“Shoes off or on?” Marcus asked.
“Off. But I have a pair of sticky socks for you.” Reese gestured to the other restroom. “They’re on the sink in there for you. You should get changed.”
“Will do.” Marcus scurried off, disappearing into the bathroom.
She instructed Julia to do the same in the girl’s bathroom, adding that socks were in there for her too.
The door opened one more time. Cody walked in first, hands in his pockets, a grimace on his face like he regretted coming already. She barely had time to register that, however, because right behind him was Roan. Had he just brought Cody? Or was he staying?
Roan wore athletic shorts and a T-shirt that showed off his arms and shoulders. His hair was slightly damp, like he’d showered recently.
“Hey,” Roan said, grinning. “Got room for one more?”
“Hey.” Reese forced herself to sound casual and professional. “There’s always room for you. But I didn’t expect you’d be here.”
“Cody and I made a deal,” Roan said.
“You did?” Reese raised her eyebrows at Cody.
“I figured since you came yesterday, he should do the same,” Cody said.
Touched, she hardly knew what to say. “Cody, that’s really sweet. Thanks for giving this a chance.”
“You’re giving us dance lessons for free,” Cody said. “It would be rude not to be here.”
“This isn’t an obligation, but I’m thrilled you’re here,” Reese said. “Now go change. We need to get started.” She explained about the sticky socks to Cody and Roan. “There are pairs in there for both of you.”
The two of them wandered off to the bathroom. She heard Roan ask Cody, “I wonder what a sticky sock is.”
“So we don’t slip,” Cody said.
“So we’re not wearing tennis shoes?” Roan asked.
She smiled to herself, tickled by their presence and their questions. They were in for a fun time.
Soon, everyone was changed, wearing sticky socks and workout clothes.
“All right, everyone find a spot on the floor. Spread out so you have room to move.” Reese walked to the center of the studio as they arranged themselves. “Okay, first off, there’s no reason to be nervous or self-conscious. As I tell all my adult students, there’s no wrong way to dance. We’re here for exercise and fun. That’s it.”
She looked directly at Cody and Roan. “I know this might feel uncomfortable or awkward. That’s totally normal. Just try. That’s all I’m asking.”
Cody shrugged. Roan nodded.
“Okay. Let’s warm up. Shake out your arms.” Reese demonstrated, moving her arms from the shoulders down to her fingertips. “Get all the tension out. Shake, shake, shake.”
Emma giggled, shaking enthusiastically. Julia did the same, smiling as she did so. Marcus started out tentatively but soon began to get into it, even raising his arms over his head. Cody held his arms stiffly next to his side, with only a few twitches to indicate he was participating. Roan shook his like he was trying to rid himself of a school of ants crawling under his arm hair.
“Now your legs. One at a time. Shake it out.”
They complied, the energy in the room starting to shift from nervous to playful.
“Roll your shoulders back. Big circles. Get that tension out of your neck and upper back.” Reese demonstrated, rolling hershoulders in exaggerated circles. “After yesterday’s workout, I bet you’re all feeling it in your shoulders.”
She led them through more warm-up—arm circles, hip circles, gentle twists. The hip circles caused a side-eyed glance from Cody and Roan. Emma and Julia laughed at their response.
“All right. Now we’re going to stretch at the barre. Find a spot anywhere and face the mirror.” Reese walked to the front of the room. “Using the barre is a great way to stretch out your hip and leg muscles.”
She placed her right leg on the barre, standing tall on her left leg. Her extended leg rested at hip height, perfectly straight. She leaned forward slightly, folding over the extended leg, her chest touching her thigh.
