Page 90 of Wonderstruck

“Finn,” I said softly, my chest aching forhim. “It’s okay. I’m okay. And… it’snice to know you care this much.”

Hiseyes snapped up to mine, searchingmy face for something I couldn’t name.“Of course I care,” he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

I gave him a small smile, reaching out ahand. “Will you stay with me?”

He didn’t hesitate. His fingers slid intomine, warm and grounding, and I squeezed them lightly.

As I let my head rest against the flat pillow, giving me the perfect viewing platform to watch some truth shine back in his smile, two words flew through my mind.

Baby steps.

He was trying. That much was clear. And knowing that made me sink into every feeling I'd been telling myself to let go of.

chapter twenty three

i didn’t realise until today that seeing a man in a tutu was a turn on

“Aurora, I swear to God, if you turn up to practice tonight with any more injuries…” Aspen’s voice crackled through the line, sharp with exasperation and a slither of annoyance that felt oddly similar to what I imagined having a protective older sister would feel like.

“It wasn’t that bad,” I protested, glancingdown at the bandage peeking out from under my skirt. “Barely a car. More like a very determined bumper.”

Aspen didn’t find it funny. “A sprained wristand a gash on your thigh say otherwise. You’re lucky, Aurora. So damn lucky.”

She wasn’t wrong. I felt lucky. The kind oflucky that made you hyper-aware of every breath, every step, and every ache that could have been so much worse.

“I know,” I said, forcing a lightness into myvoice. “I promise I’ll be careful. After we’re done here, Cora’s bodyguard is taking us back—”

A sharp click from across the studio cut meoff. I turned to see Cora standing nearby, her brows furrowed as she made an exaggerated chopping motion across her neck.“What?”I mouthed.

She rolled her eyes and leaned closer, her voice dropping to a hiss. “We’re taking a cab,” she snapped. “Jamie’s not taking us.”

Confused, I blinked at her but shrugged it off.“Change of plans. We’re taking a cab.” I said into the phone.

“However you get home, just get there in onepiece,” Aspen urged, her tone leaving no room for argument.

“I will,” I promised, my lips curving into asmall smile.

“Good. Let me know how ballet goes. You’llwake up tomorrow aching in places you didn’t even know you could ache, but it’ll be worth it. Trust me. You’ll thank me when you nail your technique at regionals.”

I chuckled. “I’m sure I will. See you, Aspen.”

“Later, Rory.”

As the call ended, I turned my attention backto Cora. “What’s the deal? Why isn’t Jamie coming?”

Her shoulders tensed as she adjusted herblack leotard, her expression carefully neutral for someone who had a resting bitch face eighty percent of the time. “He’s just… not. And I don’t want to talk about it.” The sharpness in her tone stung, but before Icould respond, she exhaled, tucking her hair behind her ears. “Sorry. I’m just really, really stressed.”

Daisy, who had been fiddling with the layersof her tutu, looked up with a cheerful grin. “Well, that’s why we’re here. To de-stress, remember?”

Cora arched a brow, her lips curving into afaint smirk. “I thought it was because Rory was too scared to come alone.”

“Hey!” I grabbed a pointe shoe from my bagand threw it at her. The ribbons fluttered in the air like streamers before landing harmlessly by her feet.

Daisy laughed, tugging her pink tights higheras she stretched her leg onto the barre. “That, and because ballet just looks so… therapeutic, doesn’t it?”

Before any of us could answer, the studiodoors flew open with a loud bang. A flurry of blonde hair, a pastel pink leotard, and a matching tutu burst into the room like a whirlwind.

“I’m sorry I’m late!” Goldie panted, sliding to a stop in front of us, her cheeks flushed.

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