My footsteps falter, jerking him to a stop next to me. I'm shocked by the thought of him in the audience. The number of times I would lie awake at night hoping that one day he would watch my show. To come for me. It was a wish I never thought would come true. We weren’t exactly on the best of terms when I left for Paris, so I knew it would never happen. Unless…
“You came for me?” I ask, scared that I have thought way too much about it.
“Yes.” He says with a weak smile. “But, after I saw you dance, I couldn’t do it. The last thing I ever wanted to do is spoil your dream. You were perfect up there on that big stage, doing exactly what you were born to do. I could never take that from you.”
“Max,” I say breathlessly. “My dream never meant anything without you living it with me.”
A lone tear escapes the corner of my eye. I can’t believe he was there. Hecamefor me, and I never even knew it.
“Sugarplum,” he says softly as he brushes my cheek. “You left so fast, I thought you didn’t want me. I waited for you, waited for a phone call, a text, God, even a letter by carrier pigeon. Then after a few months, I couldn’t wait any longer. I sat at the back of the theatre every night for almost a week, but each time the curtains went down, I left. I knew that if I spoke to you, I wouldn’t be able to let you go.”
I can physically feel the pain in his words as if it were my own. The pain I caused both of us.
“Max. I am so, so sorry.” I say, unable to meet his gaze. “I don’t know what to say.”
His fingers thread through the hair at the nape of my neck, angling my head so I can look at him.
“Don’t be sorry. I understand why you did it. I just wish you’d have given us more time.”
“Me too,” I whisper.
He leans towards me, brushing his lips softly against mine as he whispers, “But baby, our time starts now. No more running from me, you understand? We’re in this together. You and me.”
“You and me,” I repeat, a small smile gracing my lips before he takes mine.
This isn’t the kind of kiss we have had before. It is all-consuming. It’s love and loss all rolled into one. I’m so lost in him, I forget where we are. That is, until a group of teenage girls start whooping and clapping. I pull away, shaking my head and laughing at the ridiculousness of us. The girls are all dressed up as if they’ve been to the theatre too and are all looking at us in awe.
Max is smiling just as brightly as he pulls me into his side. “Let’s get back to the hotel so I can show you what you’ve really been missing.”
