Page 50 of Dancing on Air

Cora didn’t know how Max was remaining calm. His next words were almost a whisper.

“As I’ve pointed out once, Mother, my love life is none of your business. Just like I stay out of yours and Dads.” He turned towards her, took her hand gently, helped her up, and started walking out.

“I know about your mother,” his mother said to her.

Cora tensed but then Max threw over his shoulder, “The entire world does, Mother. And no one cares.”

“I’m sorry,” Cora said when they were outside.

“For?” Max asked.

“If I hadn’t come…” She dropped off.

Max wrapped his arms around her. “She would have found something else to scratch out about.” He kissed her on the top of her head. “I’m sorry for wasting your morning.” He motioned to where the sun was lighting the skyline.

She held onto him. “It won’t be wasted if we grab some coffee and maybe a light breakfast.”

“Deal.” He took her hand and started walking. “Where to?”

She loved that he was so easygoing. She could tell he was upset about his mother’s words and concerned about his father.

Now, however, he was smiling and appeared to be truly enjoying his time with her.

They walked for a dozen or more blocks before finding a small café. Sitting outside at the table, they watched the city wake up while sipping their coffee and enjoying a yogurt and fruit for her and a massive blueberry muffin for Max.

She couldn’t remember spending a more perfect morning before in her life. It dawned on her sometime during that brief meal that she had fallen in love with Max. The move had been so fluid that she hadn’t even known she’d taken the leap.

One minute she was just… head over heels for him, and the more she thought about it, the more she was completely convinced it was the best thing in the entire world.

Chapter Thirteen

Dress rehearsals were a bitch. The first few days were filled with busted seams, ripped material that was older than he was, and dancers tripping or falling over ill-fitting outfits or props.

Still, with his eye on the prize of spending a few nights away with Cora, he managed to get through it, mostly unscathed.

Since the night his father had his heartburn episode, his mother had left him alone. Any time she sent him a message, it was through Missy.

Apparently, his mother had unofficially disowned him.

What that meant, he hadn’t a clue.

The news of his dad’s health scare had been leaked, but his parents had already sent out an official statement about his health. They thanked everyone for their well wishes and concern and stated that Gerald was resting comfortably at home with family.

That last bit had bothered him for a hot minute. Then he decided to let it go along with the other bullshit his parents had done over the past decade or so.

He had other things to occupy his mind. Mainly, Cora. Every night after practice, he convinced her to return to his place. He’d even gotten her to spend a full night in his bed once.

They were on their very last night, the last half hour of dress rehearsals, when he spotted his mother waiting in the wings, watching.

He didn’t know how long she’d been there but by the looks of it, not very long.

“Evening, Mother,” he said when he made his way over to her.

“She’s really good,” his mother said, motioning to Cora. “I came here to force you to cut her and use her replacement.”

He tensed. There was no way in hell he’d ever do that. Ever.

“But?” he said, holding his breath.