Page 48 of With You

“It was really nice,” I tell them. “The routine has a kiss at the end so I said we should get it over and done with. I was expecting him to just make it quick, but he kissed my cheeks, the corner of my mouth, all over my face before he even touched my lips.”

“That’s so romantic,” Zena says, her grip tightening around me as she shakes me, some form of cuteness aggression taking over before she lets go.

“Mine and Damien’s first kiss was nothing like that,” Evie laments.

She’s never actually told us how far her fake relationship with Damien has gone, and I assumed they hadn’t even kissed, but I guess not.

“I want that story later,” Zena tells her, taking the words right out of my mouth. “Amelie, are you happy?”

It’s not the question I expect, but the answer comes instantly.

“I am,” I confess. “The way I feel when I dance with him, I can’t even describe it. Every moment we’re together, I just feel light, like I don’t have to worry about anything, even the showcase.”

Evie and Zena share a look, both of them smiling at me.

“Then let yourself be happy,” Evie says. “You’re both insanely dedicated to ballet. I don’t think being together will distract either of you. If this is what you want, and I think it is, then let yourself enjoy it.”

Zena nods in agreement, taking my hand in hers again and squeezing our fingers together. I’m not sure whether this will be a huge mistake I’ll regret later, or one of the best decisions I ever make. Regardless, I know I have my girls by my side, whatever happens.

Chapter 19

River

It’s been over twenty minutes since Amelie and Zena disappeared into the bathroom. Long enough that Layth has taken Amelie’s seat at our table while he waits for Zena to come back.

“I didn’t tell her,” Layth says, fiddling with the cutlery and lining it up perfectly next to the charger plate.

“You would have,” I sigh, taking a sip of water. “Nothing we can do about it now, she’s telling Zena anyway, and probably Evie, too.”

“Do you want them to know?” He asks, surprisingly talkative tonight.

“I don’t care who knows. Just would have been nice to do it on our own terms, I guess, once we’d figured out what we’re even doing.”

“So, you’re not together?”

“I think this is the most questions you’ve ever asked me in our entire friendship,” I joke, and he just shrugs in response. “We are, but we aren’t. It’s a little complicated right now.”

“Do you like her?”

“Of course I do.” I’ve never been more sure of anything.

“Then what’s complicated?”

“Are you really asking me this as if you’re not in love with the princess but doing nothing about it?”

He goes silent, his stoic face shifting for a second as a fleeting emotion passes over it.

“It’s different for me and Zena,” is all he says, giving no further explanation before he stands and retreats to his own table.

“Where’s Amelie?” Mom asks, and I’m wondering the same thing.

She’s been gone for so long now. I’m not sure how much detail she’s giving the girls, whether she’s telling them all about our date in Milan, or our practice kisses that turned into so much more. I hope she hasn’t said too much. Those moments together in the studio feel sacred, when we’re in our own world with no outside noise to bother us.

“She’s with her friend,” I tell her, giving as short an explanation as I can.

An announcement comes over the speakers that the auction will start soon, and my leg bounces restlessly under the table as I look toward the bathroom again. A few seconds later, Amelie and Zena appear, hands joined together as they walk through the hall. They part as they get closer to the tables, Zena going toward Layth while Amelie comes to me.

She drops into the seat next to mine, her hand finding mine under the table as soon as she’s sat.