Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
T he Viennese Waltz was a dance that was all about the romance. Big dresses, soft movements, twirls and dips, and everything expected by anyone who had ever watched Beauty and the Beast . She’d been tempted by that theme, then thought Luc might not appreciate the connotations of that, or that it mightn’t be tough enough for him, so she’d requested a song change to something more fitting. But she hoped he’d like it.
Many of the adults who signed up for dance classes came specifically to learn the waltz, usually for a wedding, usually as the bride and groom. She’d taught so many classes over the years that she knew what needed to be done. And Luc was improving. His steps even had some grace to them, and he was nailing the rise and fall. It did help that this was an easier dance than the last two, that the main thing he needed to concentrate on was his frame, keeping his upper body upright and looking as graceful as he could.
It also really helped that they’d had that conversation, that he knew more about her, and she knew more about his thoughts towards her, and that whatever happened with the dancing there was the potential for something exciting in their future.
It put extra bounce in her day, even in a new hired studio in Toronto, even as Bailey admitted to the producers about her toe, even as Ella and the guys filmed their every interaction, poking questions at them to find out the truth about their relationship. The fact that there could be a relationship in three weeks—next week, if this didn’t go well—made her smile, and the fact Luc was happy to hang out with her, laughing, talking about anything and everything, like when they waited for their coffee while people took pics on their phones, also seemed to draw them closer. It was like a secret that only they shared. Even if Poppy and Bailey’s own family were busy messaging her and asking for the truth about what was going on.
“I can’t believe this!” her mother squealed on the phone. “When were you going to tell me about your boyfriend?”
“He’s not my boyfriend, Mom.”
Yet, Luc mouthed, smirking from across the dining table at Coco’s.
She rolled her eyes at him. He’d joined her and Coco for a meal tonight, before she finally watched that movie with him. She’d wondered whether Jason should join them too, had even murmured something along those lines to Coco, but Coco had said that he was learning lines to audition for a Hallmark movie with Ainsley Beckett. She preferred this anyway. Coco loved this film as much as Bailey, and there was something special about introducing her favorite movie to the person who’d fast become one of her favorite people. How funny to think she hadn’t known Luc a month ago.
“Well, I want to meet him,” her mother continued. “Can we come watch you this weekend?”
“Sure. They have tickets that can be reserved for family members.”
Coco nodded. “Be good to see your folks again.”
“Coco is here, and she said she’s looking forward to seeing you.”
“Oh, wonderful! And how is your foot? We’ve been praying since you sent the prayer request.”
In the family group chat. “Thanks, Mom. It’s actually been okay today. I kept off it, had to teach the waltz while sitting down mostly.” She wasn’t sure how that would translate on-screen in Ella’s package. “But it really helps that it’s an easier dance, and Luc is getting much better at the rise and fall.”
“You should tell him he should practice that one-two-three movement wherever he walks this week.”
She laughed. Luc looked up, smiling, and she repeated what her mom had said. He winced.
“Yeah, I’m sensing he’s pretty eager to do that when he meets some of his hockey guys later this week.”
Apparently, his folks weren’t the only ones wanting to meet her. Dan and Sarah, and Mike and Bree, were also eager. Along with her parents and Poppy, and Dr. Callie, there should be quite the contingent of supporters in the audience this week.
“Tell him to remember his frame.”
“I will.” Her mom had worked as a dance instructor back in the day, before retiring to raise her family. She’d been so excited when Bailey’s dance dreams had taken her overseas, and had never really understood why Bailey had quit ballet. That was probably because Bailey had never really told her the full story, like she had with Luc. He really had danced past her guard to get that admission from her. After Bailey had quit chasing her ballet dreams, Bailey’s dance studio was some compensation for her mom, and now her appearance on national TV was likely up there with Bailey dancing at Covent Garden with The Royal Ballet. If only her grandmother and sister could see her now. Her heart tensed. She wondered what Chrissy would think if she had watched the show. And what her father thought. He’d never been a fan of men with tattoos, and Luc had plenty.
“And we want to meet him.”
“You will. And don’t worry, I’ll send you all the information, okay? If you arrive on Saturday, or even Friday, we’ll have on-site rehearsals most of the day, but we could do dinner maybe.” If she could juggle that with what Luc had tentatively arranged with his friends. She swallowed a smile. This couple-ness, without officially being a couple, was kind of fun.
“Okay, well, rest up. I suppose you’re going to have to actually dance with him soon?”
“The plan is to do that tomorrow. But I’ll be taking it easy, don’t you worry.”
“Throw a few more lifts in there, get him to do the work.”
“There will be a few lifts. It’ll give his muscles a good workout. Which is good, because he’s getting soft.”
“Come on,” Luc protested, as Coco and her mom laughed.
“Love you, Bails.”
“Love you, too, Mom. I’m glad you’re coming this weekend.”
Luc studied her as she ended the call. “What day do they arrive?”
“I need to figure the tickets out first, then let them know and they’ll arrange it from there. But she wants to meet you.”
“Sounds like a busy weekend,” Coco said, as Bailey gingerly made her way to the living area.
Coco knew their plans as Bailey had deemed it wisest to have her friend privy to the truth about their relationship, especially if she was going to be living in Coco’s apartment until Bailey’s time in the competition was over. Coco thought it sweet, but also wise, given their contracts. And Bailey didn’t mind the fact that Coco could act as a chaperone, not only because it helped aid their story that there was nothing going on—yet—but because having a third party around when they were together was a good reminder to keep this strictly platonic. Which also reminded her…
“Are you ready to watch this movie now?” she asked him.
“So ready.” He glanced at where Coco was settling on the couch nearby. “Um, is she…?” he asked softly.
“Watching it too? Yep. It’s her favorite as well.”
“Oh. Okay. Um, can I hold your hand while we watch this?”
“Would you normally hold hands with a friend of yours while you watched a movie?”
Coco laughed, and got the TV ready.
“Yeah, no.”
“I guess that’s your answer.” She smiled at him, pulled the blanket around herself, and positioned her injured foot on the cushion on top of the coffee table, and slurped her green juice.
“Wow.” Luc exhaled heavily. “Did you know she was such a hard taskmaster?” he asked Coco.
“She looks all sweet and nice, but she’s a real hard horse’s butt, right?”
“I was going to go with Sergeant Bailey, but that’s pretty close.”
Bailey threw a cushion at him, and he snickered. “Now, I need to let you know that you’re not allowed to talk in this movie,” she warned him. “It’s my favorite, and if you watch it, you’ll understand why.”
“Mm-hmm. That Sergeant Bailey thing?” Coco said. “It’ll really come out if you talk, so just follow orders, Corporal.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Coco’s big screen filled with the image of red curtains scrolling open, then the gold lettering appeared, as the well-loved music filled the room.
“No way,” she thought she heard Luc say.
“Quiet in the back,” Coco commanded.
Then the images of dancers appeared, then the exquisite music composed by Strauss continued, and Bailey sighed with happiness. Then smiled as Luc straightened as the beautiful scenes on the screen paused and reverted to mock-documentary style. “Huh?”
Clearly he had never watched a film like this before.
She peeked at Coco, who smiled back. This was a satire, but not everyone understood that in their first viewing, and she loved the fact that the film structure messed with people. She loved so much about this movie, not least the fact that it might be Australian but it resonated with ballroom dancers around the world. And though it had dated a little, so much remained true. Dance culture, ballroom culture, still had relevance beyond the dance world, which was why dance remained a constant on screens, whether in movies or on TV shows like hers.
“I recognize that song,” he murmured.
“Are you talking?” Coco asked, eyes still on the screen.
“Nope,” Luc said.
The on-screen dancing continued, the love story twisting through scenes not too far removed from her own experience. Her heart clenched in the memory of Mark telling her the dance was “pretend” and not real. The ugly duckling’s transformation to beautiful swan was not dissimilar to Luc’s own transformation on the dance floor.
She had read that the director had attended ballroom lessons when he was a kid and knew this world well, which was why it felt so authentic, even though it was set a world away. The nature of dance was that many dancers could be international, and she knew that the US version of Dancing with the Stars had employed numbers of Australian, English, and European dance pros. Dancers had to make a living one way or another, and while there might be some variations in the language, the language of dance tended to remain the same.
She snuck a peek at Luc, who was frowning at the scene where the paso doble was being taught, the strong man’s dance, full of fire and energy.
He peeked at her. “Is this what we’re doing?”
“Only if they give it to us.”
“Shh!” Coco said.
She smiled at Luc, and he reached across and she held his hand. Maybe friends could do so, after all.
* * *
“That film was the weirdest,” Luc complained, smiling as Bailey rolled her eyes.
“Just because it didn’t have any flying superheroes in it, or blood and gore,” she scoffed.
“Which film?” Sarah Walton asked.
They’d booked out a private room of one of Toronto’s top restaurants, as it seemed half the Bible study group had gathered to watch him dance in person this weekend. Maybe they were all here because they didn’t trust him to make it to next week, but he had a good feeling about this one. He and Bailey had performed the waltz together only a few times thanks to her sore toe, but he knew this performance would be gold. Not just because of her stunning costume—a pale pink gown with sparkly bits in it that caught the light while he was back to wearing a dumb suit—but he knew the lifts would work and look amazing. Especially if he nailed the last one, their most dramatic one yet, which deserved a ten just for sheer audacity.
This week’s song was an older one, “Iris”, by The Goo Goo Dolls, the rhythm perfect for the three-quarter time he had started to nail. He was confident this would be their highest-scoring dance yet, and secretly hoped they might earn their first seven, or even an eight.
Bailey told Sarah, and Sarah’s jaw sagged. “I can’t believe you don’t love that movie. It’s one of my favorites too, and not just because I’m Australian. What is wrong with you?”
“He’s a guy,” said Poppy James, Franklin’s youngest sister, rolling her eyes.
“Hey, don’t go assuming all guys only do guns and gore,” Bree said. “I happen to know there are some men seated here who even watch Jane Austen movies.”
Luc snickered as Mike groaned. “It was once, babe. And you weren’t feeling well at the time.”
“I think once counts, am I right, ladies?” Bree winked.
Gladness filled his chest to see Bree back to her perky self, after her illness with her last pregnancy. Apparently this visit to Toronto was one of her and Mike’s first real weekends away since the twins’ birth.
“For sure.” Sarah chuckled, casting a look at her husband.
“Honey, no.” Dan shook his head.
“Don’t you want people to know what a proud Canadian you are?” Sarah’s animation was not dissimilar to Bailey’s. “I would think it should be mandatory viewing for everyone in this country.”
“Let me guess: you made him watch Anne of Green Gables ,” Bree said.
“The real one, from the 1980s, I hope,” Poppy said.
“Of course. And look.” Sarah did a hand gesture like a model on a giveaway show. “He even survived.”
“How long was that movie?” Luc asked Dan.
Dan held up three fingers, which triggered laughter around the table.
“He’s obviously the most committed man here.” Sarah smiled at Bree. “Unless your Austen movie was the five-hour BBC production of Pride and Prejudice .”
Five hours? Just the thought of watching a chick flick for that long was enough to make him bust out in hives.
As the women swapped stories about their favorite films, he took the chance to talk with the guys, while his parents small-talked with Bailey’s. The fact they’d all come to support them meant a lot.
“So, let me get this right: you and her are not a thing,” Mike said in an undertone.
“Nope.” Not yet.
“Did everything work out okay with the doctor?”
Luc nodded. Pointed to Mike’s sister. “Meet the doctor.”
“Callie? I wondered why she was here,” Mike said.
“She was on call, and stepped in—”
“After you stepped on Bailey’s foot,” Dan said.
“She’s still in pain, but she’ll be okay. The medics on set at least know now, so that’s something.”
“I’m glad it worked out okay.”
“Amen.” Thank goodness things were working out okay. The producers had assured Bailey she didn’t need to worry about being fired, either, which had added extra spring to her step. “Thanks so much for letting us use your place.” Luc fist-bumped Dan.
“Sarah appreciated the flowers you left there.”
“It really helped to have somewhere private to go.”
“Private, huh? Is there something I need to know here?” Mike asked.
“Nope.” But Luc filled him in anyway. No need to have the man guessing.
Mike nodded. “So, you dance tomorrow, then what, if you get through you’re still staying here to rehearse?”
“It’s easier than travelling back to Winnipeg. We did that the first weeks and it was really tiring, so we’re sticking around here. It’s been much easier to get to rehearsals and do some other stuff as well.” Like interviews. And make the most of the big smoke and do tourist things while blending into the crowds. With both of them in civilian clothes, unmade-up, they could almost pass as ordinary folk. Well, she couldn’t, because Bailey had a sparkly-like quality about her, pretty enough that she often got second glances, even with no makeup on. The fact she liked him still blew his mind.
“And then what?” Dan studied him. “Are you back to hockey training?”
Luc nodded. “They said they’re planning to save the official captain announcement until training camp, so if all goes well, I’ll be back into peak fitness by then.”
“Bree was saying how a lot of these celebrities really shred the kilos with all the dancing they do on these shows.” Mike eyed him. “You’re looking a little leaner.”
“It’s insane how much cardio there is in this. After the jive we did last week, I swear I dropped two kilos just doing that.”
“You need to be careful then. What’s your trainer saying?” Dan asked.
“He said as long as I work on muscle mass and do weights I should be okay. But man, I get so hungry all the time.”
“Must be all those lifts you keep boasting about.”
Luc grinned. “I know that I might’ve mocked a few things about dancing and stuff in the past, so don’t tell anyone, but I’m really starting to enjoy this.”
“Bailey!” Dan waved.
“Don’t.” Luc dragged his hand down.
“What is it?” Bailey asked.
“Nothing,” Luc said. Man, why did everyone have to watch their little interactions, like it was amusing? Seriously, these people needed to get a life or something. He peeked at her dad. He didn’t look too amused. He’d seen the way Bailey’s straitlaced dad had curled his lip when he’d seen Luc’s tatts earlier. Clearly the man hadn’t jumped onboard the Luc Blanchard fan train. He sure hoped his own folks weren’t making things worse.
Dan shot Luc a smirk then called to Bailey. “Do you think Luc’s enjoying dancing now? Enquiring minds want to know.”
Her gaze fell on Luc, soft and lovely, warming his heart. “I hope so. Because I would hate to think he’s going through all this and hating it.”
“Oh, I’m pretty sure the man isn’t hating it,” her dad said, with a double raised eyebrow lift at Luc.
He swallowed, straightened, conscious he should be making more of an effort with her parents so they’d approve of him. “Look, I don’t want anyone to take this the wrong way, but,” he sighed, noting Bailey’s concern, “I really think I like the waltz the best of all.”
There was a new wave of tease and applause, along with a few “Awws” from some of the ladies. But he barely noticed, his heart full of Bailey’s soft gaze on his, her smile for him. It was all he could focus on.
Until he heard Poppy’s voice murmur, “Just wait until he gets to do the tango.”