Page 65 of The Persistence of Thornes
Iwantto put myself out there, do things that I normally wouldn’t, and this is perfect. Though there are people here who may witness my embarrassment, I never have to see them again. And Caleb has shown me time and again that I’m safe to take risks when I’m with him.
“Good,” he replies.
There are nine couples total waiting for class to begin when a beautiful woman in a cobalt blue dress in a similar design to mine breezes in. She looks like she’s well into her fifties, and she carries herself with a confidence I can only hope to one day possess.
“Hello, hello my beauties,” she greets, the bracelets on her wrists tinkling like chimes. “I’m so happy you’re here. I’m eager to introduce you to the wonder that is ballroom dancing. My husband Matteo and I will be your instructors tonight. He’s running a little behind, so we’ll get introductions out of the way while we wait. I’m Frederica.”
She points to a couple on her left and asks them to share their names. Slowly, she works her way around the group, and when it’s our turn, my voice comes out annoyingly high-pitched.
“Halle?” she repeats. “Not Hailey?”
“Nope, it’s Halle.”
I can’t count the number of times I’ve been called Hailey, so I’m used to having to make the distinction.
“Beautiful name,” she says, clapping once. “Ah, here comes my husband.”
A middle-aged man with dark hair and toned muscles strides straight over to Frederica and tugs her against him, greeting her with a kiss to her cheek. “Sorry I’m late, my love.”
Their eyes shine with pure love and adoration for each other. It’s almost jarring to see a couple their age so clearly enraptured with the other.
He releases her, then surveys the rest of us. “I’m Matteo, and I’ve been dancing with my lovely wife here for thirty years. Would’ve been longer, but this one”—he wags his finger at her, chuckling—“is very stubborn. It took quite a bit of time to convince her to give me a chance.”
Frederica rolls her eyes. “Only because I’d always heard you were a charmer.”
“And were the rumors true, darling?” He smiles at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
“Yes.” With a huff that’s half annoyance, half affection, she brushes her fingers through his mustache to flatten the stray hairs.
Matteo turns to the group. “The key to a happy relationship is to show your woman she’s loved. Every day. It’s more than gifts or flowers. It’s showing her she’s taken care of. When she’s tired, make dinner without being asked. Put the kids to bed. Those kinds of things make all the difference in a happy marriage.”
Around the room, most of the women look at their partners in asee? I told youkind of way.
“If you come back, there’ll be more lessons where that came from.” He wags his finger, then holds a hand out to his wife. “Today, though… we dance.”
As if it’s been cued up to start at the exact moment in their little display, music plays, and Frederica and Matteo begin dancing to the quick tempo. After about a minute, it cuts out, and they turn to us.
“That is called the foxtrot. It’s a bit more advanced than what you’ll be learning today,” Frederica says, smoothing down her skirt. “But if you stick with dance, you absolutely could learn it. Today, though, we’ll start with the basics of a slow waltz. Turn to your partners, please.”
I face Caleb, rubbing my lips together like the motion alone will get rid of my nerves.
“The two of you should decide who leads. When you have, that person should extend their left arm like this.” Matteo holds his arm out to one side. “Partners, you’re going to take their hand in your right, then gently place your left hand on their shoulder.”
I do as instructed, and as I’m getting settled, I catch the flicker of nerves in Caleb’s gaze. That alone is enough to take away some of my anxiety.
“Light fingers,” Frederica scolds. “No need to hold on for dear life.”
I give Caleb a sheepish smile and relax my grip. “Sorry.”
His answering smile urges the sticky fingers wrapped around my chest, squeezing, to loosen a smidge more.
“It’s okay.” He brushes his nose lightly against mine, sending a thrill through me.
“Hold this pose,” Matteo calls out. “We’re going to come around and make corrections to your posture.”
I don’t dare move, soaking in Caleb’s proximity. “I’m not hunched over, am I?”
He chuckles. “No.”
