Page 50 of On Dancer
“Always.” I kept my tone a light tease with a little chuckle at the end to disguise how much truth was hidden in that one word. Further, if we were going to have to wait longer for alone time, at least we could be together in the same room. “We’re about to teach the kids a new game. You can partner with Jack.”
“I suppose.” Alexander eyed Waylon’s youngest, who had spiky dark hair, a mischievous grin, and a need to be the center of attention. I also knew from prior experience that Jack loved to win. He’d pair well with Alexander.
“I get to roll the dice,” Jack demanded as we took turns rolling a pair of regular dice to see which team would go first.
“Go ahead.” Alexander squinted as he studied the rule book, looking up as Jack rolled two sixes. He gave an approving nod. “Good work. That sets us up nicely.”
My heart twisted because in that instant, I could see who Alexander might be as a parent, serious but supportive. A mirage of family game nights shimmered off in the distance, never to be. I swallowed hard. The game continued amid much glee from the kids as the brightly colored camels galloped around the board. We were partway through the round when Alexander’s mother and my mother came striding into the kitchen area with stacks of empty dessert plates.
“Oh my goodness!” My mother set the plates near the sink before digging in her sweater pocket for her phone. “This is the cutest thing. Let me get a picture of you all.”
“What’s this?” Elaine joined her in peering at us like we were a new zoo exhibit. “Alexander willingly hanging out at the kids’ table? And laughing? It’s a Christmas miracle.”
“He did great with the school visits.” I was maybe a bit quick to defend him, but Alexander had a genuine rapport with kids. Others simply didn’t give him enough credit. He didn’t need to be silly for kids to like and respect him. His more extroverted mother and sister also often seemed to forget that not everyonehad a super-sized social battery. I pointed at the pad of paper he’d grabbed a few turns back. “And he’s got Jack doing math to calculate how many points they need to win.”
“I see.” Elaine’s eyes went wide. It was possible she saw entirely too much. “I think your friendship has been good for him too.”
“Perhaps.” I did a fair imitation of Alexander’s indifferent delivery. Elaine’s tendency to enthusiastically run around with new ideas like one of the camels in our game had to be part of why Alexander was always so guarded. I wasn’t nearly so good at schooling my expression, but under our mothers’ scrutiny, I tried my best. “He’s been fun to have around.”
“Maybe Alexander’s newfound love of gaming will induce him to visit more often.” My mother shared Elaine’s ability to leap ahead, and I frowned at both of them.
“I wouldn’t count on that,” I said quickly. The denial hurt less coming from me than it would from Alexander.
“And I wouldn’t count it out,” Elaine countered. Next to me, Kitty shook her head. Our gazes met sympathetically. Some things simply weren’t meant to be, no matter how magical.
Twenty-Seven
Dégagé:to disengage.
Alexander
New Year’s Eve was crisp, cold, and clear. Clumps of last week’s snow lingered, little piles of slush, but otherwise, the weather had cooperated for all the holiday parties and festivities tonight. Accordingly, the train into downtown Philadelphia was packed, as were the roads and highways we sped by.
“I’m glad we decided to take the train.” Rudy had removed his gloves and kept fiddling with them in his lap. He and I had managed to snag a pair of seats together. He’d offered to drive, but I’d suggested the train for less hassle. “Traffic looks terrible, and I’m sure Center City parking would be even worse.”
“Yep.” I took his hand in mine before he could do real damage to his gloves. “Plus, this way I can ogle you without worrying I’m distracting the driver.”
“True.” Rudy glanced downward, turning a critical eye on his gray dress pants. Under his coat, he wore a blue dress shirt. Both items had been Christmas presents from his mother, and he looked smartly professional, no mistaking him for the catering crew tonight. He, however, seemed unconvinced. “But you’re the one who looks model-worthy tonight, not me.”
I snorted. Isabella had given me a new champagne-colored cashmere sweater that made my hair seem golder and paired nicely with a pair of slim black pants with a subtle sheen. We made a nicely matched pair, no matter what Rudy thought. “You’re always selling yourself short.”
“I am short.” He chuckled.
“You know what I mean.” I made a frustrated noise before joining the laughter. “You’re cute, hot, and sweet. There’s no one else I’d rather take to this party.”
“Thanks.” He offered me a soft smile, and only the packed train car deterred me from kissing him on the spot.
“I would renew my offer that we skip again, but we’re almost there.” I gave an exaggerated sigh. All week, I’d suggested several times that we stay in tonight, celebrate alone, but Rudy had insisted I accept the invite. “Guess we might as well make an appearance.”
“My poor long-suffering ballet icon, forced to make the rounds.” Rudy extracted his hand from mine as we prepared for our arrival in Philadelphia.
“Exactly. Save me, Rudy.” I put my hand on my heart and let my head drop onto his shoulder. “At least promise me a kiss at midnight.”
“Deal.” His smile was warm enough to raise the temperature in the train car a good ten degrees.
Once in Center City, we made our way to a high-end building with a door attendant and an art deco lobby with polished parquet floors. The vibe was most decidedly that of an artspatron and not a struggling ballet dancer. I made enough to cover my modest Seattle studio, but nothing like this.
Tavio and Irina were already in attendance. He introduced me to the hostesses, a lovely older pair of women. They had that been-together-decades look with similar sweater sets and pearls.
