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But what the hell was I going to do without her?
I sat with that thought through the rest of the performances, until finally, we all got to our feet for a much-deserved standing ovation. Bethany’s eyes met mine as she took her bow. She smiled, just for me.
“I’ve never seen her dance like that,” Ethan said as we gathered our coats and prepared to meet Bethany backstage.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“I mean, when I watch her dance in New York, she’s on this stage in the most incredible opera house, and her costume is insane. Not something thrown together at the last minute. By the time she performs, she’s been practicing ten hours a day forweeks.”
“So normally she’s even better than this?” It was hard for me to imagine.
“No, the opposite.” He shook his head. “I always thought her performances were perfect. But this was so much more. It was like she put everything she had into it. Even though it was just for a small-town community center, not kings and billionaires. She gave iteverything.”
“She’s danced for kings? Seriously?”
“Yeah. Insane, right?”
It was insane.Iwas insane, thinking she might actually stay here. No way could she give this up.
“Did you ever look up the cost of plane tickets to New York?” I asked, all casual. “I know you prefer the bus, but I bet there are frequent flyer miles if you make the trip often enough.”
Ethan shrugged. “New York is cool, but Bethany doesn’t really have all that much free time. Once a year works for us.”
Well, great for them. But once a year wasn’t going to work for me.
I made it out of the theater while the rest of our group was still getting their outerwear together. I headed down the hallway, where the cast had used the various classrooms as changing rooms. There were parents and kids everywhere, but I spotted Bethany almost immediately. It was like she was a magnet, pulling me to her.
And then she saw me, too. Her eyes lit up and a huge smile spread across her face like the sun rising over the mountains. All I could think of was getting her in my arms,now.
She must have felt the same way, because she ran straight for me.
Chapter 23
Bethany
Ilovethissomuch.
That was the thought that had popped into my head as I watched the children perform the Waltz of the Snowflakes.
I had thought it again as I performed the role of Sugar Plum, dancing for the first time in months with joy and gratitude for what my body was capable of.
And I thought it now, as my gaze locked with Luke’s.
I love him so much.
Before I knew what I was doing, my feet were taking me to him at a sprint. I didn’t care that we were surrounded by kids and families. All I saw was him. I launched myself into his arms and, just like I knew he always would, he caught me.
He laughed as our bodies collided. His arms banded around my waist and he spun us around a few times, me clinging to his neck, before he gently lowered me back to the ground. His thumb stroked my jawline as he stared down at me.
“You were amazing up there,” he said softly. “Youareamazing. Bethany, I—” He broke off, shaking his head. “It was a privilege to watch you dance.”
The way he was looking at me, like I had hung the moon instead of performed a Christmas dance in a poofy skirt, made a lump form in my throat. Instead of answering him, I kissed him. I poured everything I had into that kiss, all the hunger and love and hope. Everything had become crystal clear for me on that stage, and now that I knew what I wanted, I needed to share that with him.
Everything melted away as we tangled together. The kids could have performed Waltz of the Snowflakes right there in the hallway and I wouldn’t have noticed.
“Come over tonight?” he asked when we pulled apart.
I nodded. “I have to go home first. My mom baked a pie and…there are a few things we need to talk about.”
