Page 26 of Lucky Dance Date
“I’m scared.”
“I’ll be here. They can’t chase me off again.”
My breath caught in my throat, and I lifted my head to look at him. “José?”
“I love you, Wes. I’ve always loved you, and I’ve spent the past ten years regretting running away that night. I thought you hated me because I couldn’t protect you, so I stayed away. But now I see how much more that hurt you.”
He shifted so that he could look into my eyes. “Will you give me a chance to make it right? Will you let me protect you this time?”
“You still want me, even after what happened?”
“I’ve never stopped wanting you. You’re the only man I want.”
I started sobbing and launched myself at him. I needed to be in his arms—the place that brought me more peace than anywhere else on Earth.
“I love you Wes,” he said again, running his hand up and down my back. “Nothing will ever change that.”
“I love you too!” I cried. I cried for the years wasted, and the hurt that had hung between us. I cried for the trials to come, because I knew it would be ugly and I was scared I wasn’t strong enough.
José held me through it all, until my tears subsided to hiccups.
“Show me around your studio?” he asked when I finally quieted.
I nodded and moved off his lap. He stood and helped me up.
“Welcome to Clover Dance Studio,” I said softly, voice shaking.
“It’s nice,” he replied. “I think you’ll teach plenty of kids to dance here.”
I smiled. “The floor needs work.”
“Was that what the dance was for?”
I nodded. “Partially. I’m hoping a bank will approve me for a loan if I ask for less than I did initially. Most of it will go to make sure rent is covered though, and to get a temp floor until I can afford to get a new floor put in.”
“How much will a new floor cost?”
I blew out a long breath. “I was quoted just under ten grand for a sprung floor to replace this one.”
“Is that all?”
I nodded.
José growled, and I flinched, closing my eyes.
Scratching.
I opened my eyes to see José scribbling on a check.
“José?”
He handed me the check, and I nearly started crying again when I saw the amount written on it. It was for twelve thousand dollars.
“I… I can’t take this.”
He shook his head. “Tonight was a fundraiser. This is my donation.”
“But…”
