Page 29 of Love is a Dance Step
“Yeah, son?” His dad looked up from the menu.
“The dance studio… what can you tell me about it?”
He smiled. “Penny loves it, and she’s about to be a teenager, so it’s hard to get her to admit she loves anything. We’ve been having trouble motivating her to work, whether it’s chores or homework. But when she’s dancing, she’s willing to put all of her effort into it. I’ve been so proud of her.”
Drew searched the restaurant for any sign of his mom and Lizzy. Penny and Nora had school, but Lizzy had begged to come.
His dad laughed. “Lizzy won’t want to eat here. Your mom promised her chicken nuggets today.”
“What can you tell me about Penny’s teacher?”
His smile widened. “She’s young, nineteen, and a friend of Asher’s. But even with her youth, she squeezes every bit of talent and effort out of her students. She’s quite talented herself.”
“Did she ever try to become a professional dancer?”
He chuckled. “No. Our girl didn’t want that life. She’s taking business classes at USF.”
“Business classes?” Why did that feel so wrong? Piper was wrong, what he’d seen wasn’t a fluke. He knew it. She was meant to dance.
“Not everyone can become a superstar, Drew.”
But she was meant to be seen. He knew then he had to find her.
* * *
Drew shouldn’t have left the auditions, but he trusted Piper and the Rockstars Anonymous crew to keep going. He pulled up in front of the dance studio and cut the engine before jumping out.
Inside, the studio was empty except for one room he could hear music coming from. It wasn’t one of Noah’s songs like the day before. This was more of a classical ballet tune. It brought back memories of the first ballet class he’d ever taken because he was told it would help with flexibility and strength for hockey.
Was his mystery dancer in that room? He had to know. Opening the door, his heart sank when he found Lauren and a single student. Her eyes found him, and she turned off the music.
“We’re done for today, Tory. Your mom is probably waiting in the parking lot.”
Tory froze when she caught Drew watching them, her mouth falling open. “You’re Drew Stone. Oh my gosh, my friends are going to die. Can I get a picture?” He wasn’t in the mood for a teenage fangirl, but he never said no to the fans. Ever.
So, he forced a smile and posed. She snapped a picture with her phone and squealed.
“Tory.” Lauren put a hand on her back. “Your mother.”
Tory’s smile fell. “Yeah, she’ll get mad if I’m late. I cannot wait to share this all over social.” She practically bounced from the room.
Lauren stopped in front of Drew, her arms crossed. “Aren’t there auditions going on right now?” She’d been a huge help getting the word out by spreading the details on social media through dance circles. He owed her for that.
“I wanted to thank you for your help.”
She shrugged. “I didn’t do it for you. It’s a great opportunity for local dancers.”
“What about your dancers?”
Lauren walked past him, stopping at the front desk. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Your instructor. You wouldn’t tell me her name before, but I need to find her.”
“Why?” Distrust shone in her eyes.
“You’re protecting her, I get it. She says she isn’t a dancer, but I didn’t only see what she could do, I felt it. It was only one dance, but I can’t get her out of my head. My lead dancer doesn’t need to be technically perfect. That’s not what makes people watch. She needs to love it, and you can’t tell me that woman isn’t in love with dance.”
Lauren tapped her chin but didn’t respond as she studied him. “My parents claim you’re one of the best students they’ve ever taught.”
