They all looked at the stage expectantly, Harry included. His stomach was a ball of nerves as he contemplated what torture he’d be put through in the name of entertainment. So far there’d been the embarrassing how-well-do-you-know-each-other Q&A, the equally uncomfortable personal interviews, and the cooking segment where John had nearly poisoned him.Surely, this one has to be better?
“However, before we get to the big reveal, we have some entertainment for you all,” Brian announced. “So sit back, relax, and enjoy.”
The music grew louder as the auditorium lights dimmed. The spotlight shining on the show’s host was extinguished, and in the near darkness, he moved off stage where there was movement in the wings. The music swelled to a crescendo, and the audience applauded. Harry joined them, clapping from his place in the front rows where all the contestants sat. The music stopped and stage lights went off, plunging it into darkness. The audience quieted in the silence. Harry sat in anticipation with bated breath but didn’t have long to wait.
The stage gradually lightened to reveal a guy and girl standing motionless in the centre. They were wrapped around each other in a pose that looked both elegant and impossible. The male dancer was dressed in an outfit of simple tights and a singlet top, the woman wore a leotard with a short, gauzy swath of fabric tied around her hips. Both costumes were flesh-toned, keeping the focus on the beautiful bodies they adorned. As the music rose again, the couple began moving. The dance was graceful and majestic, a contemporary piece that seemed a mix of ballet and acrobatics. The two bodies entwined with each other in such a way that they appeared joined and moved as one. Long legs and sleek arms moved with grace as they twirled around one another, moving across the stage in such a way that they appeared to be floating. The spotlight chased their movements, highlighting every breathtaking moment.
Harry was in awe, especially when the dance escalated from the smooth and gentle romantic glide and the guy lifted the girl high into the air. He held her above his head, her body horizontal with the stage, before allowing her to fall in a rolling motion down his body, keeping a grasp on her and stopping her fall when she reached his knees. In a move too quick for Harry’s eyes to see, she was suddenly holding his hand while she spun in a circle at his feet before he lifted her again. The lifts and throws were outstanding, and Harry held his breath with each and every one. When the routine finally drew to its conclusion, Harry was on his feet clapping with the rest of the audience.
“Holy shit,” he whispered to John, “that was awesome.”
John agreed with an enthusiastic nod. “It sure was.”
The dancers grasped hands and walked to the front of the stage where they lifted their joined hands and then bowed. The audience clapped and cheered, until eventually Brian joined the dancers on stage and made a motion with his hands to encourage everyone to sit.
“They were fabulous, weren’t they?” Brian said, addressing the crowd. “So let me introduce you to our wonderful performers. Firstly, I’d like to introduce Jules. Jules is a classically trained dancer and one of the ship’s performers. You can see her perform in the various cruise productions. Accompanying her tonight is Milo, dance master extraordinaire. Milo has been dancing since he was old enough to walk and has won many international dance competitions. He is the chief dance instructor on the ship. If you’re lucky enough to get into one of the dance classes they offer as part of the ship’s activities, you’ll be taught by the best.”
Milo tapped Brian on the shoulder and said something inaudible to the audience.
“What’s that, Milo?” Brian asked.
Milo spoke again.
“Oh! Theyarelucky enough to be able to attend a dance class.” Brian turned to face the audience, flashing his huge grin. “That’s right! You heard it,Sea of Lovecouples, you will all be having dance lessons with the master!”
Harry could hear the contestants mumbling to themselves, obviously, like him, wondering where this was all leading.
“In case you haven’t figured it out, the next test you’ll all be doing is a dance-off. You’ve heard of Dancing with the Stars, and So You Think You Can Dance? Well, in this case you’ll be the stars, and we’ll all be letting you know just how well you can dance!”
There was a collective groan from the front two rows, and the camera panned across in front of the stage, no doubt capturing their reactions. Harry plastered on a smile, pretty easy to do this time, because he absolutely loved dancing and knew John had a few moves under his belt too. This, they could do.
* * *
They’d only been givenan hour to change and prepare themselves before they reconvened in the auditorium. The contestants stood around nervously, and cameramen and lighting people busied themselves on the periphery. Amber was shitting herself. She was aterribledancer.
“Oh my God, Evan. This is the absolute worst. I’m so sorry, I’m going to make you look terrible. I can’t believe they’re going to make us dance. What sort of dancing is it?”
Evan held back a chuckle. He took her hands to stop the exaggerated panicked motions and drag her attention to him, not all the commotion going on around them. “Hey, hey. It’ll be fine.”
She groaned. “How can you say that? You’ve seen me dance.”
Evan did laugh this time. “Yes, but I’ve never seen you in such a state as you are now.”
“That’s because I’msober,for Christ’s sake!”
“They’re going to give us lessons, so you’ll learn the moves. I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about.” He cringed inwardly at the blatant lie—his own stomach was full of butterflies.
“That’s easy for you to say, Mr Astaire.” Amber rolled her eyes, but there was humour in her tone, replacing the earlier dread.
“I’ll tell you what, if push comes to shove, I’ll sneak you a shot.”
She giggled, and Evan sighed with relief at her more relaxed demeanour.
“Good afternoon, everyone. If I can have your attention.”
They both looked to the assistant producer who was standing at the front of the room with the two super-talented dancers from the evening before. The dancers wore similar outfits to the ones they’d worn on stage and broad smiles. They looked professional and at ease, totally unlike their wannabe dancers, and no doubt, unwilling students.
“I’ll need more than one shot,” Amber hissed. “And make it tequila. Doubles.”
