Page 20 of Dancing on Air

“We’re done for the day,” he said to the group. When everyone turned to go, he added, “If the two of you are willing, I’d like to run through this one more time?”

Cora glanced over at Luc who shrugged. “I’m game,” Luc said.

Cora turned to him and nodded. “Sure.”

Reece moved to whisper something in Cora’s ear, and she chuckled. Instantly, a wave of jealousy washed over him.

In the past two years, he’d bumped into Cora many times. He’d hoped it would have been more, but he’d been busy proving himself to his parents to get them to trust him.

If they were going to turn over the reins and allow him to focus on his own creations, it was a necessary step.

As it was, he was pushing the limits by having Cora and Luc run through the scene while the other dancers were still there.

What he wanted to do was cancel Romeo and Juliet and focus solely on Dancing on Air. But he couldn’t chance word of his deceit getting back to his parents.

“Is there more to this?” Cora asked when they had run through his changes.

“There is,” he nodded.

“Can we see it?” Luc asked. “I mean, I know we’re supposed to be focusing on R and J, but it would be really great to find out what happens to my character. To our characters.” He motioned between him and Cora.

Max smiled. “After practice tomorrow, if you’re interested.” Both of them nodded. “Good. For now, we’re done for the day.” He turned and picked up his bag while Luc rushed off stage to change.

“Does he die?” Cora asked, still standing in the middle of the stage.

“Who?” he asked.

She rolled her eyes and waved her arms to the empty stage.

He chuckled. “Pete?” She nodded. He tilted his head. The truth was, he didn’t know yet. “Guess you’ll have to wait and see.”

She tilted her head. “I should be doing a sauté instead of the jeté.”

He stopped and frowned up at her. “When?”

“After the…” She moved into position and ran through the moves. “See,” she said a little breathless.

He shook his head. “No, it’s better my way.”

Her eyes narrowed, then she shrugged. “What’s it called? This ballet of yours?”

“Dancing on Air.” He moved closer to her. This was the first time he’d told anyone. He was curious to see what she thought.

“I like it.” She smiled easily. “How many acts does it have?”

“Three.”

“Is the dream sequence the last?”

He shook his head. “The first.”

Her eyebrows shot up and she was silent for a moment. “I was… going to grab some food. I’d love to hear more if you have the time.”

He glanced at his watch. He had no place else he was due to be. Over the past three months, he’d spent all of his free time working on the ballet. He’d even skipped out on the past several dinners with his parents.

“Sure,” he said. “We can hit the deli at the corner.”

“I’ll go change.” She rushed from the stage.