Page 28 of Love is a Dance Step
“We are officially full.” His dad dropped a hand on his shoulder.
“Really?” Gulf City wasn’t a tourism mecca, more of a snow bird paradise, but dancers had flown in from other states with only a day’s notice.
His dad laughed. “Kiddo, you may have just saved our slow season.”
Drew crossed his arms as he marveled at the staff Piper found last minute. They were so efficient, like her, handing out water and instructions. They’d been at this all morning, and Drew’s callback list was so short Piper nearly yelled at him when she saw it.
He tried to stay in the background, watching from a place where he wouldn’t be a distraction. But who was he kidding? Everything about this day was a distraction. Not only was Drew Stone there, but Ben, Noah, Jo, and Dax walked around signing autographs. Well, except Dax. His fans didn’t know what he looked like, so he was able to act like any of Drew’s employees, even going so far as to wear a fake name badge.
“Son, do you really think you’ll find a dancer this way?” His dad shot him a skeptical look.
“Piper says I should. There’s more than enough talent here, but Dad, I’m not only looking for talent.”
“You won’t find another Leah.”
He knew that. On some level, he knew he shouldn’t compare any of these dancers to Leah and the connection he had with her. But he wanted to feel that again, to feel like his leading lady was his partner up on stage and not just playing a part.
A group of dancers went through the steps Brooke had taught them. Drew had his dancers teaching large groups before they auditioned so he could see how quickly they learned.
Piper walked toward him, clipboard in hand as usual. “What about this group?”
Drew studied them closer. “You can add number thirteen to the callback list.”
“That’s it?” Her brow furrowed in disapproval.
He ignored the look and scanned the crowd again. “Any sign of her, Pipes?”
Piper gave him a sad smile. “I know you were hopeful this unknown girl would show up and blow us all away, but Drew, she said she wasn’t a dancer, didn’t she? Maybe what we saw at the studio was a fluke. Maybe it was a dance she’s been working on for years and that’s why it was so good. The truth is, we don’t know. Lauren wouldn’t tell me about her, and I think that says it all right there. The girl doesn’t want this. It’s time to look for someone else.”
On some level, he knew Piper was right. She always was. But the bigger part of him didn’t want to give up hope. He caught sight of Noah chasing Lizzy around, the latter squealing in delight. A group of women looked on with love in their eyes. Fans were strange. They could make themselves believe they loved someone they’d never met, that they and only they had a connection to that person.
He’d had his fair share of over the top fans, as had the rest of the guys. Jo had it worse though. She got a lot of hate from women and creepy stalkerish stuff from dudes.
“Are you even listening to me?” Piper asked, tapping her foot irritably.
Drew’s dad chuckled. “Drew does this, always has, even before he was a hot shot. He gets something on his mind and zones out with that stupid smile on his face.”
Piper poked Drew. “Snap out of it.”
A slow smile spread across Drew’s lips. “Would you hate me if I said I wasn’t listening?”
She sighed. “No, because I’m used to it by now. What I was saying is I think everyone needs a break, you included.”
He rubbed a hand over his jaw. “You’re right. Call it for lunch.”
Piper walked away, and Drew’s dad put a hand on his arm. “Come eat with me. The dining room has a nice patio overlooking the water.”
“I know, Dad. I’ve been coming here my entire life.” His dad had managed the Beach Club since Drew was a baby. He’d run the halls as a kid and spent countless hours at the beach. The place had been like a second home to him.
He followed his dad through the hotel to the balcony and took a seat. A waiter brought them menus and beers. Drew gave his dad a curious look.
His dad shrugged. “They might know my preferences.”
Drew took a sip and let the morning’s stress melt away as he looked out at the sparkling ocean. Sometimes, when he was away, he forgot how beautiful his hometown was. There was no better place.
For some people at least. His mind drifted back to the local studio that taught him to love dance, the one Piper learned was in financial trouble. Later today, they’d host kids from broken homes. It was easy to imagine Gulf City as a place without troubled youths or poverty. Heck, most of the residents did imagine it. They saw the pristine beaches and large houses and nothing else.
“Dad?” Drew kept his gaze out to sea.
