nicely. My trip down was uneventful. I brushed the sleep from my eyes every step of the way. When I finally pulled the door open, I stepped aside, waiting for my sister to waltz in. Whichever one had decided to drop by at this hour.

The idea of one of them climbing in my bed felt right. I’d enjoy every second of their warmth against me. Next to me. Just like old times.

Seconds passed without a single word. A footstep. A greeting.Nothing.

I stopped wiping my eyes to peer out of the door.

Maybe I’m still dreaming. I thought, rubbing my eyes again. When I stopped, nothing had changed. Everything was still as it was.

Saint stood on my porch with his hand in front of him and an orange bag dangling from his tall frame. His presence left me immobile. How he’d made it past August and Koen left me stunned.

“I’d be lying if I said I was sorry to bother you, Rome. Because, I’m not.”

Finding my voice, I responded, “It’s almost midnight.”

He nodded. “And, I couldn’t fathom letting another night go by without seeing you.”

“S– Saint–” I stuttered.

“You’re stunning.” He sighed, shaking his head, “Even fresh out of bed. It’s insane. You’re insane. And I’m completely and utterly smitten.”

He was intoxicating. It had been two days since meeting Aliza at Andretti’s and I was still trying to wrap my head around the things I’d said to her. Rehearsals had continued, casting a cloud of gloom over us both. Still, however, Aliza was polite and tolerable.

“I made myself clear when I said th–”

“You won’t entertain me as long as I am engaged.”

“Yes.”

“I heard you Rome. I heard you clearly. But–” he paused, stepping forward.

His feet kept moving. My head kept spinning. I expected him to stop when he reached me. But, he didn’t. Before I knew what was happening, he was inside of my home and I was feet away from the door.

“I’ve been driving myself mad thinking about you– what you said– and–everything.”

“Sa–”

“I have been trying to figure it out since I saw you that night on stage. I knew something was different then. My fiancé was next to you most of the night, yet I could only see one person. I was fixated on one person.You. Nothing has changed. It’s only gotten worse. Except the guilt I felt that night I don’t feel anymore. It’s vanished. So have my excuses for not pursuing you.”

I blinked once.

Twice.

Three times.

A fourth and fifth time.

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