Page 120 of Take the Lead
“You’ll recover. Men always do.”
She was talking about them, and the impact their relationship might have on her career. Regret weighed heavy on his soul.
The music lowered once again. Juan Carlos called out, “And the first-place winners and season fourteen champions ofThe Dance Offare…”
The cameras were right on them. Stone closed his eyes and gripped Gina’s shoulders tight.
“… Stone and Gina!”
Stone’s eyes flew open.
Under his hands, Gina jerked. “What?”
The word was echoed from their left, where Lauren stared at them with wide, disbelieving eyes.
“You won!” Kevin yelled.
Gina appeared to be in shock. Everyone rushed them while Juan Carlos shouted for Lauren and Kevin to join him for an interview. Stone lifted Gina in his arms. She clung to him, gasping for air.
Her voice shook. “Did I hear that right? Did we win?”
“We won.” He kissed her temple.
When she pulled back, her smile was sad. “You were right. Congratulations.”
Shit. Stone didn’t want to be right. He wantedher.
The others reached them, showering them in hugs, kisses, and congratulations. It was overwhelming. Everywhere he looked, another smiling face. He lost Gina in the crowd. After a minute, he heard Juan Carlos yelling for him.
“Gina?” Stone searched for her amid the sparkling, glittering mob. Wading in, he grabbed her hand and tugged her off the stage. As they passed Kevin and Lauren, they paused to wish them well. Lauren grabbed Stone’s ass and he reared back, startled.
“Cut it out, Lauren,” he growled, but the figure skater just gave him a saucy wink.
“Congrats,” she said, pouting her painted lips. “Enjoy the spotlight while it lasts.” Then she was swept off in the crowd and Stone and Gina were at Juan Carlos’s side. In the host’s hands wasThe Dance Off’s trophy.
“You two have earned this,” Juan Carlos said. “Congratulations!”
Stone took the gold trophy, which was encrusted with mirrored rhinestones forming the silhouette of a dancing couple. It was disgusting. He’d treasure it forever.
“Here,” he said, turning to Gina. “Hold this.”
Her face lit up when she took it, but the light was still tempered by sadness. Once she had the trophy, Stone gripped her by thewaist and lifted her up to sit on one of his shoulders. She let out a startled giggle, then, smiling wide, she raised the trophy over her head and gave a loud cheer.
It should have been beautiful. It should have been the most wonderful moment in his life, to have delivered this win to the woman he loved, and to have helped her achieve her dream.
Instead, this was the end.
Thirty-Three
The next twelve hours were a whirlwind. From greeting fans, posing for photos, and rushing through interviews, to boardingThe Dance Off’s private jet for an overnight flight to New York City, Gina didn’t have a second to breathe. Being packed into the little plane with the other finalists and four of the other pro dancers—including Natasha, thank goodness—didn’t leave a lot of room for self-reflection or dwelling on her problems.
Delirium set in halfway through the flight. Gina didn’t remember landing or the party bus ride from the airport to theMorning Mixstudio—but there were lots of selfies and videos posted on social media, so she’d piece it together later.
After arriving in the jeans she’d worn on the plane, she signed autographs for the fans gathered outside the studio building, then hurried inside to change into a dance costume. After a quick group routine, she was dressed in her TV outfit—tight black pants, a sequined silver tank, and heels.
Exhaustion tugged at her limbs, but euphoria and adrenaline kept her focused. She laughed when she was supposed to laugh, answered questions with charm and humor, and showed off the trophy.
The last time she’d been here, she’d been so excited. Now, she couldn’t wait for it to be over.
