Page 32 of The Virgin's Dance
“It’s perfect,” she said, and turned in his arms to kiss him. “It’s perfect, except … there’s no way I’ll even be able to half match you in price.”
Pilot looked surprised. “That’s not something you need to worry about.”
“But it is. For one thing, it’s not fair on you. For another, I do not want to be a kept woman.”
“A kept woman? Boh, all we’re talking about is buying a place for us to live. What’s mine is yours. Are you really going to put what other people might think above our happiness?”
Boh shook her head. “No. But I’m paying you rent.”
“Fine, if that’s what’ll do it.” Pilot looked around. “But I feel it. This is the place.”
Boh laughed softly. “We’re going a lot on gut instinct, aren’t we?”
“It’s a good thing.”
Pilot talked to the realtor. “We’ll take it, and if the buyer will settle by the end of the week, there’ll be a significant bonus.”
“I’m sure we can arrange something.”
Piot and Boh walked down to one of their favorite burger joints for lunch, hand in hand. As they tucked into their food, Pilot studied Boh. “You’re preoccupied.”
She smiled at him. “I am, but I’m not having second thoughts, I swear. Taking stock, everything seems to be happening at once. You and me, the showcase, the exhibition.”
“Just take one thing at a time. We’re good, you and me. The exhibition just needs one or two more shots, a few more candids, I think. Like that image of you right now with burger juice running down your chin.” He grinned as she hurriedly mopped her face with a napkin.
Boh chuckled. “The more I think about the exhibition, the more nervous I get. I mean, are they really going to be blown away just by my photos, however brilliantly they are taken?”
“You don’t get it, do you? The life, the beauty you bring to my work, it’s transcendent. Full disclosure: I fully intend to make you the focus of my work for the next few years.” He grinned wickedly and, flushing, she laughed.
“Machiavelli.”
“You know it. Speaking of Machiavelli … how’s it going with Mendelev?”
It had been two weeks since she’d collapsed in Kristof’s class, and since then he had been—not kind, exactly—but he hadn’t pushed her too hard. Boh knew the steps automatically now, and so Kristof had focused on her and Elliott’s chemistry and fluidity. He’d even told them he was happy withThe Lessonsegment, and moved on toLa Sylphide, as well as prepping Serena and Jeremy forRomeo and Juliet.
Boh had been getting home at a decent hour now, but she told Pilot now, she didn’t trust this calmer Kristof. “It’s just not him. Even when we have no showcase coming up, he’s a monster, driving us until we’re exhausted. He’s up to something.”
Plot nodded, knowing the feeling well. Eugenie hadn’t called him for a couple of weeks now, and he couldn’t help but feel paranoid about it. He told himself that maybe she’d finally got the message that he wasn’t coming back to her—but he knew Genie too well.
He sighed, rubbing his head, wishing life was easier, that they could be left alone to enjoy their new love. Boh asked him what he was thinking about and he told her.
She nodded. “I know, baby, but that’s not the way the world works.”
He smiled at her. “As long as I have you, I’m good.”
“Always.” Boh cupped his cheek in her hand. “But I hate what she’s done to you, Pilot. I can see the damage. A man like you, a strong, courageous, wonderful man like you—it’s not fair. I wish I could wave a magic wand and make her leave you alone for good.”
Pilot turned his head and kissed her palm. “Don’t worry about it. One day, it’ll come to me, the way to make her finally get the message that it’s over.”
“I love you,” Boh said, “and it makes me want to protect you.”
“I feel the same way, darling, I do. It gives me strength to know you’re on my side.”
They kissed, not caring what the other patrons of the restaurant thought of their PDA. Afterwards, Pilot walked Boh back to the studio. “Enjoy your class, baby. Shall I come pick you up?”
“Where will you be this afternoon? The Studio?”
“Yep.”
