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

Chapter 19

Aurora

Eight weeks later

Gasping for breath, Maxime and I hold the final position of the cha-cha-cha. His warmth radiates against my belly as we lock eyes, and I struggle to maintain my composure. We've been secretly training for eight weeks as a couple, yet we still haven't mastered the art of acting professionally. It would have been better if we had made more effort because today, we have an audience.

The last notes of the music fade away, and applause erupts immediately. Madame Durand looks happier than ever. "Wonderful," she exclaims.

Even David Grant, the dance academy's artistic director, nods in approval. Maxime walks over to them, and though I already miss his proximity, I know it's the right thing to do. I head toward the mirrored wall, grab my towel from the training bag, and wipe the beads of sweat from my forehead.

"She's making fantastic progress," David says to his colleagues, his words resonating in the empty room.

"And you refused to believe it for so long," Maxime responds, sounding amused.

I glance over at the three of them and notice David patting Maxime on the upper arm in a friendly manner. His hand rests exactly where I clutched my fingers tightly last night, accompanied by intense moans.

Oh dear... I probably shouldn't dwell on that right now.

"Absolutely. I take it all back," David replies with a rather peculiar expression on his face.

Suddenly, I'm alarmed. What does that mean?

However, Maxime appears unfazed. Only his slightly drawn-out exhale tells me he might be relieved. Now he turns to face me.

"That's it for today, Aurora. See you the day after tomorrow for the next training session." He gives me a brief glance and then turns away again.

He plays his role perfectly. Secretly grinning inside, I drape the towel around my neck and grab my water bottle. "All right, see you then," I reply casually, even enjoying a bit of amusement at misleading the others.

I exit the room with a spring in my step. Only when they can no longer see my face do I allow the lovesick grin I've held back throughout the entire hour.

"Hey."

Who was that?

To be safe, I suppress the grin and look around. It doesn't take long for me to spot Sky, casually leaning against the white-painted wall, exuding the aura of a model. Her red curls cascade gracefully over her shoulders, forming an incredible contrast to the stylish azure autumn jacket she's wearing.

I stroll up to her. "You were waiting for me, weren't you?" I inquire with a playful smile.

She shrugs, a hint of sadness in her expression. "What else can I do?" she responds.

Instantly, guilt washes over me. Over the past few weeks, we haven't spent much time together. That's mainly because I've been with Maxime every free moment.

"It's great that you're here," I say, linking my arm with hers and leading her down the hallway toward the changing rooms. My dance shoes make a muted clacking sound on the stone floor. "You're the best friend anyone could have, you know that?"

A reddish hue tints her cheeks. "Well, someone has to take care of our friendship," she replies.

"The part-time job at the café and the training take up so much time," I say remorsefully.

Though that's not entirely untrue, I'm omitting the most crucial part. The knowledge gnaws at me, yet I understand it's necessary.

Thankfully, we've reached our destination. The familiar blend of deodorant, damp fabric, and hairspray greets us as we enter the changing room. Three third-year students are getting ready for their training. One of them eyes me rather conspicuously as I head to my locker on the left side of the fully tiled room and open it.

My mother's smiling face looks back at me from the inside of the door.

"Well, I think you're definitely training too much," Sky comments, settling onto the narrow wooden bench beside me. "I mean, you can't spend half the night at the gym when you've already danced all day and rocked the evening shift at the café."

Avoiding eye contact, I hastily grab my shower gel and a fresh towel. "There's no other way. The championship is too important," I say, feeling a knot forming in my stomach, which only grows larger as images of that specific gym flash through my mind.

Maxime's bed.

Both of us.

Naked.

Sweating.

Groaning.

Driven by emotion, I slam the locker door shut far too forcefully. Although the noise causes the others to chatter excitedly among themselves, at least it helps to momentarily halt my thoughts.

"If you keep going like this, your body will revolt soon," Sky admonishes, and her concern only makes things worse. She worries about me while I continue to deceive her.

I sit beside her on the bench, resting my head against the lockers. "What do you say we take the rest of the day off together?" I suggest.

Even as I utter the words, my heart feels a little heavier. Maxime and I had plans to go to a dinner in the dark tonight. The plan was to arrive late so the other participants wouldn't see us. We could have shared a public meal without the risk of being discovered. It would have been thrilling. Mysterious and exhilarating. We could have created yet another new memory just for ourselves.

"We could go to the wellness center." Sky's eyes light up with enthusiasm. "I'll treat you."

Oh God, that's way too kind of her. My guilt no longer gnaws at me; it engulfs me. Desperate, I turn my gaze to the small window overlooking the neighboring building.

"I don't want to hear any objections, miss," she playfully imitates the tone of a governess so perfectly that I immediately wonder if she grew up with one. "Off to the shower with you while I book a few treatments for us."

I struggle to push against my guilt and attempt to muster a smile.

You're not a bad friend, Aurora. Just a good partner for Maxime. That's all.

"Thank you, Sky, you're the best! I'll be right back," I say as carefree as I can manage.

My inner turmoil, torn between Sky and Maxime, accompanies me into the shower, and not for the first time, my doubts threaten to overwhelm me.

How will we manage to keep our love hidden for three long years? In two months, I'll surely have an ulcer the size of a fist.

When I return to the changing room wrapped in a towel, the other students have vanished. Sky is on the phone.

"Yes, exactly. Two sessions of hot stone massage, please." She nods contentedly, strolling around the room and pausing at the window. "Are there any available slots for the herbal bath, by any chance?"

She seems in her element. This is my chance to quickly send a message to Maxime. I retrieve my phone from the locker and unlock the screen, glancing over to Sky for safety. Unchanged, she stands by the window with her back turned to me, currently inquiring about foot massages.

Hastily, I open a message. I have to cancel for tonight. I'll explain everything tomorrow. I pause and read the words. This will be the first evening in a long time that we won't see each other. An achingly wistful sigh escapes my lips on its own. I love you , I type last, because I can't help it.

"Who is M?" Sky is suddenly right next to me, peering at my phone with a mischievous grin.

She was just at the window. How could she come over to me so quickly?

"Nobody," I reply hastily, turning away from her to shield her from spying and send the message. My entire face feels like it's on fire as I pocket the phone.

" I love you doesn't sound like nobody," she observes, scrutinizing me like a gossip reporter interviewing a C-list celebrity. "Come on, who is this M?"

Silently, I shake my head. I wish I had a clever response, but I can't come up with one for the life of me.

"Nobody," I repeat.

Sky pouts. "And here I thought we were friends."

"We are!" My God, can't she see the pleading in my face? "I'll tell you. Soon." Whatever I'll end up telling her, it can't be the truth. That's all I know for now.

Her reaction consists of a reluctant grunt. "Fine. But then I want to hear every detail, okay?"

Internally, I breathe a sigh of relief. At least for today, the topic is off the table.

"We'll see," I say with a wink as I retrieve my jeans from the locker.

She seems content with the answer, and no further questions come up while I finish getting dressed. But as I grab my handbag and lock the locker, she wears a knowing expression.

With her arms crossed, she blocks the door to the hallway. "Does M stand for gym, yoga, or spinning?"

For all three.

I raise an eyebrow. "We have to go, or we'll miss the treatments."

With a feigned sigh, she turns around. "Don't think you can escape me," she retorts, leaving the room ahead of me.

Tense, I close the door behind me. "The thought would never have occurred to me."