A Match Made In Fall

Chapter One

ISABELLA

Iconsider myself a quick learner. I’ve performed some of the most difficult and challenging moves including lifts, flips, and turns while in heels, wearing a heavy costume and even heavier makeup.

That has been my life for as long as I can remember.

So why am I having such a hard time using crutches? It’s madness.

If I’m being honest, the past few months of my life have been madness.

I’m still having nightmares about that unfortunate night, except in the dream I keep falling and falling into a pit of what am I going to do with my life?

questions. In real life I flew and then landed wrong, which resulted in snapping my Achilles.

Poor Miles, one of my co-dancers and dearest friends.

He told me his guilt was all consuming and that he hadn’t been able to eat or sleep since it all happened.

He tends to be overly dramatic, so I’m not sure if that’s true or not.

In his defense the injury was my fault. I forced him to try a move that we weren’t prepared for, and I pushed and pushed until I got my way.

In true Isabella fashion I tested the limits, but unfortunately, it didn’t end up in my favor.

I told him not to blame himself and I take full responsibility for that night.

And now in a wild twist of fate and bad luck, I’m no longer performing and recovering at my parent’s new home in North Carolina, which is a brand-new experience for all of us.

They’ve only been living here a few months, moving to be close to my brother, his wife, and their new baby.

Being grandparents has become my parents entire personalities.

It’s actually very sweet, and my nephew, Jude, is the most angelic child I’ve ever seen, so I get it.

It’s nice being close to my family again, but I can’t help wishing it had happened in the spring, after I finished my tour.

Joining Ballroom Dance America was a dream come true.

As a brand-new production, it brought together some of the most talented dancers from around the world, creating an experience unlike anything I’d ever been part of.

I had worked for years for an opportunity like this, and I’d hoped to see the entire journey through to the end of the season.

I’ve been working toward something like this for as long as I could remember.

I gave up a lot to make it happen, and I don’t regret any of it.

That hard work paid off when I was hired, and the same dream came to a crashing halt literally when I hit the floor.

One of the biggest issues I’ve faced since moving back in with my parents is I’m not used to resting, and cabin fever is starting to take over.

I’ve watched several seasons of Gossip Girl and more movies than I can count.

I can’t believe how many TV shows I’ve missed over the years.

The truth is that my life has been dance and dance only for as long as I can remember.

I glance down at my leg, also known as the reminder of how everything has changed so quickly.

It was just bad luck. I’ve watched similar situations happen to friends and co-workers, and it’s so devastating. The good news is I’m recovering nicely, so I will be able to dance again, just not anytime soon.

I can’t help but wonder if this injury was some sort of sign that I needed to slow down and take some time to reset.

And admittedly if this hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have met my nephew while he’s in his adorable baby phase.

He’s so tiny and snuggly and smells like a dream (well most of the time).

And seeing my brother as a dad is heartwarming.

This is a striking shift from the wild risktaker I grew up with.

“Are you ready?” my mom calls, interrupting my thoughts.

“Yes.” I take a deep breath as I move on the crutches. Thankfully I should be done with these things very soon. I’m counting the days until I move on to the next phase of my recovery.

I groan as I hobble toward the living room. “I hate these things,” I mutter.

My mom laughs. “Really? I wasn’t aware.”

I cringe. “I guess I’ve been complaining a little.”

My mom raises an eyebrow. “Um—maybe just a little.”

I sigh. “I know.”

“But we have a fun day planned, so that should take your mind off the crutches,” she says. “Coffee date with Sammy and Jude, and tonight we’re going to a hockey game.”

I stare at her blankly. “A hockey game? Who’s going to a hockey game?”

She types something on her phone before dropping it into her bag. “All of us. Sammy and Dane got a babysitter, so the five of us are going to a Carolina Bears game.”

Hmmm…this is new. I’ve never been to a hockey game in my life, and neither has my mother.

“Interesting,” I say. “Whose idea was this?”

“Dane got free tickets through work,” she tells me. “The Carolina Bears are a big deal here. They are the hometown team, and everyone shows up to support them.”

“Yes. I’ve seen their banners and signs everywhere,” I tell her.

“It’ll be a fun new experience,” she insists.

She’s right. And it’s not like I have any other plans, so a hockey game it is.

When we arrive at the charming little shop, Coffee Corner Café, my sister-in-law, Sammy, is already inside chatting with the woman behind the counter. Baby Jude is tucked into his stroller, fast asleep.

“There’s my baby,” my mom squeals, sprinting toward my sister-in-law and nephew. Of course she’s referring to the baby and not my sister-in-law.

“It’s good to see you too, Michelle,” Sammy says with a laugh.

“You know she doesn’t care about you and Dane anymore,” I say when I finally make it to them as I move slowly on these stupid crutches.

“Oh we know,” Sammy says.

The woman behind the counter smiles. “Welcome to Coffee Corner Café.”

“Thank you,” my mom says.

“Eloise, this is my mother-in-law, Michelle, and sister-in-law, Isabella,” Sammy says.

We both say hello.

“Eloise owns the shop,” Sammy adds.

“Oh, I love it,” I exclaim. “It’s so cozy and welcoming.”

“Thank you,” Eloise exclaims. “And I need to tell you, my friend Abby and I are huge fans of Ballroom Dance America.”

I give her a surprised look. “Really? Aww, thank you so much.”

Sometimes I forget that people watch the show. We are new and aren’t as well-known as other performance shows where people dance with celebrities, but it’s fun and its popularity is growing.

“How are you doing?” she asks, pointing to my leg.

“A lot better,” I say. “Just ready to get rid of the crutches. And ready to be out and about in the world again. Hopefully within the next week or two.”

“Isabella is not the best patient,” my mom chimes in.

I roll my eyes. “Yes, and I learned from the best. I believe you were up and moving after your gallbladder surgery despite the doctors instructions.”

My mom shrugs nonchalantly. “Anyway, what shall we order? Eloise, what do you recommend?”

I smirk. My mother doesn’t like being called out for anything.

We place our drink orders while Eloise suggests a few of her favorite menu items. Once everything is in, the three of us settle in at a nearby table and relax.

“I was just telling Eloise that we’re going to that hockey game tonight,” Sammy tells us.

“You’ll have fun,” Eloise calls. “My friend Abby’s fiancé is the goalie.”

“Yes, I was just informed that we were going to the game,” I say. “Mom going to a hockey game should be interesting.”

“You need to get out. You’ve been couped up in the house for weeks,” Sammy tells me.

She’s not wrong.

“I’ll introduce you to Abby,” Eloise tells us. “She can probably get you all passes for a meet and greet with the players.”

“Oh Dane would love that,” Sammy exclaims. “He’s like a little kid when it comes to getting autographs.”

“He’s always been like that,” I say. “I remember when Dad took us to a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game years ago, he cared more about getting a football signed than watching the actual game.”

We all laugh while Eloise brings us a variety of pastries.

“Do you think your friend would be able to get us a meet and greet?” Sammy asks her.

Eloise nods. “Definitely. I’ll text her now. She works around the corner at the med spa, so she might be able to pop over in between her patients while you’re here.”

“She’s so nice,” my mom says as Eloise leaves the table—no attempt at a whisper. Then again, no one in our family is good a whispering.

The conversation shifts from hockey to baby Jude’s eating and sleeping habits.

While I adore this child, the contents of his diapers are none of my business.

I half listen as I scroll through messages on my phone.

I’m still on all the chats with my co-dancers and staying updated on all the details of the ongoing season.

I thought about leaving the chats for a while but not knowing what’s going on would be worse than the FOMO.

I, Isabella Martin, have the worst FOMO of anyone I’ve ever met, or at least that’s what I’ve been told.

Thankfully, my friend Natalia always keeps me in the loop on what’s happening back in LA.

“Abby is going to stop over in a bit,” Eloise calls from behind the counter. “She says it shouldn’t be a problem for you all to the meet the team after the game.”

“That’s amazing. My husband is going to be thrilled,” Sammy says.

Baby Jude begins stirring, and as soon as he opens his big blue eyes, my mom scoops him out of his seat.

“Why do you get to hold him first?” I ask.

“Because I’m his grandma,” she retorts. “And grandmas have first dibs. I earned it by raising his father.”

Sammy nods in agreement. “She has a valid point.”

I laugh. “Okay fine.”

We all continue to swoon over the baby, who’s in a surprisingly cheerful mood. If only the rest of us could wake up like this.

After a few minutes, a stunning blonde woman in scrubs arrives.

“Hey, Abby,” Eloise calls.

“Hi,” Abby says warmly.

I wonder if Eloise knows every person who comes in here.

“Abby, look who’s here, it’s Isabella from Ballroom Dance America.”

Abby quickly turns around and looks at me.

“Oh, wow.”

I give a nonchalant wave.

“And this is Sammy and Michelle and baby Jude,” Eloise continues. “Some of my favorite new customers.”

“It’s so great to meet you all,” Abby says, waving her hand. I can’t help but notice a massive diamond ring on her left hand. It might be one of the most stunning rings I’ve ever seen.

“How’s your foot?” she asks.

I shrug. “It’s getting better—slowly.”

She gives me a sympathetic look. “Well, I’m sure you’ll be back next season. You’re one of the best on the show.”

I grin. “You’re sweet, thank you.”

Her phone buzzes, and she glances down before holding it up. “Okay, there will be five passes for you all to attend the player meet-up after the game.”

“Wow. Thank you for doing that for us,” my mom says.

She waves her hand. “It’s no big deal at all. The guys love meeting the fans.”

Hmm…if only she knew that none of us are actual fans of the team. I mean I didn’t know until an hour ago that I was going to the game. But maybe that will change after tonight? I’m sure it will be a lot of fun. And it’s more time with my family, which is what truly matters.