Page 27 of I Shouldn't Love This Way

“I’m familiar with it.”

“Oh, that’s great. Then I don’t need to explain.”

Evan smiled and waited for her to continue. His mother had forced him to take ballroom dancing when he was younger, which explained his dance experience. Out of all the different artistic styles, contemporary was his favorite.

“Anyway,” she continued. “My dance teacher had got us all prepared to do a big show at the end of the year, and there was this solo performance she had choreographed for me—it was to this song. For weeks I tried to learn the choreography. Ms. Geneva’s vision was for me to narrate a story through the movement of my body and facial expressions.”

“What story was that?”

“A young woman abandoned by her lover, praying he’d return and set her free from endless sorrows.”

“That’s deep,” he remarked.

“Yeah, I remember that part well.” Aria chuckled. “You know what the sad part is?”

Evan shook his head.

“I had difficulty connecting with this song at first. My instructor said I wasn’t feeling the music. According to her, my movement was too rehearsed and mechanical. There was no fluidity when I danced—and that was because I couldn’t connect with the song and the theme of the story. She wanted more emotion from me. I didn’t want to be reminded of my breakup with my ex, so I had to dig up painful memories and use that as inspiration to execute my performance.” Aria paused, blinking back tears. “I had to narrate a different story in my head… My father abandoning me.”

“Just like he did when you were a baby.” Evan’s voice was gentle and comforting.

“Ms. Geneva was so impressed and blown away when I finally performed in front of an audience. She told me it was as if I had transformed from an ugly duckling to a beautiful swan overnight.”

“You could never be ugly.” Evan scoffed. “What an envious hag. How dare she. Give me her full name.”

“Quit joking around.” She giggled.

“I’m serious.”

“Get off it.”

She laughed when he gave her a stony expression.

“She meant my dancing. I poured my heart out on that stage, and my family never showed up. I was bummed about that. Mom had tried to make it to my performance but had to work late.” She sighed heavily. “Anyway, it feels like ages ago, to be honest.”

“Dance for me.”

“What? No way!”

“You said no one had showed up at your recital. Well, I’m technically your family, and I’m here right now.” He stood up and dragged the large coffee table to the other end of the room.

“What are you doing?” Aria followed his movement with her gaze as he walked over to the light switch in the corner.

“Creating a stage for you,” Evan replied.

“Are you serious? I can hardly remember the routine!”

He dimmed the lights, creating a more ambient atmosphere. “Contemporary dance is all about freestyle,” he said. “Let your emotions lead your movement.”

Aria smiled and stood up. “And how would you know that?”

He ignored her question and walked over to his theater system to replay the song from the beginning. “Take center stage, Miss Hunter. Your audience awaits.”

“Yeah, my audience ofone.” She giggled.

Evan turned up the volume as the soothing melody flowed from the speakers in surround sound.

“I don’t know why I’m nervous.”

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