Page 50 of Dancing in the Dark

She really is on Cato’s shoulders, but he’s strong, and she’s happy up there. If she falls, there are a dozen grown-ass people willing to jump in and catch her before she touches the ground.

If you’re so stressed you can’t function, you COULD come here for dinner and spend the night. There are six million bedrooms in this place, and Mia wouldn’t even know unless you specifically told her.

It’s too bad Fifi’s got that thing on with the mayor tonight, huh? Could’ve been the perfect opportunity for you to make up for the date you screwed up the other week.

The other week?

Fuck. I screwed up last night, too. But I haven’t told a soul how that went yet. Not the part where Sera told me she was out and shattered my fucking soul, nor the bit where she jumped into my arms and breathed a thank God straight into my lungs.

That’s for me and Sera. Until it doesn’t hurt quite so much to breathe, I keep us to myself.

Me:

Yeah, it’s too bad. If shit gets dire here and I need some company later, I’ll swing by. Until then, send me pics of my baby if you get the chance. I’m kinda sick to my stomach thinking about her sleeping someplace else.

Minka:

Will do. Pretty sure Cato’s already taken a zillion of them, so you’ll probably get bombarded later.

Try to relax. You haven’t had a night off in a really long time, so… I dunno. Watch a movie. Eat bad food. Maybe even get eight consecutive hours of sleep if you can manage it. Mia’s safe.

19

SERAPHINA

Chandeliers glisten high above my head, and candlelight flickers from the center of a dozen round tables. Knives and forks have been cleared away. Plates have been licked clean—metaphorically, that is—and a beautiful sixteen-year-old tenth-grader sits in front of a grand piano in a dress she’s probably considering re-purposing for her prom when the time arrives.

She plays effortlessly despite her age, hitting every note with smooth precision and bathing the opulent ballroom in a soft melody I could never achieve even if I wanted to.

My mother wanted me to be accomplished in more than just dance. She wanted a singer. A violinist. A model. Hell, if I could juggle chainsaws above my head and make it look elegant, I bet she would’ve signed me up.

“Proud of your work, Seraphina?”

I glance to my left and stop on Justin’s smiling approach and the long-stemmed glass he offers.

“Soda water,” he explains. “You’ve been working non-stop since we arrived, and let’s not pretend you ate more than a bite or two of your dinner before your attention was called elsewhere. By the time you returned to your seat, the plates had been cleared.”

I mean. I was a little devastated. But I would never say so out loud.

“Thank you.” I bring the glass up to my lips and work hard on maintaining my posture despite the late hour. Despite the too little sleep I got last night after Charlie left, since my brain refused to let me rest.

Today, he’s been nothing but a fount of over-communication.

Charlie:

Mia’s at school. She asked where I was last night, but I didn’t say anything about us. Figured you and I should discuss it and get on the same page first.

Arch is annoying me today. Cato told him that we went out last night, so now he won’t stop asking questions. Didn’t tell him either: figured you and I should discuss it and get on the same page first.

Missing you, Sera. Missing you so fucking much, I’d kick my own ass if I could. I think I’ve turned into a bit of a pussy.

Then two hours ago:

Charlie:

I know you’re working, so you don’t have to reply right now. No pressure. Mia’s having a sleepover with Cato tonight, and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with my life. What did I do before she came along? I don’t even remember that guy anymore.

I hope you’re having a nice evening. Swing by a mirror if you get the chance. Take a pic and send it over. I wanna see you.