“Y-you’re going too?”
“Of course. I’ve never taken salsa lessons, and I thought I’d give it a try, and be there as your moral support,” he says, amused. “But if you’d rather go alone, I’ll respect that.”
“No, it’s fine if you come. But... isn’t Friday a little too soon? That’s only two days from now.”
“Yes. Perfect timing for you to get used to the idea and not have enough time to change your mind.”
We talk for a while longer, and the moment we hang up, I let myself fall back into the couch cushions.
Staring up at the ceiling, I burst into laughter, wondering how on earth I just agreed to this.
Alexander
I glance at my watch again. She’s ten minutes late.
Did she change her mind?
Maybe I shouldn’t have asked so abruptly. Maybe I should’ve scheduled it for next week, given her more time to prepare. But the way her eyes lit up when she spoke about wanting to take that class… I could see it was something she still wanted. So I took a chance.
And now I’m standing here in front of the studio, wondering if I pushed too far... or if she’s about to turn the corner and prove me wrong.
Less than two minutes later, I feel that same pull at the back of my neck, the instinct that always seems to sense her before I actually see her. I turn, and there she is, hurrying toward me.
I smile, and when she’s close enough, I reach for her hand and bring it to my lips.
“Ciao, cara mia,” I say. “I was beginning to think you were going to stand me up.”
“Sorry,” she says, slightly breathless. “Parking was impossible.”
“It’s all right,” I reassure her. “You have more than enough time to change. Shall we?”
I walk with Cecily to the locker area, then head back to the reception to wait.
When she returns, she’s wearing a dusty rose dress, fitted across her chest and up to her collarbones before falling loose just beneath the curve of her bust, the fabric flowing just below her knees. Low-heeled nude shoes complete the look.
Bellissima.Assolutamente bellissima[XXXIV].
When she stops in front of me, she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and says, “The outfit suggestion on the link you sent was for something like this. I hope I got it right.”
“You look beautiful,” I say, more in control than I feel.
“Thank you.” She lets her eyes travel over me then, as if seeing me for the first time tonight. “You know... when you’re in jeans you look like a completely different person.”
I press my lips together to keep from smiling. I’m wearing dark jeans and a crisp white shirt. And the way she says it makes me believe she likes this version of me.
I gesture to the hallway on our right. “The class is in the studio down this way.”
Cecily nods, gathers her hair, and twists it into a loose bun. When she turns around, the movement reveals the back of her dress. Open almost entirely, exposing the line of her spine, the delicate curve of her waist, the subtle dip where the fabric parts...
I exhale calmly and follow her.
We walk into the studio where the class will be held; a few people are already here. We greet them with a polite nod.
The instructor doesn’t take long to begin the class, and I notice Cecilia has already adjusted the skirt of her dress at least three times.
I move a little closer and lean down to whisper in her ear. “You don’t need to be nervous. If you’re not comfortable, just say the word and we’ll leave.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t want to leave, I’m just... a little nervous.”
