Page 14 of Sway

I cross my arms and contemplate the tradeoff of a long life in prison for the momentary joy of murdering a certain British dancer. Then I’m spun from behind and Genya is taking me back into his arms. “I still think you have perfect body,” he whispers in my ear.

Remind me why I ever left this man? Ah, right, because I am an idiot.

I hook my thumb around his right bicep and melt into his embrace. We actually never competed in Standard together but it doesn’t matter. I know every inch of his body and we merge together. Foxtrot is not my forte so Genya takes charge and guides me through the steps. We flow around the floor and I pray that the song will never end.

With impeccable timing, Gabriel changes the song. Joy of murder versus pain of prison . . .? “Jesus to a Child” starts playing. “Rumba, please,” he calls out.

Genya’s hand traces over my wrist. We begin to dance a slow, soulful rumba. Our rumba. And we become one. He pushes me away from him and leads me into an overturned back break and then pulls me back into him. He drops his hands around my waist and we grind our hips together. My body moves with his, perfectly in sync. I have grown as a dancer, and for the first time, I fill out his arms, move with his hips, and melt into his chest. Before, we danced as a boy and a girl. Now, we dance as a man and a woman. He tenderly brushes my cheek. I push a black lock of hair from his forehead. He traces his fingers down my body. “I miss you,” I whisper then wrap my leg around him.

Genya presses his lips to my ear and whispers, “I miss you, too, Saloméichka.” Then he slowly unwraps my leg and pushes my chin up with his thumb. “But as friend. Nothing more. I’m in love together with Iza.”

Gabriel cuts off the music.

“All right, everyone,” he shouts. “Take a five minute break and then we’ll start on the choreography.”

Jenny and Diana rush over to me as Iza claims her man.

“Oh my God, Sal, what did he say to you?” Diana asks. “Did you tell him you still love him? Are you guys gonna compete together again?”

Jenny is standing away, her arms crossed. “Get a grip, Diana. They danced together for like four whole minutes.”

“Four minutes is enough for true love,” Diana says.

I dig in my bag for my FIJI water then guzzle it. The girls are still standing there, waiting. I wipe my lips with my arm. “I told him I missed him. No biggie.”

Diana brightens like a light bulb. “And . . .”

“And . . . he says he misses me too.”

Diana squeals.

“Like a friend,” I add.

Diana smiles even bigger. “Just give him time. I know you two will get back together. You were just so perfect.”

“Diana, you live in the biggest bubble.” Jenny sits on a chair and starts frantically brushing her shoe soles. “I’m so glad they paired me with Eric. He’s a great dancer and very professional. At least it makes this process a tad more bearable.” She drops her foot to the ground and sighs. “Spa parties with Vika? I told you so.”

“It won’t be too bad,” I say. “We can always bury her in a mud bath.”

“I heard that,” Vika says, invading our side of the studio. “Salomé, looks like Genya isn’t happy about having to dance together with you. I mean Iza is very gorgeous. It must be letdown for him to push extra twenty pounds around floor. You could hurt him.”

So we’re back right where we left off. “Can’t be as bad as Stas having to dance with you. Didn’t he leave the country just to escape you?”

Vika’s eyes narrow ever so slightly. Bingo! A clink in the armor. “I still can’t even believe how they let you on show,” she says. “The wardrobe people must be working extra trying to find enough fabric to cover your ass.”

I jump into her space. “Enough, Vika. We’re not going to spend this entire season fighting. Why do you have to be such a bitch? You won an Emmy for my dance, and you beat me at Nationals. You win, okay? I’m not going to play your game. I just want to surround myself with positive people. Give it up.” I want to stomp all over her perfect pedicure and rip out her elegantly coiffed extensions.

“Fine. I’ll play nice. But this is my set. All you three do is make fun of my show. I can’t imagine why you want to do it.” Vika lowers her voice when she sees Benny glaring at her. “I won’t allow you to ruin my show.”

Nice to see Vika actually takes pride in something other than herself.

Iza walks up to Vika and kisses her on the cheek, then levels her green eyes on me. “I guess Gabriel says we must be friends with you,” she says. “As long as you stay away from my Genya, we can be okay.” She blinks her mile-long eyelashes. Who am I kidding? Genya will never leave her for me. She’s stunning. I mean, not that I want him to or anything.

Nicole walks over, cradling her baby. Genya and I used to talk about having a family . . .

“Ladies,” Nicole says, “I know some of you have had problems in the past, but we’re all going to have so much fun together. This show is so good for our industry. Enjoy the season. We’re going to attend movie premieres, store openings, charity events, award shows. I’m so happy we get to do this together. I think this is the best group of dancers yet.” She walks over to the craft service table, which is piled with goodies that I can’t even look at or I’ll gain a pound. She takes a glass of white wine and raises it high. “To the 2018 Dancing under the Stars cast!”

Uhh. Not another toast.