Page 56 of Dance With Me
“Of course. Come to the office around lunchtime, and I’ll get us something to eat. Are you sure you’re OK?” Joe was concerned now and starting to panic a little. “Is it the stalker? Has something happened?”
“I’ll explain tomorrow. Look, I have to go now. Dom and Nat have just arrived, and we have some things we need to work out. I’ll see you tomorrow though.” Seb took a breath, as if gathering himself. “Goodnight, Joe.”
“OK.” Those three words were on the tip of his tongue, but he held them back. “Goodnight, Seb.” But Joe couldn’t stop the uncomfortable feeling that his life was about to come crashing down, and there was fuck-all he could do about it.
Chapter Thirty
Seb
After he’d talked to the police about the latest incident, Seb had decided it’d be safer if he stayed with his parents for a while. Dom and Nat had offered to look after the studio for a week, maybe longer, so he could take some time out for himself and hopefully get rid of his stalker.
He knew deep down this was what he needed to do, but then there was Joe. They were finally at a point where they could try to see where their attraction would lead, and now this. If only Joe could go with him…. The idea of being separated from him upset Seb more than he’d thought it would, and he didn’t know where this would leave them. He hoped with all his heart that Joe would understand.
Seb needed to explain to him why he was going, and the only fair way he could do that was in person. He was dreading the conversation.
He’d already spoken to his parents and had arranged to go to them on Wednesday. He’d be taking Rocco with him, and he just needed to tie up a few loose ends before he went.
After a tearful Monday, wondering if he was doing the right thing, he sat down with Dom and Nat to talk about them taking some of his classes. He didn’t have many private students, but they’d need to contact them to either rearrange their lessons or have Dom do them in his stead.
He hardly slept on Monday evening, thinking about the day ahead and wondering how Joe would react to his news but also thinking of their conversation yesterday. How they’d both admitted to missing each other. Those three words had been there, lingering in the air, neither of them wanting to be the first to say them. But last night wasn’t the time, and he hoped there’d be plenty more chances for them to utter those words.
By morning, he may as well have not gone to bed. Dom woke him around eight, and they ate a small breakfast. Seb’s appetite had dwindled the last couple of weeks, and he was starting to lose weight. The stress of his stalker was taking a toll on his health too. His lack of sleep left him exhausted most of the time. The best night’s sleep he’d had in a while was when he’d stayed over at Joe’s. He’d felt safe there, protected.
Joe wasn’t about to ask him to move in with him, though, and he knew that he couldn’t continue to put his friends in danger—and that included Joe. As much as he wanted him, he knew that he had to go away to protect them all.
He walked into town with Dom, both of them quiet. Seb appreciated Dom’s silence as he really didn’t feel like talking. They arrived at Atkins and Partners around one, and Dom hugged him. Seb hugged him back and promised to call as soon as he was finished.
He stepped into the offices and was met by a small woman who was walking towards him with a huge smile on her face.
“You must be Seb. I’m Hazel.” She offered her hand for him to shake warmly. “I’m finally glad to put a face to the name. Joe often mentions you.”
Seb was surprised. “Really? He’s mentioned you too,” he replied. “Is he in his office?”
“Yes, I’ll take you there now, save directing you. It’s a bit like a rabbit warren if you don’t know where you’re going. Do you want a coffee or anything? I know Joe’s been out to get some lunch for you both.”
“Just water would be fine, thanks.” By this time, they’d arrived at a door with Joe’s name on it. Seb smiled. He hadn’t even known his last name. ‘Joseph Bradley - Senior Partner’. He ran his fingers over the name and then knocked.
Joe was there in an instant and stepped back to allow him in.
They looked at each other awkwardly, neither knowing what to say.
“I’ll just go and get your water. Do you want a drink, Joe?” Hazel asked.
“Coffee would be good, thanks.” Joe gestured to a comfy sofa, and Seb sat, Joe sitting down next to him.
“Nice office and a magnificent view of the cathedral.” Seb stood up again to look out of the window. “Is that where you got your shoes from?” Seb was too nervous to sit.
Joe came to stand next to him. “It is. I got some stick from Hazel about those, you know. She couldn’t believe that I was taking dance lessons, let alone extra ones. My reputation for dancing precedes me.” They both laughed, but it sounded forced, as if neither of them knew how to act around each other.
Hazel returned with the drinks and closed the door as she left the office.
Joe looked at Seb expectantly. “Shall we eat first? And then I’ll tell you what’s going on,” Seb said.
Joe had bought a couple of salads, and they sat on the sofa to eat. They talked briefly about the weather and how busy Joe had been. He talked about Hazel and a little about work, but they both avoided the subject of Clare and the cancelled wedding. Seb could hardly eat, nausea threatening to bring up the little that he’d eaten.
All too soon, they finished lunch, and Seb realised that he needed to come clean. He took Joe’s plate from him and placed them both on the desk. He just hoped Joe wouldn’t write him off and would be willing to wait for him until he came back. But after their conversation last night, he hoped that he would. He’d seemed eager enough at the weekend to make a go of it, so he was hopeful.
“So, where to start.” Seb looked down at his hands as he sat back down next to Joe. This was pure torture for him.
