I schooled my expression so that the hopefuls looking in through the window wouldn’t see the excitement thrumming through my body like an electric current.
“Thank you, sir. I won’t let you down. I promise.”
“Sergei,” he said stiffly. “MasterSergei. We’ll see if we can spin hay into gold,” he glanced down at my paperwork, “Mr. Bell.”
“Yes, sir. I mean, Master Sergei. Thank you so much for this—”
“Next!”
I made a clumsy little bow and exited the room in a hot flush. I didn’t think I’d breathed during my entire audition, and now I was on the verge of hyperventilating. Several dancers congratulated me on my performance. The young man heading in after me grumbled about having to “follow that,” and Bruno whispered softly while sneaking a peek at you, “Is that him?”
“Yes.” I smiled, embarrassed as hell. I wanted to get away from their judgmental stares and talk to you in private, so I dragged you down a hallway where I’d spotted a vending machine earlier in the day. When I asked you what kind of candy bar you wanted, you told me it was impossible to choose because of all the varieties.
“Which one isyourfavorite?” you asked, staring at me in wonder. I couldn’t stop smiling. I hadn’t told you what Sergei had hinted at. I was afraid to, like that might jinx it, so I decided to wait until later when I knew for sure it was real.
“Snickers. Because it has everything—chocolate, caramel, and peanuts, which helps me trick myself into thinking I’m eating healthy.”
“Well, I trust your judgment on American confections. Give me one of these Snickers candy bars.”
You said it as though it were some expensive, rare delicacy and not just regular old junk food. But you did enjoy that bag of Cheetos and the Kool-Aid. After that, you kept asking me to describe what the different flavors of Kool-Aid tasted like. You couldn’t believe it was just flavored sugar water and not fruit nectar or whatever the hell you said you’d drank back when you had a body.
I dropped my coins into the slot and collected two Snickers bars from the bottom. Then I led you outside the building, far away from the cluster of smokers. There, I devoured mine in three bites while you savored yours. I couldn’t help it—I was hungryallthe time—but your manners, even while eating a candy bar, made me feel like a bum.
“Well, what do you think?” I asked when you were mostly finished.
“It has a very sticky consistency.”
“That’s the caramel.”
“And I wonder about the quality of this chocolate. It’s rather cloying. But the nuts give it a good crunch. Overall, very satisfactory.”
“Have you ever eaten a candy bar before?”
You shook your head slowly. “I’ve tasted chocolate, but nothing like this.”
I was shocked. How many other foods had you not tried?
“What’s your favorite food?” I asked. You licked your lips slowly and glanced up like you’d been caught shoplifting. I could guess at what you were thinking. You cleared your throat, probably relieved I wasn’t asking you for your favorite blood type.
“Well, I suppose my favorite American dish would have to be a cheeseburger and French fries. With the option of a root beer float.”
“Good choice,” I said. “That’s a go-to for me when I cheat.”
“Cheat on eating?”
“Yeah, I can’t eat like that every day, but I know a place that makes really good burgers. I’ll take you there sometime.”
Your face clouded over, and you frowned. What did I say?
“Your performance today was outstanding,” you said cautiously. “The best I’ve ever seen you dance it.”
“Thanks, Henri.” My chest puffed with pride, but your tone… I eyed you with suspicion. “Don’t even think about trying to dump me now.”
Your frown deepened. “Orlando, you’re on the right path, and there seems to be no imminent threat of danger. You don’t need a babysitter.”
It made me so mad when you dismissed me like that. I’d told you already, you were myboyfriend. I’d practically begged you to acknowledge it, but you wouldn’t.
“First off, you’re not my babysitter, you’re my demon boyfriend, and second, I know you’re into me, so why are you always pushing me away?”
