Page 26 of Kissing the Debutant
“Mia.” A disapproving frown marred his mom’s face. “It’s not nice to call people snobs.”
“Even when it’s true? She’ssouptight. It’s kind of ridiculous, actually.”
Jack lifted his face and sighed. “It’s not her fault, you know. You should have seen her mom.”
His mom put a hand on his shoulder. “Some people are raised with more ambition than love.”
Was that true? As soon as he thought it, he knew the answer. Lillian had everything most kids dreamed of. Money. A big talent.
But had she ever had kindness?
He ran a hand through his hair. “Mia is right, Mom. We definitely need a giant plate of chili cheese fries after that.”
She tapped her pen against the pad of paper. “You got it, kiddo. And two Diet Cokes?”
Mia mimed puking—her favorite move—and Jack looked to his mom like she’d betrayed him.
She laughed. “Kidding. Kidding. Wouldn’t want to deprive my eldest son of the sugar he needs to rot his teeth.”
“Thank you for realizing that.”
She muttered something under her breath and walked away.
Jack leaned against the sticky vinyl of the booth and released a tired sigh. “Well, that was a mess.”
Mia shrugged. “Good thing your cousin owns a dance studio. Ask one of the other dancers.”
But he didn’t want another dancer. From the first moment he’d seen Lillian dance, he’d been mesmerized, and from the first time he’d heard her mother yell, he’d been sad. How could a woman treat her daughter so poorly? And why did Jack feel like it was his job to fix it, to show Lillian it didn’t have to be that way? Dancing didn’t have to mean harsh choreographers, constant berating, and impossible diet restrictions. To him, it had always been about expression, freedom, and creativity. When he danced, he didn’t have to care what anyone thought of him or the limitations of his future.
He could imagine there was money for college, that he wouldn’t have to scrape and claw through his entire life.
What did Lillian imagine when she danced? Did she dream at all, or was she too focused on the perfection of it, the precision?
“Earth to Jack.” Mia leaned over the table to snap her fingers in front of his face. “Hello?”
“What?” He shook himself. “Did you say something?”
“Only that I’ve decided to run away and join the circus.”
“Huh?”
A laugh burst out of her. “Oh wow, I could’ve said anything, and you were too zoned out to hear me. What if I was professing my undying love for you?”
“Were you?” He lifted a brow.
“Gross, no.” She put a hand on her chest. “Good little me was trying to figure out which dancer would work foryourvideo.”
“Lillian. Lillian works.”
“Dude, hate to break it to you, but she does not agree. Maybe you should ask Riley. She’s always had a thing for you, and she’s not bad. Or Sarah. She’s cute, so the entire class would totally ship you guys. You’d look so good together.”
He shook his head. “No, it has to beher.”He didn’t need to explain who her was.
“But why? I know this is totally unfathomable, but I don’t think she even likes you.”
“She doesn’t have to like me.” In fact, it was probably better for the video if she didn’t. Those were the emotions he needed to show. “She just has to dance.”
His mom returned and set a heaping plate of chili cheese fries and two Cokes in front of them before sliding in next to Jack. “Time for my break.” She stole a fry. “What did I miss?”
