Page 47 of Love is a Dance Step
When she arrived at the studio, classes were taking place in three of the four studio rooms. Saturdays were a busy day. Lola peeked into Lauren’s class for ages four to six and smiled at the kids trying their hardest to mimic her basic steps.
They were only at the beginning of their love for dance.
Was Lola at the end?
She slipped into the empty studio and dropped her keys in the corner before setting music to play from her phone. Toeing off her shoes, she stood in front of the mirror as the slow song began.
Her foot tapped out the beat as she closed her eyes, letting all her worries, all her regrets fade from her mind. Only here could she think clearly.
And all that mattered was the next step.
She bent one leg, lifting the other behind her before turning on her foot. The ballet moves gave her structure, purpose, but the modern steps gave her freedom.
For the duration of the song, she was in control, in charge of what happened next. There were no professors questioning her place in their programs, no rock stars trying to convince her to leave everything else behind.
And there certainly wasn’t a best friend she wasn’t even sure was a friend anymore.
Until there was. She’d danced through three songs, ignoring the burning of her muscles, the straining of her lungs. She turned on her heel one final time to find someone standing in the doorway.
Asher.
His eyes held hers with an intensity she hadn’t seen from him before. Ignoring the burning sensation his gaze created along her skin, she walked to her phone and shut the music off. When she straightened, she turned to find him in the same place.
“What is it with you Stone boys watching me dance when I don’t know you’re there?” Her joke failed as his lips flatlined.
“I didn’t know you could dance like that.”
For all his talk of “you’re not a dancer,” he’d only just assumed she wasn’t good enough.
“Ah.” She crossed her arms. “So, you just figured Lola Ramirez couldn’t possibly be good at anything?” She was tired of him demeaning her, tired of letting him affect how she felt about herself.
He ran a hand through his blond hair, the same tic his brother had. “Lo…”
“Whatever, it doesn’t matter.” Except it did. It mattered a lot.
“I went to your house. When you weren’t there, I figured you’d be here.”
“And…” She wiped her sweaty face on her arm. “Was there a purpose to finding me?”
He blew out a breath, his jaw clenching. Lola once thought she could read whatever was in Asher’s mind, but right then, she couldn’t decipher the expression on his face. “I heard Drew on the phone.”
“Good for you?” She tried to walk past him into the hall.
He grabbed her arm. “Would you just talk to me for a second?” He was so close, too close. Weeks ago, Lola would have soaked in his nearness, letting herself wish for more.
This time, she stepped back. “Speak.”
“He was talking about you.” He walked farther into the room and stared at her in the mirror. “I never knew, Lo. I don’t really get along with my brother, but even I know he’s talented. And he wants you to dance on his tour.”
“I know. I turned him down.”
He turned to face her. “Why didn’t you tell me about any of it?”
“You’re the one who always told me I wasn’t good enough. I’m tired of this dance, Asher. I think I’m tired of us. Aren’t you exhausted? All this anger and jealousy… it’s not fun.”
“I’m sorry.” His voice dropped. “Lo… I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you wanted this.”
“You’ve said that already.” She crossed her arms and put all her effort into keeping the tears at bay. “Here’s the thing, Asher, even if I was awful, you’re my best friend. You’re supposed to make me feel like I can do anything, not like I can do nothing.”
