Page 190 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

“It’s over-priced,” I added loudly to Dante’s back. “And needs a lot of work in the kitchen.” I hurried after their retreating backs. “The next street over looks dodgy!”

They ascended the stairs, leaving me alone with my rumblings. I glared at the empty space. Humph. The sellers could have at least put some furniture around. Didn’t they know anything about enticing buyers? Dante was ready to get on the property ladder…finally. London prices had always been above the national average, even with the property implosion a few years ago; buying anywhere in and around London would set the average Joe back a pretty penny. Luckily, Dante had great credit and a mega-healthy deposit, financially he was all set so he was now steaming ahead with becoming a first time buyer at this stage in his life. I didn’t want him to move out. Yes, it indicated a selfish streak, but if Dante left me - well, I just didn’t want anyone else to leave me.

A short while later they returned, both smiling amidst their relaxed conversation about planning permission for an extension out back. Dante gave me a thumbs up and my non-verbal response was a middle finger. Hey, at least it was in an upright position. I opened my mouth to once again state my unhappiness and the words didn’t sound right. Dante looked at me in confusion. I was confused too. Did I just jumble my words incoherently? Suddenlythe strangest feeling came over me. My face became heated, my whole body felt warm and my vision zoned in on Dante’s nose. There was a tightness inside my ears and an intense wave of dizziness overwhelmed me. Then there was nothing. Shit…

“Madi? Come on! Wake up.” Dante’s frantic plea rang in my ears.

“I’m up,” I mumbled, needing to know why I was on the floor and why my ass hurt terribly.

Dante pressed his hand firmly over my shoulder as I struggled to right myself, keeping me down on the floor. “Don’t sit up. You tried before and passed out again.”

What? What the hell? Again? I had no memory of that.

“You’re going to be ok,” he assured me, stroking my clammy face with his other hand. “Fucking hell.”

“What happened? I passed out?”

“Yeah,” Dante said, his voice heavy with worry. “Twice.”

“Oh.” was all I could muster while my brain cells tried to reorganize themselves. “Are you sure?”

Dante gave me a crazed look. “You passed out.”

“Probably because we missed breakfast.” Came from me as I pushed myself into a sitting position. Dante tried to stop me again. I grimaced, my ass hurt. “Damn. Couldn’t you have caught me?”

“Madi,” Dante called in alarm.

I must have moved too fast because the room spun. Only Dante’s arms quickly encircling my upper body kept me vertical.

“Whoa,” I attempted to stay as still as possible. Well then, next time I wouldn’t skip breakfast. “I’m fine. Dante, stop squeezing me. I’m fine now.”

He helped me up, all under the fearful eye of the estate agent.

“Are you ok?” Irene asked. Her index finger hovered over the screen of her smart phone. “I can call an ambulance-”

“No.” I shot down that idea immediately and scowled at her. She had my bag in her possession.

Dante wrapped an arm around my waist, lending his strong frame in support. “We’re going to A&E.”

“I’m fine.” Why did people ignore me?

“Maybe we should call an ambulance?” The estate agent suggested again to Dante. It was obvious neither one of them thought my opinion mattered.

“I.” I pulled away from Dante. “Am.” That wobble meant nothing.Why was my heart rate so hyper? “Fine.” Arms folded now. My stance screamed business, shame they chose to ignore it.

“Can we rearrange the remaining viewings?” Dante was already sticking his hand in the pocket of my coat, rudely nabbing my car keys. An invasion of my personal space, but I liked where the conversation was going so I stayed unusually quiet. Once we left, I could easily convince him there was nothing wrong with me. A lack of breakfast and pushing myself too hard was the cause of my fainting. Sinners and Saints opened in two days, we were burning the candle at both ends and Dante’s untimely desire to assess the available properties for sale before the New Year was wreaking havoc on what little free time we had. Everyone knew the spring or summer months were the best months to start looking to buy a house. He just wanted to be awkward.

“Of course.” Irene agreed, already heading towards the front door. At this point she did hold out my bag to us as we walked by. Bag once more clutched to my side, Dante hustled me out the property and down the quiet street to where I’d parked under an hour ago.

“Um, excuse me?” The passenger door was being held opened for me. I resisted, Dante insisted.

“I’m not letting you drive.” he exclaimed, continuously shooting me worried glances. “What if you pass out behind the wheel?” He inhaled sharply. “With me in the car? No way. I’m driving.”

I felt ok now, but he did have a point. “Shall we head back to the studio? Oh man, I could murder a bacon sandwich now, or a jacket potato with tuna and cheese. It’s crazy, Dante. I can’t believe we’re-”

“Stop yakking and get in,” Dante ordered, exasperated no doubt.

I got in my car then waited until he was sat behind the wheel before continuing the conversation. “It’s going to be a tough one to pull off. We’re performing at the Hippodrome from the second week in January and I still haven’t heard back from that hotel concerning accommodations.”

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