“What? Your mom’s gonna be so excited to dance with you at her wedding! She’ll never forget it. Everyone knows the dances are the best part.”
“I thought the cake was the best part.”
“No, silly. It’s the love part, then the dancing part. At least for me.” I bounce with excitement as the revelation hits me. “That’s it. That's the thing I’m going to do for you.”
“Dance with my mom?”
“I’ll teachyouto dance with your mom. Dance lessons. I will give you dance lessons to repay you for the room.” I sigh. “And water the plants… And laundry can still be on the table too, but I’m adding in dance lessons because that’s funner.”
“Funner?”
“Funner!” I repeat.
In what can only be an act of God, Ty’s lips shudder and spread into the most gorgeous smile I think I’ve ever seen. It’s a good thing he keeps them under wraps most of the time, or my knees would be so weak I’d never be able to stand.
My body vibrates with the pent-up adrenaline from being woken up and hauled over here so early this morning. It’s not even eight o’clock yet, and already I’ve gotten a gig as a dance instructor. Kind of. Today is a good day.
A rush of gratitude fills me, and I can’t help myself. My arms loop around Ty in a hug, pulling him so we’re basically cheek to cheek. One squeeze tighter and the faint stubble of his jaw would be scraping against my cheekbone. For the early hours, he smells pretty good. It’s warm. Inviting. And it’s not cologne, maybe residually, I suppose. A thrill courses through me at the thought that maybe this is how he smells naturally. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to have this kind of aroma without trying… whatever it is.
My eye snags on his bedside table, and I can’t help but notice how meticulously it’s organized. A retainer case, an empty drinking glass, a phone charger, and some small, lined-up odds and ends are all placed in their own designated quadrants. Based on this, Ty might pass out if he ever saw the state of my typical bedside tables.
He clears his throat, and I realize my arms are still locked around him. It’s like I’m frozen. Maybe it’s because I’m still excited about making the team yesterday, maybe it’s because I’m happy I’m not going to be sleeping in mycar another night. It might even be because his brief smile has hypnotized me into some overly ecstatic lunatic. Whatever it is, being this close to Ty feels oddly natural. It’s not awkward at all. It almost makes me forget that I’m laying everything on the line by being in the same room as him.
CHAPTER TEN
TY
Avery’s armsare wrapped so tightly around my neck that I can hardly breathe as her cotton candy scent fills my nostrils. How does she smell so good after spending a night in her car? Her cat dives off the bed with a growl at her sudden movement. My arms are glued to my sides as I process her enthusiastic trespass into my space. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been wondering what it might feel like to be this close to her. I just hadn’t expected her to suffocate me. Releasing her death grip, she leans back and smiles. Her hazel eyes are bright and immediately make me forget any grumble I had about her launching herself at me. She’s sweet. And pretty.
“We’re gonna make you look so good. You’ll be a dancer yet!” Avery pushes off the bed, scoops up Dollyboy and floats toward the door. “Your date can thank me later. I accept tips. Cash and card. And cute little knick-knacks.”
And then she disappears into the hallway, leaving me alone on the edge of my bed, staring after her. She may bethe most unhinged person I’ve ever invited into my home. And I’ve asked her to stay.
This stranger will be sleeping down the hall from me.
The thought is both thrilling and terrifying because she totally seems like the type of person who would forget to turn the stove off.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. It’s another fifteen texts from my mom asking for measurements and sending me examples of suits she thinks I’d look nice in that also match her “wedding motif.” I thought Maggie had talked to her about toning down the blushing bride gimmick. I’m glad she’s excited, but it’s not either of their first weddings, and she’s acting like some obsessed little puppy. Another text from Ramiel rolls in, but I don’t check it. It’s too early to be talking to anyone. I’ve already nearly spent whatever energy that cup of coffee provided me trying to reason with Avery. I don’t even know why I’m up so early. We don’t have practice today.
My mind won’t shut off. My body won’t shut off.
I throw myself back against my comforter, close my eyes, and within seconds I’m drifting off. I’m not sure how long I’ve been asleep, but a blood-curdling scream wakes me. Launching from my bed, I dart out the door as a crash sounds off from Avery’s quarters. I race down the hall, stopping in her open doorway.
“What? Are you okay?” I say breathlessly.
“I thought I saw a spider on my shirt,” she says sheepishly.
I wait for the second half of her sentence, but she doesn’t say anything. Instead, she lifts a black caterpillar-looking thing. I grimace.
“It was just my falsie.” She laughs. The sound is light. Addicting. “A fake eyelash.”
I press my lips into a tight line, hoping she doesn’t realize that massive spiders might be one of the only things I can’t handle. Getting crushed by some 200-plus-pound dude on a field is one thing, but eight hairy legs skittering up my arm is far worse. I shudder.
She cocks her head, her lips twisting into a mischievous smile. “Ty, are you afraid of spiders?”
“No, but apparently you are.”
She turns and tosses the fake eyelash onto the bed like it’s a sweater she’ll be able to easily find later. She won’t. “Doesn’t like to dance, afraid of spiders… I’m already learning so much about you.”
