Page 17 of Dancing on Air

“You have red hair, which everyone knows won’t win you any points in ballet. You’ll have to powder it or wear a wig to hide the bright color. Your skin is pale enough and probably the only thing you have going for yourself,” Robin added.

Cora smiled. “Thanks.”

It wasn’t the first time she’d been talked down to. Nor, she wagered, would it be the last.

She knew what she was and, unlike a lot of dancers her age, she was comfortable in her own body.

Getting bored of Robin’s assessment of her, she stood up and finished putting her things in place.

“Though, being related to JT Whistler, that wins you big points,” Robin said, standing up and picking up the bag she’d dropped inside the door. Tossing it over her shoulder, she narrowed her eyes at Cora. “But your brother isn’t always going to be here and, soon enough, shining stars dull.” Robin walked out of the room without another word.

When Cora was alone, she closed her eyes and sighed.

Why had she believed she might have a roommate she would actually get along with? The last time that had happened, she’d been ten years old. She and Megan McCarley had lost touch with one another shortly after Megan’s family had moved to DC for her father’s job.

Ignoring her roommate wouldn’t be hard, though, as most of her time would be spent in the dance studios.

For the rest of the day, she unpacked, arranged, and tried to make the single bed and desk area all hers.

An hour before she was set to meet her brother at the restaurant down the street, she showered and changed into a summer dress.

She was thankful she hadn’t seen Robin again before leaving.

The moment she stepped out onto the sidewalk, she forgot all about her new roommate and just enjoyed the city.

When she reached the restaurant, she stepped inside the swinging doors and was immediately greeted by a woman in all black. Her hair was slicked back and, after running her eyes up and down Cora, she sneered as she asked if she could help her.

“Thomas party,” she said, raising her chin slightly as she glanced past the woman’s shoulder. Seeing her brother sitting in the corner, she waved and pushed past the woman.

JT hugged her, then held her chair out for her. “You didn’t hear it from me, but your roommate is a bitch,” he whispered, causing her to chuckle.

“Oh, I know it.” She sat down. “What did you do for the rest of the day? Write?”

He shook his head. “I took a very long nap.” He sighed as he sat down. “After I did a little shopping for Emma.”

“What’d you get?” She leaned towards him.

He glanced around and then pulled out a ring box from his pocket. She held in a squeal as she looked down at the diamond ring and took the box from her brother. The ring inside was so… Emma. Delicate yet strong, pretty and shiny, and expensive looking—perfect for a movie star.

“Sorry,” someone said next to her. At first, she’d thought it was their waiter, but then she glanced up and her breath caught when she noticed Max. The man she’d been dreaming about for two long months. The man she’d hoped to see again when she returned.

Max. God, he was even better looking than she remembered. She’d played his name over and over in her mind since first bumping into him.

He’d made her so nervous when she’d realized he was watching her dance that first day. Then she’d gone and spilled water all down his shirt. Which, of course, had caused her to wonder about what lay underneath the soaked material. Oh, she’d dreamed lots about that since then.

Suddenly, she noticed that his sexy honey-colored eyes weren’t on her but were glued to the ring box that she was holding in her hands. Shutting the box quickly she shoved it back towards her brother.

“Hi.” She smiled up at him.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt. I saw you walk in and thought I’d stop by. I guess you finally made it to BAC?” He dashed several small sideways glances towards JT. “Are you…” He frowned, and she saw recognition cross his eyes. “JT Whistler?”

Max looked like he relaxed slightly.

Her brother smiled and nodded. “In the flesh. How do you know my sister?”

Max suddenly snapped his fingers. “That’s right, you’re related.” He glanced at her and suddenly she could see humor in his eyes. “I work with the BAC.”

“With, not for?” JT asked, not missing a beat. Then he motioned to the empty chair next to Cora. “Care to join us?”