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What am I doing, thinking I could give this up? Thinking I could walk away from the community, from the craft, from this one thing that has been part of my life for so many years? And I can’t do this without her either.
“I love this dance,” I whisper, opening my eyes to look at her. She looks at me, too. Suddenly, the feeling is a bright burst of light, something so clear it's inescapable. “And I love you.”
She gasps, a soft intake of breath, before she smiles through her tears and whispers, “I love you, too.”
That does me in. My hand cradles her jaw, holding her like she’s the most special thing, and I kiss her.
“I think I fell in love with you when you ran into me,” I tell her. “You were looking for a way out, and you ran right into my chest, like you kick-started my heart.”
I don’t let her say anything else, I just kiss her and kiss her until I can’t breathe. Long, lingering, passionate kisses at my door. I hold her, and I touch her, and I smile. I missed her soft skin, her smile, the way my hand molds to hers perfectly. Her perfume, and her voice, and the way she makes me feel.
“Whatever happens after this, I still have you?” My heart is in my throat, my hope is hanging on for life.
“Yes, a million times yes.”
I lean my forehead against hers. “Whatever happens, we’re a team.”
“I know,” she nods.
“You came back,” I say as I hold her close, feeling her heartbeat against me.
Her eyes soften at that, maybe a touch of sadness lingering, as she whispers, “I never left. I promise you I never left.” I know what she means by it, what everybody else clearly saw. She just needed a minute to come back.
“I love you,” I say with a smile, with all the newfound joy radiating from me. “Let’s go win you a competition.”
Chapter thirty-six
Julieta
“Nervous?”
“Oh, I’m a mess.” I chuckle. “Are you?”
“Nah.” He shakes his head. “You’re going to do great.”
We’re in the hotel room, warming up and getting ready. The doors open at six thirty, and the ProAm portion starts a little after seven. There’s a soft knock on the door and when we open it, Tara walks in.
“Tara?” I ask, shocked.
“Hi!”
“What are you doing here?”
“I wouldn’t miss this. Are you kidding? Besides, I’m here to help.” She sits down next to me, throwing her carry-on on the bed.
“How was your flight?” Logan asks.
“Not bad! Arizona isn’t too far.” She smiles.
“Tara,” I repeat, elated. “This is such a nice surprise.”
She reaches over to hug me. “I’m going to do your hair and makeup, okay?”
I look to Logan then back to her. “Are you sure?”
“Julie. I got on a plane to come here.” She laughs. “Yes, I promise I’m sure. This is what I’m here for. I'm going to make you look amazing.” She smiles like she thrives in this environment. She's used to it, of course, but maybe she's living through us this time around.
“I’m going to go walk around downstairs for a bit,” Logan says, then gives me a kiss on the forehead.
