Page 72 of Kissing the Debutant
“Because I wanted you on that stage with me. Jack, I’m so sorry for everything. My mother. Landon. That stupid ball. I shouldn’t have brought you there.”
“No,” he stopped her. “I wanted to be there for you. I was stupid.”
“I was stupid.”
“Can we just agree we both went completely nuts, and we’re both sorry?”
She nodded, pulling him in for another kiss.
A knock on the storage room door had them pulling apart. Lillian yanked the door open, flooding the room with light. The three girls they’d passed earlier stared in at them, smirks firmly in place.
“Sorry to interrupt,” one of them said. “I mean, we’re really sorry.” She laughed.
One of the others punched her arm. “What Jenna means to say, Lil, is that your mom is looking for you, and we thought it would be best if we found you first.”
The first girl tried and failed to suppress her laughter. “Imagine that dragon lady finding you here.”
Jack rubbed a hand across his face, but the soft smile on Lillian’s lips eased his nerves. She was comfortable here with these girls that looked and acted nothing like her.
“Um…” Lilian laughed. “So, this is Jack. He’s my, um, choreographer.”
“Some choreographer.” The brunette wiggled her eyebrows.
“Jack, meet Rose, Layne, and Jenna.” She turned back to the girls. “You said my mom is looking for me?”
Rose nodded. “She’s with the competition director. Neither of them look too happy.”
Lillian’s shoulders deflated. “Okay, I’ll see you guys later.” She pulled Jack away from them. “Mom is probably watching the other competitors to see who I’m up against. Even if she didn’t want me to be here, she expects me to win.”
Sure enough, they found Mrs. Preston with another lady at the side of the stage. A girl performed a standard classical ballet routine as they watched.
It was like Mrs. Preston could sense Lillian’s presence. She turned. “Oh, darling.” She frowned, noticing Lillian’s hand in Jack’s. “You really shouldn’t have changed your dance.”
The other woman turned to them, a tight smile on her face. “Lillian, I am sorry, but I’m afraid we have to disqualify you.”
Lillian’s shoulders tensed.
“What?” Jack shook his head. “You can’t do that.”
The woman stepped toward them. “We have strict rules in this competition. Lillian registered to perform in the singles competition but she danced a duet. I’m afraid we can’t allow her routine to qualify for the competition.”
Mrs. Preston crossed her arms, her hard eyes focused on Jack.
“I am sorry, better luck next year.” The woman issued one more smile before walking away.
“Lillian Preston, not only did you insist on this silly competition, but you got yourself disqualified with that stunt.”
“Mom—”
“It’s finished, Lillian.” She straightened. “But you will have your auditions soon, so we do not need to worry about this odd little mishap.” She eyed Jack with a frown.
“No.” Lillian squeezed Jack’s hand tighter as if drawing strength. “Mom, I’m tired of you trying to decide my future. I love to dance, Iwantto dance, but it is not all I want.”
Her mom started to speak, but Lillian cut her off.
“I want a normal college experience. I want to hang out with friends and go to parties and eat things that have so many calories no one in their right mind should eat them. But I don’t want to be in my right mind all the time. I want the chance to act stupid and be young.” She sucked in a deep breath. “And I never want my boyfriend to question his place in my life.”
Jack smiled at the boyfriend title, but the nerves refused to cease as he waited for Mrs. Preston’s reaction.
