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When the dance ended, the entire audience rose to its feet with a storm of applause. The company took its bows, and two of the dancers — the tall girl with dark curls who’d dished the dirt on Sonia’s dating life, and a redheaded, freckled guy — pushed Sonia forward.
The applause grew louder. Sonia looked impatient, but when a smile sneaked out, Brendan realized she was embarrassed by the attention. It was kind of cute. He’d figured nothing could embarrass Sonia.
As the dancers filed offstage, the audience surged outside. Brendan followed the now-familiar path to the stage door. Instead of standing in the shadows, he waited on the sidewalk, in the pool of light from the streetlamp, holding the lilies. Their enormous pink and white spotted petals fluttered in the breeze.
One by one, the dancers came out, hugging family and friends. Sonia was the last to emerge, flushed and smiling. As she glanced around, Brendan realized no one else had come for her. No family, no friends. Only him.
She shook hands with a few people who congratulated her, those deep brown eyes skating over Brendan but never settling. Finally, she wrapped up a conversation, and her gaze locked on his for an instant. His stomach lurched.
Turning on her heel, she headed toward the theater. As she opened the stage door, she tossed one more look at Brendan over her shoulder.
He didn’t know if it meant “follow me” or “I never want to see you again.”
But he thought of the closing number, all those dancers racing around the stage and never catching each other for long.
Sonia obviously liked to run. Hell, maybe she wanted to be chased.
Steeling himself, he headed to the stage door and flashed a big smile at the tall girl — Elena, he remembered — who was leaning against the wall by the door. Her hair was slicked back in a tight bun, and the humid air was beginning to pull out the curls.
“Sonia’s in there, right?” Brendan said in a friendly tone. “I’m just going in to say congrats. I’m a friend of the family.”
Elena returned his smile, but she looked confused. “Which family?”
“Her college roommate is getting married to my brother next weekend.” Brendan offered his dimples.
“Ohhhh. Diana! Of course.” Elena beamed at him. “I remember her from Yale. She’s a sweetie. So wait, you’re a twin? I’ve met Ian, and oh my God, you lookexactlyalike. I should have known right away. But people probably tell you that all the time.”
Brendan gave her a wink. “You’re the first. Great job tonight. I’ll look forward to seeing more shows next year.” He opened the stage door.
Elena bit her lip. “I don’t know if there will be any more shows.”
“There will be,” Brendan said lightly.
He remembered the tear slipping down Sonia’s cheek, which had left him speechless, and suddenly had the urge to swoop in and help her. To understand why this company meant so much to her. They both faced losing what mattered most to them, and if she knew he felt that way too, maybe she’d give him a chance.
Was he really thinking that? Sonia was the last person he’d confide his secrets to.
He nodded at Elena. “I’m sure the company will survive.”
“Well, thanks.” Elena gave his arm a squeeze. “I hope you’re right.”
Brendan felt her eyes on him as he entered the theater.
Carrying the bouquet, he walked down the backstage hallway, which was lined with dressing rooms. At the end of the hall was a closed door.
He knocked.
“Who is it?” Sonia’s voice was low and husky, sending a thrill down his spine.
“Brendan.”
The pause that followed seemed to last a century. “Come in.”
He couldn’t read her tone, but it was a start. Pushing open the door, he entered.
The dressing room was small, littered with makeup and dance accessories. Costumes hung from hooks, and bright lights surrounded the mirror.
Sonia sat alone at the dressing table. Her toned back faced him, crisscrossed by intricate straps. She still wore the costume from the final number, with its black, rope-like top and sleek leggings. In the mirror, he saw more straps across her chest, rising and falling.
