Page 8 of Grunt: A Marine Romance

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LOUD BOOMS CAUSEDthe floor to vibrate. Selena followed the bass path to the sound system where she found Dima dressed in a flashy Armani suit. She almost tripped over him. Not that he’d notice with his gaze set on Elizabeth, his latest blond-haired, blue-eyed, baby-faced prodigy and the youngest professional dancer on the show, at only eighteen. Dima had discovered her at a studio in Utah and recommended that Benny cast her on the show.

“Excuse me...” Selena interrupted.

“Hi, Selena,” Elizabeth said. “Dima was, uhm, he was just going over some steps with me. Good luck tonight. I’ll see you inside.” Then she ducked away.

Dima leaned on the pillar next to him and smiled. “Ready to win, Zaika?”

Selena winced. Though she’d once been quite fond of his cute nickname for her, a word that meant rabbit, hearing him use it now made her want to hop away. “Found out who the mystery dancer is. It’s Bret.”

Dima’s back straightened, temples bulging.

“I know. Benny texted to me. I don’t understand. Isn’t he in the war? He hasn’t danced together with anyone in years.”

Selena took a step back, crossing her arms. “He’s still with the Marines. Guess they’re letting him do the show to help raise money for his friend’s family. His friend was killed in Iraq. Benny asked me to partner him in his tryout. It’s official.”

His lips curled. “That’s ridiculous.” He tapped his foot. “It do not matter. We need to focus now. Remember, we are nothing without each other.”

Dima loved her in his own way, Selena knew that. But she couldn’t help wonder if their partnership was preventing her from ever finding true love.

Jenny Ming walked over to them. “Selena, we have to leave now.” Jenny’s pale face flushed red, her eyes darting at Dima. She held Selena’s makeup case. “You still have to gossip with the judges, and I have to sew you into your costume and do your makeup.”

In five minutes time, Selena would be chatting with the judges downstairs in the lobby. Picturing their faces, she started to feel that fluttery sensation in her stomach that she got before every competition.

“Let’s do this,” Selena said. Jenny competed in Standard, not Latin, so the two friends could always help each other get ready. Tonight was Selena’s night and Jenny rushed about, making sure everything went as planned.

Dima hooked her arm and led Selena inside the ballroom.

The trio made their grand entrance. Before Dancing under the Stars was on television, competitions had been low-key events, relegated to the ballrooms of hotels. These days, when one of the dancers on the show competed, a red carpet was rolled out and TMZ cameras were in the dancers’ faces. Dima, Selena, and Jenny smiled at the cameras, gave a few autographs to their fans, and headed into the ballroom. After waltzing through the luxurious lounge, they walked over to the cramped vendor room and made their way through the maze of stage jewelry, ballroom shoe peddlers, photographers, and costume designers.

Jenny headed over to the registration table and checked Selena and Dima in. Even though people were paying the organizers to come see the competitors dance, all competitors still had to buy tickets to the event.

Selena started grooving to the Latin music playing in the ballroom. She swayed to the beats of cha-cha and scanned the ballroom for familiar faces. She breathed a sigh of relief after reassuring herself that Bret wasn’t lurking around. The last thing she needed was to be distracted by him tonight.

Jenny returned from the desk and handed Selena and Dima their tickets. “Go schmooze, Sel. I’ll get set up for you in the dressing room. See you in fifteen.” She hugged Selena then rushed off to set up her friend’s costumes and makeup.

They did their rounds and kissed up to the judges in the house. Dima flirted with Karen as her son Jared chatted up Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s partner, Ricardo, only had eyes for his young boyfriend.

Selena observed Benny. His arm was wound tightly around his wife. Vika’s platinum hair was slicked into a sparkly bun, gold earrings framing her face and violet eyes glinting. She looked like an angel. Dima had introduced them at a competition in Moldova. Benny had certainly given her the life, plucking her from her small village in the Ukraine, training her to be his protégée, forcing his son to be her partner, casting her on the show.

Vika walked toward her and leaned in for a cheek kiss. “Selenichka, you look beautiful to me. Good luck to you tonight.”

“Cbacibo, Vika. I love your dress. Good luck to you.” Five seasons on a show together could turn anyone into close friends. This cast of characters was Selena’s family.

“Ahh, Selena. You look stunning, lassie. Let me have a gander,” Benny moved toward her.

She steadied her nerves. “Thanks, Benny. You must be thrilled to see Vika and Jared compete tonight.”

“Yes, luv, it’s great to see them give it a fair go.” He wet his lips and whispered in her ear, “But we both know they’re a no-hoper against you and Dim’er. Sorry about earlier with Bret. I wanted to give him the best chance and knew you would try to knock back if I told you ahead of time.”

Selena smiled, glad for his vote of confidence. “It’s fine. I was just shocked. I’m glad he’s going to be on the show.”

Nicole and her husband, Eric, walked over to the group.

Nicole kissed Benny. “Hi, Daddy. Hi, Selena. Are you excited about tonight?” Nicole cradled their infant daughter.

Selena was in awe of Eric and Nicole, one of the only couples in the ballroom world that were truly in love, on and off the floor. “Hi, Nikki. I’m thrilled. Thanks for helping me with my cha-cha choreography.”