Page 38 of Love is a Dance Step
If she’d talk to him.
As he walked inside, two kids almost knocked into him, veering away at the last minute. Chaos reigned in the studio that had been so quiet the day before. Kids of all ages ran around playing games while Lauren and a few other adults called after them and passed out juice boxes.
This was the program Lola fought for him not to cancel, the kind of program that wouldn’t exist if this studio closed.
He searched the reception area, but Lola wasn’t there.
Wading through the mass of kids who gaped at him, he peered into the first studio and stopped. Lola still had her purse on her shoulder—she’d arrived only moments before him—as she bent down to look a young girl in the eyes and smiled. Drew stepped in, noticing a few teenagers on the other side of the room who were staring at him.
“Miss Lola,” one of them called. “Why is Drew Stone here?”
Recognition clicked in the gazes of the other teens, and Drew prepared himself for a bombardment of fans that never came. Instead, they only gawked.
Lola’s entire body stiffened as she rose, her eyes meeting his. “That’s a good question.”
“What, no Spanish this time?” Hearing her even yell that one word at him before did something to him. He wanted to hear it again.
She crossed her arms. “Only if you make me mad. Have you come to make me mad?”
“No.” He stepped toward her, very aware of their audience. “I want you to dance with me.”
“What?” She laughed and stepped by him. “Not a chance. I shouldn’t have even come today.”
He followed her out into the hall where she helped a young boy open his cheese crackers before turning her attention back to Drew.
“Look, I’m sorry I wasted your time. I’m not the girl you’re looking for.” She shrugged. “But I wish you luck. I really do.”
“One dance. Please?”
She shook her head. “Your assistant was right. I don’t have what it takes. It’s better you know that now. I am a dance instructor, not a dancer.”
“Cop out.”
“What?” She stopped moving.
“All I hear are excuses. Why are you so afraid to try?”
“I’m not afraid.” She crossed her arms, lifting her chin.
“Really? Then, why won’t you dance with me?”
Her lips pursed as she studied him.
Drew’s heart hammered against his ribs. He needed her to say yes. She might not be able to dance with him any better than she had with Nolan, but he had to know. “One dance.” He stepped closer. “One dance, and then, I’ll leave you alone. If you decide not to join the tour, I’ll walk away and never look back.”
“Do you promise?” she breathed.
A smile slid across his face because he knew, in that moment, he’d won.
12
Lola
Why did she agree to this?
Lola repeated everything Drew’s assistant said about her in her head.
Lola Ramirez is not the dancer for you.
