Emilio nodded and walked beside Rayne to the next stall. “You’re taking a lot of business cards,” he said. “Still thinking about that decorator mall idea?”
“I’m doing more than thinking about it. I’ve been talking to some people about the logistics of it,” Rayne said.
Emilio stopped in his tracks, wondering if he was hearing right. Going slow had meant he wasn’t letting himself think too much about what might happen if they did get back together, but the fact was that Rayne’s business was in Atlanta and Emilio’s was here. “You really are serious about moving back?” He tried to keep his tone light, but he wasn’t certain he’d managed to keep the hope out of his voice.
Rayne stopped as well and faced Emilio. “I’ve felt like something was missing for a while now, but when I came back here… I don’t know. Something clicked into place. I’ve been more content here in the last few weeks than I have been the last few years in Atlanta.” He clasped Emilio’s hand loosely and offered a shy, one-sided smile. “A lot of that is thanks to you.”
Despite his intentions of being careful and not letting himself fall for Rayne, Emilio felt perilously close to the edge of the cliff. He laced his fingers with Rayne’s and gave them a squeeze. “Even if I gave you hell at the beginning?” he asked, smiling wryly.
“You had good reason to doubt me and my motives,” Rayne said, returning the squeeze. “But I think we’re moving past that, right?”
“Definitely.” Emilio lifted their joined hands so he could press a kiss to the back of Rayne’s. “The longer you’re here, the more it’s feeling like you never left.”
Before Rayne could reply, Emilio felt a touch on his arm. He turned to find Angela Ramsay, his dance partner from the Christmas Waltz, looking at him pensively.
“Hey, Angela, how are you?” Emilio asked, immediately concerned at her expression. They’d seen each other just the previous night at the performance, but obviously something had happened.
“I’m so sorry, Emilio,” she said. “I’m going to miss the Christmas Eve performances. My son-in-law fell and broke his leg. They’re managing okay for now, but with the kids and Christmas, they asked if I could fly down to help out.”
“Of course.” Emilio didn’t even think. He reached out and took Angela’s hand, squeezing it gently. “I’m sorry about Mitch. Family is the most important thing, especially at the holidays. I can get someone to stand in for the dance, no problem. Don’t worry about it at all.”
“Thank you.” She smiled, obviously relieved. “I appreciate your understanding.”
Emilio was already thinking quickly as he bid her goodbye and Angela hurried back toward the bakery. “So… how about it? Feel like partnering me for the waltz and bringing Holiday Pines into the twenty-first century?”
Rayne shot him a startled look. “Me?”
“Of course, you.” Emilio grinned. “As I recall we moved well together. And danced well together, too.”
“We movedverywell together,” Rayne said, chuckling. “But I haven’t danced like that since we broke up. Rusty doesn’t begin to cover it.”
“There’s over a week for us to practice.” Emilio smiled wickedly. “You aren’t afraid of a challenge, are you?”
“I’m trying to court you, aren’t I?” Rayne shot back. “Okay, if you don’t think I’ll shame you or that we’ll get run out of town, I’m in.”
“Oh, like the whole entire town doesn’t know we’re both gay?” Emilio chuckled, pleased that Rayne had agreed. Linking his arm with Rayne’s, Emilio started walking again. “Let’s finish up here, then head over to the studio. If we’re going to practice, we might as well get started.”
