“Jonathon is nothing like Jack.”
“But what if one morning he wakes up and wants someone better? Someone younger and prettier? I know in my heart that Jonathon is not Jack, but it’s hard, Amelia. I was ready to do this, but then Jack showed up and turned my world upside down. He put those doubts I have about myself right back into my head and I…I…”
Tears fell from my eyes as I wrestled to speak clearly. “I can’t get them out. All I hear is his voice, and then there are the people who keep remarking about the age difference. I thought I was strong enough to ignore it. Maybe I’m not as strong as I thought I was.”
“That is bullshit. You’re one of the strongest, most confident women I’ve ever known.”
“You have to say that, you’re my sister.”
Amelia grinned. “Waylynn, you’ve got to get out of your own damn head. What do you want in life?”
“To be happy.”
“What makes you happy?”
I didn’t have to think about my answer. “Dancing.”
“When was the last time you danced?”
I looked past her and out the window. “Over a year ago.”
“Then let’s go dancing!”
With a chuckle, I shook my head. “We can’t. The floors aren’t finished in the dance studio.”
Amelia reached for my hand. “I’m pretty sure we can find somewhere. Leave it to me.”
* * *
I stared out the window, watching everything pass by. Amelia and Corina talked away in the front seat while I tuned them out.
“It’s a shame Paxton couldn’t come,” Corina said, looking back at me. I nodded.
“Did you need anything before we get there?” Amelia asked.
“No, I have everything in my bag.”
I placed my hand over my lower stomach. I wasn’t sure if I was nervous or if I was feeling cramps. The feeling had been coming more and more over the last few weeks. It had to be nerves. Everything with the dance studio and Jonathon…I was worrying myself sick.
“I can’t wait to see you dance, Waylynn!” Corina said as she turned and flashed a perky little smile. I looked back out the window.
I had no idea where Amelia was taking me. Something about a friend of a friend who owned a dance studio in San Antonio.
My phone buzzed in my hand again, an incoming call.
Jonathon.
I needed to apologize, but I wanted to do it when my head was clear. Right now it was anything but clear. I sent the call to voicemail.
“We’re here!”
Amelia pulled up to a mansion of a house.
“This is it?” I asked.
“Yep. Wait until you see his dance studio.”
“His?” I asked, grabbing my bag and making my way up the steps to the giant wood door. The house looked like it belonged in a historical movie. We didn’t even make it all the way before the door opened and a young man stepped outside.
“Amelia!”
“Frank! Oh, my gosh, it’s so good to see you. This is my sister-in-law, Corina.”
“Nice to meet you, and what a lovely name.”
Corina smiled. “The pleasure is mine, and thank you.”
He turned his attention on me. “This must be your sister, Waylynn. My God woman, you are a beauty times ten.”
I felt a blush rise to my cheeks. “Thank you for the compliment.”
He looked me up and down, then sighed. “Dance floor. Stat. Follow me.”
Before I knew it, I was sitting on a pink, fabric-lined bench in the middle of a dressing room. Opening my bag, I looked down at my pointe shoes. Pulling them out, I ran my finger along the darn work and shook my head. I had a love-hate relationship with my shoes. I knew the pain I was about to experience, especially since I hadn’t danced in so long.
Slipping on my toe pads, I put on the shoes. I laced each one up, tied them, and tucked the knot under the ribbon.
Taking a deep breath, I stood. The knock on the door caused me to jump.
“Waylynn, how are you doing?”
“Come in, Frank.”
He grinned as he looked at my shoes. “How long has it been since you’ve had those on?”
“Long enough to know I’m going to be feeling every step and flex of my feet.”
Laughing, he reached a hand out. “Come on. Let’s go get our dance on.”
As we walked down the hall, my heart started to race with that familiar excitement.
The moment he opened the door, I sighed. It felt like home.
“What’s your training in?” Frank asked.
“Classical and contemporary, mostly.”
“Shall we?”
The music started, and it was like I had never stopped dancing at all. Everything came back to me. Each elevation…jetés, entrechat, cabriole. The way my body glided across the floor and flew through the air. This was what made me happy. This is what filled the void.
And Jonathon…
Frank and I danced for a bit before I finally had to stop. Not only was I in pain, but I was exhausted. At the same time, I felt like a completely new woman.