I can’t believe this woman used to be a pushover.
“I’ve spent almost every day with her for the past four months. It would be hard notto.”
“You’ve had co-stars you never got along with after spending almost double the time with them. You might be able to fool yourself by saying it’s all for the camera, but I saw the way you looked at her.”
I dragged my hands through my hair. “It doesn’t matter whether I like her or not, Mom.”
“Does Matilda have feelings for you?”
I could still hear the wobble in Matilda’s voice as she told me she liked me too much to be casual. The way her eyes betrayed her sadness, but she held her head high and told me how she was feeling.
Matilda was right. We had to be all or nothing.
My unspoken answer hung in theair.
My mother readjusted her blankets. “Have you told her about Nancy?”
“Yes.”
“Have you ever told anyone besides Jack and me? Does Matilda seem like someone you can’t trust?” she asked, not letting up on the inquisition.
Four months ago, I would have said there was no way in hell I could trust Matilda.
But Ihadtold her everything—things about my career, my mother, and my life, some things I’d never told anyone else. And not once had I considered whether she’d betray my trust—because Iknewshe wouldn’t.
She was one of my favorite people.
“Of course I trust her.”
“So what’s the problem, then? What’s stopping you from being with her?”
“It’s not about the trust anymore. WithDirty Dancing,I’m going to be in and out for years, and the press are already going crazy with her—I don’t want to start something and then leave herto fend for herself. And I definitely don’t want to put Matilda in the position you were in with Dad, where she’s always second-guessing her worth.”
“Luca.” My mother held my gaze, unwavering. “You’re only going to be traveling the world ifyouwant the part inDirty Dancing,not me. Donotlet what you think I want stop you from starting a relationship with the woman you love.”
The woman you love.
Her words lingered in the air, and the realization clicked inside me, a warmth spreading through my chest.
I love Matilda.
“And the media? What if everything goes wrong again?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
“Look at me.” She grabbed both hands and squeezed. “I mean, really look at me.” I didn’t like her resigned tone one bit. My eyes started burning again for the second time in twenty minutes.
“I am going to die, and you should always take advice from a dying person.” She smiled, not a crease of worry or sadness on her face. “You get one life and one life only, Luca. We aren’t coming back to live it again,so live it while you’re here. Live your life like you’re dying. Do the things that make you scared, because they’re the ones that matter.”
The press event buzzed withenergy, flashing cameras, and journalists huddling around their notepads as they interviewed the celebrities and the other professional skaters while waiters darted around. After so many weeks together, everyone mingled effortlessly, their laughter ringing out above the steady, rhythmic thump of music. Amid the chaos, I smiled, content to be enjoying the electric atmosphere.
Yet I couldn’t stop my gaze from drifting to the door, despite knowing Luca wasn’t coming.
I knew it would be ridiculous to prioritize an optional press event over his one chance to land the role.
But I had gotten used to Luca’s towering figure at my side, his dry running commentary, and how when he was near I felt more myself than I ever had. His calm confidence had a way of anchoring me, making me believe I could be steady, too. If you’d told me four months ago that I’d have restarted therapy and stood up to my family, I’d just have laughed. But I had, and it feltgood.
Lifting the prosecco glass to my lips and taking a sip, I scanned the room for someone to latch onto.
A few people had already asked about Luca’s whereabouts, andI had answered honestly, explaining that he was at an audition. Luca had mentioned it wasn’t a secret, and Jack had already informed most of the press that he wouldn’t be attending.
