“All right,” Mrs.Vidar-Tett yells, stepping into the center of the court. “Please welcome your instructor for the next hour, Mrs.Sorrentino. She’ll lead us through your first ballroom lesson, so let’s give her a warm welcome.”
A scattered applause echoes through the room as a short woman with curly hair threaded with gray joins Mrs.Vidar-Tett.
“Thank you all,” she says, a light Irish lilt in her voice. “Ballroom dancing is both a physical challenge as well as a mental one, but I want you to have fun. That’s important.” She glances around the gym. “As this is your first lesson, I don’t expect any of you tomaster the art. You’re not here to impress me. And if you embrace it, you’ll find it has a lot to teach you. Self-confidence, emotional expression, and, of course, teamwork.”
For the next twenty minutes, she walks us through the basic steps of the dance we’re meant to perform at the presentation ball. Students who lead have slightly different movements than ones who follow. Body language is an important tool in communication, Mrs.Sorrentino reminds us. Pay attention. Focus on your partner’s leading style. Work together. The flow will appear natural if you’re working in sync.
And when she asks for a volunteer, William’s hand shoots through the air. A few guys snicker, but there’s no shame on his face as he steps into the center of the room.
Mrs.Sorrentino leads first, running it back while counting aloud so everyone can hear. William squares his shoulders and follows with ease, and when she notices how quickly he catches on, her eyes pop with genuine surprise. A silent wave of awe falls over the room.
“Wonderful,” she states when they switch, William leading the four-count steps. “Remember, this is practice. Don’t expect perfection. The more you try, the easier it should come. I’m going to walk around and observe.”
When it’s time to break off with our escorts, William finds me.
“You’re such a show-off,” I say under my breath, but I’m grinning.
“You must allow me to be of some use.” His confident gaze sinks into mine. “Since I haven’t had much to offer.”
This gives me pause. “What do you—?”
“Let’s try it together,” Mrs.Sorrentino interrupts from across the court. “And one, two—”
The next thing I know, William’s hand finds mine, the other stabilized on my upper back.
My heartbeat quickens.
“Place your hand on the top of my shoulder,” William reminds me.
Whoosh. A blood rush to the head. Rapid tremors convulse in my chest. I am extremely aware of our sudden physical closeness. The sweet camphorous scent that lives in the fabric of his clothes, fragrant and earthy. The slight stubble that roams over his jaw, his amber eyes—all of it’s dangerous. I shouldn’t allow my heart to carry these live-wire feelings.
“Follow in my steps,” he continues. “My foot falls back, your right falls forward. It will become more fluid as we go.”
I try, even though I’m stiff and awkward. A quick glance around the room reveals everyone else might feel the same. In fact, most of us would feel more at ease reciting the periodic table in front of thousands of people instead of struggling to find an ounce of rhythm.
“Loosen your shoulders,” he encourages. “Straighten your back. Don’t look down, at me.”
I do as he says—
And then immediately step on his foot.
“Shit.” I drop my hands. “I’m sorry.”
Good thing I am not Gareth Shep.
“This didn’t come naturally to me either,” he reassures me. “It’s less about memorizing each step like you’re conducting an experiment and more about trying to find that instinctual movement.”
“Oh,” I deadpan, “is that all?”
His smile reaches his eyes. “Trust yourself.”
He makes it sound easy, but something inside me wilts. I’ve never excelled in that particular practice. I mean, I’vetried.Like when I attempted playing the tuba or when I’d tried out for the soccer team my first year at Ivernia and quickly realized running was not my strong suit. Or when I’d entered a neighborhood bake-off when I was nine, creating a cherry pie so sour Jared spit it out in front of me.
My parents always had this uncanny sense of seeing what I couldn’t. They understood my potential better than me and knew where I should place it, so following their guidance was easy.
Following William, however, is not that simple.
“Easy for you to say.” I stumble, then right myself. “You were born into this.”
