Page 34 of Grunt: A Marine Romance

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XAVIER BOUNCED ACROSS the floor, hitting every beat. He seemed to dance so much better when he danced to his own music. “Work it, Xavi!” Selena yelled.

Xavier finished his routine and collapsed on the sofa. He was such a wonderful man—sexy, creative, great husband and father. Just like she knew Bret would be. Selena glanced across the ballroom and watched as Bret and Robyn practiced their samba.

Back in Marin, Bret and Selena had settled into a nice daily routine. She moved into the houseboat, but kept her room at the Tiburon Lodge so no one would be tipped off about her and Bret’s new relationship. Over the past two weeks, they’d hiked Mt. Tamalpais, camped at Angel Island, and spent the weekend at Xavier and Robyn’s beach cottage in Bolinas. Life was idyllic.

But that was all about to change: in one week, they were headed down to Los Angeles to start filming the show. Selena shuddered at the thought of the paparazzi trailing her and Bret and having to interact again with Dima on a daily basis.

Today was the final rehearsal before they headed to Los Angeles. Xavier and Robyn had invited their three children to watch them practice.

Robyn collapsed on the couch. “That’s enough. I need some inspiration. Bret, could you and Selena demonstrate how it’s done?”

“Of course.” Selena shimmied over to Bret. They hadn’t danced together since his audition. Electricity pulsed through her body. Touching Bret on the floor, connecting through dance without the awkwardness they shared during his audition, excited her.

She laughed as she approached Bret. By looking at him today, no one would ever suspect he could dance at all. His muscular, broad frame hid the smoothness and flexibility of his body. It was like watching an action star do the ballet.

He whispered into her ear, “Why are you laughing?”

“Cuz you are just so sexy. You don’t look like a dancer. At all.”

“That’s a good thing. No matter what, I’m not waxing my chest. I should’ve put that in my contract.”

Selena laughed. “I won’t let them.” The makeup artists most certainly would try to convince Bret to wax his chest. Sure, all the male dancers’ pecs were shiny and bare. What was so wrong about chest hair? Was Selena the only woman that was turned on by Bret’s manly chest? She highly doubted it.

Robyn turned on one of Xavier’s hits, a samba. Selena gyrated her hips and Bret grabbed her from behind. Gripping her wrist, he spun her into rolls and their bodies rotated around the floor.

After all these years, Bret was sharp as ever. For a second, Selena allowed herself to indulge in the fantasy of them competing together again. Would he ever consider it? Just to make her happy? They could stage a huge comeback. They wouldn’t win Blackpool, that’s for sure, but they could probably win nationals in a few years. Well if Dima didn’t get a new partner and compete against them.

The music cut off. “You two are brilliant! You should compete,” Robyn said.

Selena was glad that she wasn’t the only one thinking that they looked great together.

“No way, Robyn. I’m just doing one season and when it’s over, I’m not going to set foot on a dance floor. Except maybe at my wedding.” He winked at Selena.

Robyn’s lips curled. “Wedding? Am I missing something? Are you two a hot item?”

Selena gave Bret a nervous glance. “Oh no. We’re just old friends. But I do think Bret should consider competing again. I’m on the market for a new partner.”

Bret’s relaxed face tensed up. “No thanks, Sel. Would be kind of hard, after training my men twelve hours a day. And after this leave, I’m sure we will deploy again soon. No time for dancing.”

Selena’s shoulders dropped. She wouldn’t push the matter but maybe she could get him to consider it. For now, they just had to get through the season and pray the tabloids didn’t ruin their relationship.

“Well, you both look ready for the first show. Selena and I are driving down tomorrow. We’ll see you in Los Angeles in two days.”

Xavier and Robyn hugged Selena and Bret.

“Wait, this calls for a celebration.” Robyn ran to the bar and poured champagne in four flutes. She brought them over and handed everyone a glass.

A breathtaking view of the Golden Gate, Bay and Richmond bridges wowed Selena. She took the glass and braced herself. This was it—they were leaving cozy Marin for crazy Hollywood. If their new relationship could survive fifteen weeks on a reality show, it could survive anything.

“Okay, here we go,” Robyn said. “To our success and journey into the world of reality television. May we be guided by our ancestors. As one of my spiritual teachers once told me, ‘When you do what you fear most, then you can do anything.’”

Selena raised her glass higher. “I’ll drink to that.” She glanced at Bret and was thrilled that he wasn’t even making a face to Robyn’s new age toast.

“Cheers,” said Bret.

They clinked their glasses together and drank the night away as the fog crept higher on the world’s most beautiful bridges.