“Beautiful performance tonight,” Sam says. “I brought a couple of friends to say hi.” He steps aside, and one of the lead dancers appears.
Tally’s fingers dig into my arm.
“Flip Madden! It’s an honor.”
“The honor is all mine. You were incredible up there tonight.” I put my arm around Tally. “I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Tallulah Vander Zee. She’ll be graduating from the Tilton dance program next month.”
“You were amazing,” Tally gushes. “I used to go to all your performances when you were a Tilton student. You’re such an inspiration.”
Sam doesn’t have to introduce the cast. Tally already knows them by name and has even met a few of them when they’ve visited Tilton as guest speakers and dance instructors. Their conversation is easy, and I’m content to sit back and watch my girlfriend work the room.
“Is the final showcase still three pieces?” Kerri, the female lead, asks.
“That’s right.” Tally nods. “Full class routine, small troupe, and solo.”
“What’s your solo number?”
“I chose contemporary.”
The dancers offer her some pointers on what she could add to make her performance stand apart.
“Have you applied here yet? They’ll be hosting auditions mid-May,” Kerri asks.
“I’ve put in an application,” Tally affirms.
“Any other companies?” Dalton, one of the other lead dancers, asks.
“A few. Mostly local, though,” Tally confides.
“We’ll cross all our fingers and toes that we see you at rehearsals after May,” Kerri says.
Tally smiles, and I can see her future unfolding. Our future. I want to give her the world, to be the person who supports her, cheers her on. I’ll celebrate every win with her and encourage her to keep going despite the losses. If this is where she wants to be, this is where I want to finish my career.
She’s the one I’ve been waiting for.
And I’m through making her wait for me.
CHAPTER 40
TALLY
“Thank you so much for tonight.” I’m riding an adrenaline high. “I can’t believe I met two of my favorite dancers. I think I was twelve when my mom first took me to see them perform at Tilton.”
Flip is all smiles as we step into the elevator and he pushes the button for his floor. “It’s a glimpse into your future.”
“Is this how you felt every time you went to see the Terror before you made the pros? Or when you were accepted to the Hockey Academy? Learning from all those legends.” He truly understands my passion for dance, the way I understand his love for hockey.
“Being coached by Alex Waters and Randy Ballistic and Rook Bowman was a dream come true, not just for me but all the guys who trained with them.”
The elevator doors open, and we walk down the hall to his apartment, fingers twined. Tonight feels different. He always makes me feel cherished and special, but taking me to see the dancers who inspired me as a kid shows me how in tune Flip is with my hopes and dreams. I’ve been pushing extra hard with the end of the semester looming.
“This is exactly the motivation I needed to make sure my performance pieces blow my instructors away.”
Flip opens the door to his apartment and ushers me inside. “I’ll be your audience anytime you want.” He tosses his keys on the side table and flips the security latch.
I loop my arms around his neck. I have the perfect thank you for tonight. “You haven’t seen my solo piece yet.”
“I haven’t.” His hands settle on my waist, eyes lighting up.
