Page 35 of Becoming Cinderella

I close the bathroom door behind me and grip the sink, leaning towards the mirror as I take slow, deep breaths.

Don’t lose focus Carter.

Yes, it’s easy to mess off with Liam, but I can joke around with Jared just as easily. Well, actually, I can’t. Jared and I have fun, but I overthink everything with him. With Liam I don’t, I’m able to be my full self because there’s not the added pressure of trying to impress him to get him to like him.

I turn on the sink and run a paper towel under cold water before I dab it against the back of my neck and my cheeks. They feel and look flushed.

I take a couple more deep breaths before I exit the bathroom.

Penn and Liam are talking, turning to look at me when I come in the room.

“Are you ready?” Penn asks.

Liam comes over to me and slings his arm around my shoulders. “Penelope here,”

“Penn.” She corrects behind us.

Liam’s eyes flick to her before back to me. “Penn here, was telling me you won a dance competition last year.”

I look over my shoulder at Penn, shooting her what I hope is a murderous look. I love to dance, but don’t like to talk about the awards and competitions I’ve won. For whatever reason it makes me feel awkward, and Penn knows this. I have a strong feeling she was trying to wing woman me by trying to talk me up to Liam.

“Oh, she did, did she?”

“What I’m hearing is that I’m being taught by a world champion.”

“World? Is that what she told you?” It was more like region champion, which isn’t even a third as cool.

“Nah, but I’m sure you could win a world championship too.”

This makes me laugh as Liam opens the back door for Penn and I, waiting as I lock it behind us.

“Good practice today, Liam. I hope you feel like you’re getting a hang of the steps.”

“I’m getting there. I have a world champion as my coach after all.” Liam teases as he opens his car door.

“Region champion.” I fail at keeping back my smile as I walk past my car so Penn and I can walk to get food.

“Minor details.” He waves his hand like he’s brushing off the technicality.

Without looking I know he is smiling because I can hear it. I didn’t even know you can hear smiles, but now I know you can.

I extend another invitation for Liam to join us, which he declines, stating he has lines to go over. Life of a movie star, I guess.

“Oh, Carter?” Liam says from behind me.

I spin around to face him as Penn keeps walking out of the alley.

“Is there a closet at your work? Like a supply closet or a small office or something?”

“Yeah?” I’m not sure what I was expecting him to say, but it wasn’t this.

“When do you work with Jared again?”

“On Thursday, why?”

Liam smiles, tapping his knuckles on the roof of his car a few times. “Sounds perfect. I’ll see you Thursday.” He gives me a wave as he climbs into his car.

“Wait, Liam!” I try to stop him, waiting for his explanation but he just gives me another wave and closes his car door.

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