Page 113 of Surprisingly Us

And not because I was still a little hungover when I got here. With hydration and ibuprofen, the headache and dry mouth have subsided, yet there’s still this out-of-body feeling. Less control, more chaotic energy. Like I’m letting my body dance instead of my brain.

In the mirror, I watch my image, looking for any flaws in my technique.

My lines are perfect.

As I try to pinpoint the source of uncertainty, the music crescendos and I land one last jump before holding a final position.

Two breaths later, I stand and catch my own gaze in the mirror. The woman staring back at me looks wild, uncontained.

I’d be breathless if the adrenaline from thinking about Rhys wasn’t pumping through my veins. I grab a towel off a chair in the corner and dab at my forehead.

From the doorway comes a slow clap.

When I turn to find the source, it’s Alexei, and he’s smiling ear to ear as he walks toward me.

“There she is,” he says, his accent thick as ever.

I’d ask who he’s talking about, but I’m the only one here.

“A dancer with passion and fire. Wow. I don’t know how you tapped into it, but Colette, whatever you’ve done, don’t stop now.”

“Thank you,” I say, trying to contain my elation. His words have my pulse quickening, and my breath coming faster than it was during that entire dance sequence.

Alexei’s compliment is everything I’ve been working for, but then I let his words sink in.

Whatever you’ve done, don’t stop now.

Alexei squeezes my shoulder. “Whatever is fueling this, hold onto it until evaluations.”

I know what is fueling this fire.Rhys.

I give him a weak smile. “Right.”

No matter how much I don’t want to admit it in this moment, especially because I’m still very angry with him, he’s inspired this change. He’s gotten me out of my routine in a good way, showed me it’s okay to have fun, necessary even, and there’s no doubt last night awakened something in me as well.

“I know you will because you’re going to do everything you possibly can to nail this evaluation and get that lead role inRubies.”

The realization that I need Rhys if I want to stay in tune with this newfound passion in my dancing is annoying. He’s not the sole reason for the change, right? I can maintain this on my own. Maybe I’ll replay the video Hannah sent me of his proposal and it will continue to fuel me.

What if that doesn’t work? What if the only way to ensure a more passionate performance at evaluations is to keep fake-dating Rhys? Well, after last night, I’ll need to continue to be fake engaged to him.

The headache I nursed this morning is slowly seeping back in. This is a mess.

When I don’t respond, Alexei smiles. “Don’t stress. Get through evaluations and then you can worry about wedding planning.”

I force a smile onto my face.

“Right. Thanks.”

Wedding planning is not my issue.

At least not my main issue, I think, remembering the texts from my mom this morning insisting that we start looking at venues right away because they book years in advance.

What am I going to do?

I watch Alexei leave, then gather my bag and head toward the dressing room.

All the missed calls and texts are weighing heavy on me, but right now, I need to talk to Hannah. She knows us both and hopefully will be able to help me sort out this mess.

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