Page 4 of Surprisingly Us

Every form of the word causes an adrenaline spike in my veins. My nails immediately find the itchy patch of skin that’s starting to bloom across my chest.

I’ve danced onstage for thousands of people before, so why does the idea of sitting in front of one person and sharing a meal with them make me break out in hives?

Maybe it’s not just the meal sharing thing, it’s all the things that come after that.

I pull my water bottle out of my bag and press it against my red, splotchy chest.

Dating.

I’ve never been in love, never had my heart broken, never allowed myself to be vulnerable the way people in love do.Because all of that would require dating and putting myself out there to meet someone.

It’s not that I don’t want those things. I do. I simply haven’t had time for them. I’ve been drilling technique, pushing myself to be the best technical dancer I can be, and now I’m learning that the one thing holding me back from becoming a principal dancer is the fact that I haven’t lived my life outside the studio? Instead, I’ve been living and breathing ballet for eighteen years.

Well, that and the small issue that I’m allergic to dating.

It’s a medical condition, really.

An unexplained phenomenon that I can’t control and therefore have decidedly chosen to avoid its trigger.

Dating.

The red bumps start to spread down my arms.

The couple catches me staring and my cheeks warm with embarrassment. I hadn’t even realized I’d still been watching them.

I pull my gaze from the young couple and throw my bag over my shoulders.

Okay, time to go.

Walking through the complex, t, the spring session posters are still hung in the presentation boxes outside. Ava Wilks and Zuri Moore, two of The City Ballet’s principal dancers, gracefully captured by the company’s photographer. The three of us have been dancing together since we were young.

As a friend, I’m happy for them, but I want more for myself.

I don’t want to only be known for being a flawless technical dancer. I want to move people with my performance. Ignite passion and emotion. And be promoted to principal.

It’s not even a want at this point, it’s a necessity. Principal is the pinnacle of my hopes and dreams as a dancer and I wouldn’t be able to look myself in the mirror in the morning if I wasn’t giving one hundred percent effort to reach my goal. Landing thelead inRubiesis a vital step toward that goal, and in turn finding passion in my life to influence my dancing is what I need to do.

If dating is what I need to do to unlock the passionate dancer within me, then I’ll have to push past this mental block and physical reaction. And I’ll figure out how I’m going to do that right after I get a hydrocortisone cream on this rash.

CHAPTER 2

Rhys

The tie around my neck is suffocating me. I reach up to loosen it, then glance around the large mahogany table at all the unfamiliar faces.

I’d ask someone to open a window if we weren’t on the eightieth floor.

I avoid stuffy boardrooms if I can help it, but today is necessary.

After being away for nearly five years, I’m back in New York City for the annual meeting for The Spencer Foundation. While I usually attend these meetings virtually, line-item number two on today’s meeting agenda,Rhys Spencer trust fund installment,is the only reason I made the effort to show up.

As I wait for the rest of the suits to filter in, I scroll through the flood of texts I’ve received since my return to the city was announced.

Party invites and friends looking to catch up.

Acquaintances wanting to meet about investment opportunities.

And women texting me to meet up. Lots of women.

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