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For the first moment since the bus pulled up to this surreal ghost town and we had to sign a foot-high stack of nondisclosure forms, joy rolls through me. I hadn’t realized just how unhappy I was until the unfamiliar feeling of my lips raised in a wide smile sneaks up on me.
I’m happy!
The idea of designing and sewing something thrills me. Truth be told, I’m annoyed at myself for asking for his friends’ help. The idea of sitting shoulder to furry shoulder with handsome Ty, feeling busy rather than scared of him, is filling me with excitement.
An image invades my thoughts. I picture us sewing side by side, getting to the end of a seam at the same time, looking at each other, and then abandoning our tasks to lean in and kiss each other. To erase that picture from my mind, I ask, “What do you say? You up for the challenge?”
He tips his head in question. If I didn’t know better, I would think he accidentally saw the same picture I did.three
“How could I refuse? It’s a generous offer.”
We sit together for the next two hours, watching Bollywood videos and discussing the choreography, although goodness knows, I know less than a thimbleful about such things. By quitting time, I have some amazing designs teed up in my imagination.
“I’m going to work up some sketches this evening, Ty. By the time you see me tomorrow morning, I’ll have some rough drafts for you.”
He shakes his head, a smile on those foreign, beautiful, kissable lips. “I never dreamed things would end up this well. This is going to be spectacular.”
“Just one question…” I’ve been wanting to ask this all afternoon. Although it feels intrusive, I need to ask. Depending on his answer, I might have even more work to do.
“All these vids have at least one woman in them. What are you going to do about that?”
He pauses, stopping all movement as if he’s been hit by a paralyzing ray gun.
“I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Don’t worry, the odds are good that at least one of these women was in dance squad in high school. I’ll help you find a volunteer.”
I flash him a wide smile, though I’m a bit sad that the expression feels so foreign on my face.
Chapter Eleven
Tyler
I never dreamed Olivia would offer to design and help us sew the costumes. Instead of imitating what I’ve seen on the videos, my mind flies with other, even more colorful and creative ideas. When I pitch them to Olivia, she smiles with excitement, nodding, and begins sketching on her pad before we even leave for dinner.
She joins me in the coed section of the dining room and quietly approaches all the women one at a time, enquiring about their dance experience. Luckily, Lucy not only took jazz and hip hop for years as a child, but seems enthused about the chance to dance with us.
She’s a tiny thing, the shortest of all the women. It will be interesting to dance with her after spending the last week practicing next to big males like Brock and Warren.
“Where are you going to practice?” Olivia asks.
Her question catches me off guard, but she’s right. We’ve been practicing in the males’ lounge that leads to the males’ dorm. Women aren’t allowed through that doorway. Likewise, we can’t rehearse in the women’s lounge.
The coed lounge which connects the male and female lounges would be very public. By the date of the performance, everyone on the property would have already watched our act. What fun would that be?
“You could practice at Mane Street Fashions,” Olivia says with a shrug. “The round racks aren’t set to arrive for weeks. The space is still empty. I could order mirrors for the long wall on the east side. Would that work?”
“That’s very generous, Olivia.” I turn to Lucy and ask, “Would you feel comfortable there?”
It’s not in the main facility. After hours it will be deserted except for us. Even though guards will be watching via cameras, she might not feel safe surrounded by so many large males.
Lucy’s gaze darts to Olivia. She seems to be silently asking if Olivia will be there.
“I’ve got plenty to do there.” Olivia grants the other woman a big smile. “I’ll keep you company.”
I’ve spent the three years since my liberation relegating my enforced military training to ancient history. Now that I’m free, I’ve convinced myself I’m a good male.
Except for right this moment.
