“Phillip, thank you so much for getting such great seats for us.” Her mom stands and hugs me.
“Honestly, it’s my pleasure. I want Tallulah to feel supported.”And I want us to be the first people she sees when she steps onstage.
“You were great last night on the ice,” Ties says.
“I had some serious motivation and a lot of help from my teammates.”
“You really pulled through, Madden.” Vander Zee claps me on the shoulder. “It’s an honor to have you love my daughter.”
“Thanks, Coach. She means the world to me.”
We take our seats and the lights go down. The first number is an entire class ensemble. It’s incredible to watch twenty dancers move as one. My gaze stays locked on Tally, who twirls across the stage with ease and grace. Even as part of a whole, she stands out. After the full class ensemble, they break off into small troupes of three to six dancers.
I’m on the edge of my seat as Tally, Arya, and Charles take their places. There are scouts from local theaters in the audience, and tonight could see her courted by some of her favorite dancers.
The lights come up with the first strains of the song. I’ve heard it plenty of times. It’s on one of Tally’s playlists. She’s front and center, poised and still, one hand reaching for the stars, the other extended toward the audience. I can’t take my eyes off her as she moves, completely in sync with her troupe. It’s a beautiful piece with compelling choreography, telling a story of love, loss, and rebirth.
Charles and Arya perform their solo pieces, and Tally finally takes the stage again. The music is moody and sensual.
Her eyes find mine as she unfurls and suddenly the world melts away. There’s no one but us. Because this song, this dance, it’s for me. And she is glorious. I’m transfixed, enraptured, as she spins across the stage, emotion pouring out of her. I could watch her for hours and never get tired, but the song eventually comes to an end and the theater bursts into applause. I whistleand cheer right along with everyone else. I’m so proud of her. So proud to be hers.
Tally’s performance is the last of the night, and the rest of her class joins her onstage for a standing ovation.
“God, I’m in love with her,” I say as I whistle and clap.
Dred squeezes my arm. “You can tell her that soon.”
It feels like it takes a million years before we file out of the theater. All I want is to see my girlfriend and congratulate her. Finally, we’re back in the foyer with all the dancers still dressed in their costumes.
Tally’s eyes lock on mine from across the room. She touches Arya’s shoulder and then she’s heading for me. I stride to meet her, arms open as she launches herself at me. I hug her tightly and lift her off her feet.
She pulls back, eyes searching mine, hands on my face. “Unpause.”
“Unpause,” I agree.
She presses her lips to mine. It’s a balm to my soul. Her hair creates a curtain around us, and I angle my head, lips parting to let her inside. I just want to get lost in her.
“I missed you so much,” I whisper.
“Me, too. Let’s never pause again.”
“Never,” I agree.
I want to whisk her away and keep her all to myself, but her family and friends deserve a moment with her first. I set her down. “You were otherworldly up there. I couldn’t take my eyes off you. It felt like you were dancing just for me.”
“I was, and I will again, when it’s just us.”
“Can’t wait.” I pass her the flowers. “These are for you.”
“They’re beautiful.” She brings them to her nose and sniffs the blossoms.
“Not as beautiful as you.” I pull the journal from the inside pocket of my suit jacket. “And this is also for you.”
She runs her fingers over the leather, then opens it, eyes flipping up to mine. “What is this?”
“It’s my truth. All my hopes and fears. All the things I’ve wanted to say but have been afraid to.”
“And you want me to have it?” She hugs it gently.
