Page 34 of Becoming Cinderella

I try to focus on an escape and not the way he just sent a shiver straight through me or the fact that our bodies are pressed together. It’s hard to focus when all my thoughts are fuzzy. I giggle like a toddler while I squirm under him as he tries to tickle me.

We don’t hear the back door open, so when it closes with a loud clang, Liam and I quickly jump apart. I’m expecting to see my mom standing there with a death glare, since this is her studio.

“Penn, hi.” I let out a loud sigh of relief. Or maybe I’m trying to catch my breath after what just happened with Liam? Either way, Penn is the distraction I need.

“Hi, sorry,” she takes a couple steps towards us. “I saw your car and was seeing if you wanted to come with me to grab some food but you look…busy.” She presses her mouth together as she tries not to grin.

“Oh um,” I run my fingers through my hair in an attempt to smooth it as I hurry towards her.

“This isn’t what it looks like,” I whisper while Liam pretends to study his phone.

“Right, because ballroom dance rehearsals always involve rolling around on the floor together.” She cranes her neck to try and look at Liam but I shift to block her.

“We were only taking a break and, um, tripped.” My cheeks flame as the words leave my mouth.

Penn chokes on her laughter. “So that’s what the kids are calling it these days?”

“Penn,” I’m pleading with her and she knows it.

“Fine. I’ll be good, but we’re definitely talking about this later.”

“Fine.” I turn from Penn to Liam. “Do you want to run through the dance one more time then call it a night?”

Liam glances at Penn nervously. “I guess it will be nice to practice in front of someone before I have to dance in front of a crew and a camera.”

“Yes! I can pretend I’m a judge on Dancing with the Stars.” Penn says behind us.

Liam pulls a face. “Please don’t. That sounds like added pressure.”

“Oh right,” Penn pulls an “oops” face. “I forget we’re actually in the presence of a star.” Then in a barely audible voice adds to me, “a super-hot star.”

I shoot her a look and she smiles innocently before plopping down on the floor, crossing one leg over the other as she looks up at us expectantly.

Liam takes a deep breath as he holds out his hand for me.

I glance at Penn as I take it, too focused on her than Liam to feel the small electric shock I typically feel when I place my hand in his.

“Penn, can you reach around and plug my phone in the speaker and then push play?” I say before standing in position with Liam. “Just focus on me and not your audience, okay?” I’m hoping to offer some words of comfort for him. Even with just one audience member I can tell he’s nervous. Knowing that Penn is analyzing our every move and touch has me nervous too.

“Easy enough,” he winks, putting on his mask of calm and collected before he steps forward, guiding me into the start of the dance.

Penn fades into the background almost as soon as we begin. Liam’s gaze holds mine as we move through the steps and I find myself in a trance until Penn’s claps from the sideline act as an alarm waking me up from a Liam enhanced dream.

I blink a couple of times at Liam, and I’d swear he’s feeling what I’m feeling, before we both turn our attention to Penn as she pushes herself to her feet.

“Wow, I don’t know what you looked like before, but that wasn’t bad.”

“Not bad?” Liam repeats before glancing at me, “Is that high praise coming from her?”

“Not really, Penn’s only dance experience comes from playing the video game Just Dance.”

“Does that mean I’m still awful? Surely I’ve gotten somewhat better.”

“It just means Penn doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Besides, you have gotten better. You can do a box square now.” I playfully elbow his side.

“If you two want to stay and keep practicing I’m okay with that.” Penn cuts into our banter and I almost forget she’s standing there. I really hope Liam doesn’t pick up on the innuendo-laced tone in her voice, because I certainly do.

“No, that’s okay. We’ve been practicing long enough. Hold on just a minute though, I’m going to run to the restroom.” I excuse myself, needing a brief moment alone. I’m not sure why I let myself get so lost in Liam as we danced. Liam isn’t Jared.

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