Page 143 of Dancing in the Dark

I straighten out and look my old boss in the eye, and because I’m less patient than a five-year-old, I unlock my phone and check my texts.

None from Charlie.

“He said they’re moving as fast as they can.” Uncharacteristically affectionate, she squeezes my forearm, then she takes a single step back and looks me up and down. “This is a… fashion statement.”

“Shut up.” I drop my hands and try not to focus on how ridiculously exposed I feel in a leotard and sheer pink skirt. Pointe shoes. Hair tied up.

No Charlie.

Aubree and Tim are here. Minka. Raquel. Doctor Campbell. Doctor Patten. Detective Banks and Officer Clay. Even Alfred, whose name is actually Steve. And Steve, whose name is also Steve. And Harrison, whose entire existence centers on keeping Minka safe.

Everyone is here… almost.

“She’ll be heartbroken if he doesn’t get here soon. I talked her into this.” I groan. “She’s terrified of dancing in front of a crowd, but I convinced her dancing up here wasn’t the same.”

“Fifi said we’re not allowed to lean over the edge,” Mia chirps. “And that even if we see someone we know all the way down there on the sidewalk, we’re not allowed to shout their names.”

“I think those are lame rules,” Cato chuckles. “Why does Fifi ban all the fun things?”

Minka rolls her eyes. “He’s keeping her occupied, which will make the wait so much easier for her.”

But what about me? What about my wait?

“He could’ve texted.” I swallow my disappointed sigh. “It’s not that diffic⁠—”

“If he’s at the tail end of closing a case, he has to follow it through.” Aubree wanders closer and comes to a stop on Minka’s left. “It’s gonna be okay, though. I promise.”

I scoff and swallow my bitter retort about making promises she couldn’t possibly keep. “Maybe we should start soon? Let her dance before her nerves get the better of her and destroy her confidence.”

“Her nerves?” Aubree smirks. “Or yours?”

“Shut up.” I unlock my phone again and navigate to my texts.

Me:

We need you here, Charlie.

Hitting send, I glance over my shoulder and control myself before I screech at Cato for allowing Mia to lean so far into the abyss. He holds her tight, his grip absolute. But dammit, if he sneezes and lets her go, she’ll fall fifteen floors.

Me:

I’m not mad. But remember how we talked about open communication and accountability? It would be really cool if you could reply to my messages.

“Daddy!” Mia hoots enthusiastically. “It’s Daddy! Fifi!” She twists in Cato’s arms and points straight over the side of the building. “It’s Daddy!”

I stride across our makeshift stage and peek over the edge to find two grown men running along the street like their asses are on fire. They’re a blur, long legs eating up the sidewalk.

“See?” Aubree teases. “What did I say?”

Charlie:

on m way

2 mintes

lv you. Dont b mad

“Is he texting and running?” Minka hovers on my other side, two deep dimples flashing in her cheeks. “He’s gonna be really sad when he runs face-first into a pole and shatters his nose.”