The Dance We Remember (Love and Other Dreams #4)

Chapter 11

Aurora

Six weeks later

Clutching the phone tightly to my ear, I set the suitcase down on the paved courtyard of the modern apartment building and let my gaze wander over the elegant facade with its French windows. The white wooden mullions in the glass panes glow in the bright July light.

This is where I'll be living from now on.

Unbelievable.

Sky and I have stayed in touch since the audition. She was accepted as well, and her parents rented an apartment with an extra room for me.

She was my savior because after the immense expenses for my mother's treatment, money is extremely tight at home. I'll have to get by with a part-time job now.

"I'm here," I whisper with awe into the phone, finding it hard to believe this is really happening.

From now on, I'll be trained at the most innovative dance academy in Europe. And beyond that, I'll finally see the man again who hasn't left my mind since the audition even though we've only spoken once.

It's crazy, but it's true.

Since the academy's acceptance letter arrived in the mailbox five weeks ago, I've been practicing every day. I not only perfected my dancing but also improved my already good English skills with Sky's help. Now, I'll have no problem understanding every technical term at the school. I've even learned a bit of French.

"A new life begins," my brother says on the other end of the line. Suddenly, applause breaks out. It must be coming from my sisters, Camilla and Alessia, who are listening to our conversation via speakerphone.

It's not just a new life for me; it's a new life for all of us. Alessia is about to attend college in Rome, Camilla is moving in with Pietro. And Vico is leaving our hometown, Collina da sogno, without even knowing where he wants to go. It feels like our family is falling apart after Mother's death, but we all have to move forward.

"A new life," I repeat with sentimental feelings, twirling around in a circle. The Paris city center passes by, and the tip of the Eiffel Tower looms in the distance against the radiant blue sky. "Well, I better go in." I reach for my suitcase.

"Show them what you're made of," Vico says.

"We'll come visit you soon," Alessia calls out in the background.

"That would be great." I'm already looking forward to having my siblings with me again.

But for now, I'm filled with excitement to see Sky, so I bid them a quick farewell, tuck the phone into my handbag, and head inside.

A few minutes later, I stand before the door with the elegantly curved number five.

Music drifts from inside, so Sky is home. I press the doorbell, and it opens to reveal my roommate, dancing wildly through a hallway more spacious than the living room at my parents' estate.

The floor shines, vying for brilliance with the mirrors adorning the walls. Airy cream-colored curtains, held together by golden cords, hang at the windows.

Wow.

We embrace each other warmly in greeting, and then she leads me, mouth agape, into a living room as large as a ballroom. There, she dances over to the stereo and lowers the volume. "You're finally here!"

I let my handbag slide onto the elegant herringbone parquet floor and release my grip on the suitcase. "This place is an absolute dream."

She waves it off modestly and takes a step back. "Shall I help you unpack?"

Without waiting for my answer, she reaches for my suitcase and carries it into the room, where she's put up a sign with my name on the door.

I enter the room and cover my mouth with my hands. "This is too much," I whisper, my eyes fixed in disbelief on the oversized window. A window seat is built into the lower part. Colorful cushions are arranged invitingly, urging me to make myself comfortable.

Once again, Sky acts as if this is nothing out of the ordinary. "Over here is your wardrobe." She points at an alcove.

I walk over and peek inside. "No. Way."

Even during the audition week, I could tell from her fashionable outfits and accessories that her parents were probably well-off. But this is just on another level.

She laughs amusedly and then shows me my bathroom. We return to the room and start unpacking. More than once, I consider asking her about her obvious wealth, but every time I've attempted to learn more about her family, she's evaded the topic. The only thing I know is that they live in Sweden. Nothing else. It seems to make her uncomfortable, so we'd rather chat about the exciting times that lie ahead for us. Galas, shows, television appearances, competitions—we're being trained for it all. Where will we end up in the end?

Half an hour later, my clothes are neatly stowed in the walk-in closet, and we can turn our attention to decorating the bare wall behind my bed. I've already attached the golden cord with the clothespins. Now, with awe, I pull out the metal box from my suitcase, where I've collected the greatest treasures of my life.

"What's that?" Sky leans curiously over the box.

I open the clasps and lift the lid. "Photos." It's actually so much more than that, but I can't put the significance of my treasure into words.

Carefully, I take the first one. It shows me in the garden behind our estate in Tuscany when I was five years old. I'm dancing joyfully with my mother. We have flowers in our hair, and the tall meadow behind us is dotted with red and blue.

As if Sky senses that it's better not to say anything, she watches as I gently run my index finger over the edge of the picture, then attach it to the cord with a white clothespin.

Numerous memories follow, and I feel more at home with each additional photo adorning the wall next to the bed.

Finally, I hang a picture of my very first competition. Enzo and I danced a fiery tango. Me in a bright red dress with my hair pulled back tightly, him with a half-open black shirt and wide pants.

"Too bad he didn't make it," Sky says.

I react with a nod. The guilt seizes me again. Just like everything else I felt during the audition week. Especially what Maxime triggered in me. It's unchanged within me. I haven't taken a single dance step without imagining he was by my side. And at night, I've dreamed of him.

Dreams of getting to know each other better. Dreams of dancing together. Dreams of him holding me close as I rest my head on his shoulder, hearing his heart beat. And dreams of finally lifting my chin and kissing him with a passion I've never felt for any other man before.

A sigh escapes my lips.

I can't wait to see him. Not just to find out if he'll evoke those feelings in me again but also because I desperately need an answer to one question.

Why did he dance the mambo with me?

I've endured six agonizing weeks of waiting, and now I need to know. Of course, I could ask him during our first dance class, but I'd much rather be alone with him when I do.

To see what happens.

With me.

With him.

With us.

It may be naive, but I still hope he's doing his endurance training at Parc des Buttes-Chaumont today.

I have to try. Once my suitcase is empty, I close it before placing it in the corner of the closet.

"I'm going to stretch my legs a bit," I say hastily as I rush to the door. "I'll be back in two hours at the latest, and then I'll cook spaghetti for us," I add quickly before Sky gets the idea to come along.

It would be nice to chat with her, but for what I have in mind, it's better to be alone.

"Okay," she says, raising her hand in surprise. "See you later."

I wave back and slip out the door. My heart beats so fast after just a few steps as if I've just finished a hundred-yard sprint, and it doesn't change until I arrive at the park. I immediately scan the numerous visitors around me. I wander along all the paths, passing the ponds, the bridges, and the wild, overgrown trellises, which exude the scent of lush greenery. I comb through every corner of the park, but I can't find him.

It's just past six in the evening.

Will he still come? Does he run every day? And if he does, does his route always lead him to this park?

After more than an hour of walking through the greenery, I sink down on a swing at one of the playgrounds. Two boys next to me are baking sand cakes and giggling. But no matter how adorable they are, my attention is solely on the people in the park.

Because I won't give up hope. He simply has to come.