Page 108 of Love is a Dance Step
And love… it happened one day and then the next. Each day, he’d fallen more in love with Lola in a different way. Even before he realized what was happening. Each time he fell in love with her was like a step to the dance of a love that mattered, one that was real. He couldn’t only love one part of her, the dancing. Instead, he had to love each step, each day, each hour.
By the time he’d finished his third song, he realized he never wanted to stop falling in love with Lola. He never wanted their dance to end.
Their chests heaved as they stared at each other before Drew turned to the audience with a grin. “So, how about them Yankees?” He laughed when he heard both boos and cheers. “Okay, I’m kidding. I’m going to tell you a bit of truth right now. I’m a little nervous up here, and that’s a new sensation for me.” A collective ‘aww’ swept through the crowd.
“There’s been some rumors about me in the tabloids lately, and I’m sorry for that.”
“What are you doing?” Lola pulled on his arm.
But he couldn’t, wouldn’t stop. “When Leah Baker was injured, it almost broke me. I wasn’t sure I could keep dancing without her by my side. But she refused to let me give up. Now, I stand up here with a new woman by my side, and she’s been put through the wringer in the media. I just wanted to apologize to her.” He flashed her a nervous smile.Prove it to her.“Lola…” He couldn’t say it.
“What, Drew?” Her eyes searched his face.
He reached down and flipped the mic off for just a moment as he stared into her fathomless eyes. “I know you aren’t Asher’s.”
She looked out to the crowd. “This kind of isn’t the place.”
“I got angry last night because Nora told me you loved him.”
“Why would that make you angry?” She didn’t deny it.
“Because I’m in love with you.”
32
Lola
Because I’m in love with you.
No guy had ever said those words to Lola and meant it. She stumbled away from Drew. “I need a minute.” His face crumpled as she ran toward the side of the stage, needing to escape the spotlight.
“What are you doing?” Piper hissed from the side of the stage out of view of the audience.
“I can’t do it, Piper. I can’t be out there.”
She sighed, exasperation plain on her face. But Lola couldn’t worry about that.I’m in love with you.
How? How could he possibly be in love with her?
The music started up again, and Lola peered out at Brooke as she took up a spot next to Drew. They were a better dancing pair. Her blonde hair and lithe frame looked good with him.
Lola couldn’t breathe. She bent over, trying to catch her breath. A hand rubbed her back, and she assumed it was Piper.
Until a deep voice said her name. “Lola.”
“Ash?” She straightened to face him for the first time since his harsh drunken words.
Everything was so messed up. She’d lost Asher as her best friend. Drew wouldn’t forgive her for running off stage in response to his confession.
Her job on this tour was surely over after that.
And yet, her best friend was here. She hadn’t lost him after all. She spent so much of her life worrying about Asher leaving her that she’d convinced herself she loved him.
“Asher.” At her strangled word, he pulled her into a hug. Her tears soaked his shirt. “What are you doing back here?”
“Brooke. She gave me a pass this morning.”
She lifted her face. “You were with Brooke this morning?” The truth was written in his gaze, but the pain Lola expected didn’t come.
