Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 48146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
Sure, I made fun of his trumpet, but there was no denying he was passionate about it. But this, this seemed different. He shined on that stage like a bright star. I might’ve been biased about my boyfriend, but I didn’t think so.
They received rousing applause as they exited the stage, likely because of the men in skirts, but honestly, it shouldn’t have mattered. They were all passionate and talented and deserved commendation.
I looked down at the program, noting that Emil would be in one more ballet number. That performance was also awesome, as was the finale, where they all came onstage to take a bow. The audience got to their feet, and I did too—which helped work out the stiffness in my knees—and everyone cheered loudly.
By the end of the production, I was drained, so I could only imagine how Emil fared. But maybe he was more energized than tired, like I felt after winning a game.
We all reconvened in the lobby to wait for the dancers to change and grab their things.
“Thank you for coming,” Mrs. Ettinger said to my parents.
“We wouldn’t miss it,” Dad replied.
“Emil was amazing,” Mom said, and his parents grinned.
“So talented,” Dad added.
“In every way,” I agreed, then realized how that sounded.
When Mom winked at me, I felt my face get hot.
I watched as Lark came out and was surrounded by his and Henners’s families. It was promising to see the Albrechts embrace Lark. He lifted Star in his arms and smooched her cheek.
Finally, Emil came out as well, dressed in his regular clothes, but there was still evidence of his glittery eye makeup and lip gloss.
“Congrats on a great show!” I handed him the flowers and gave him a quick peck on the lips.
“Thank you.” He sniffed the roses. “You weren’t too bored, were you?”
“No way! I thought it was so cool—well, mostly—and damn, E, you can dance. I mean, I always knew you could, but I’m so impressed.”
“We agree,” Mom said, handing him her bouquet.
His smile glowed as his parents hugged and praised him too.
When I caught Lark’s eye, I congratulated him as well. “You were awesome.”
“Wasn’t he?” Henners cooed like a lovesick puppy.
Was that how I acted with Emil? Christ, I hoped not.
“So let’s be honest, how many times did you want to drop Lark during practices?” I teased Emil.
Lark huffed out a laugh. “He wouldn’t dare!”
“Nah, he was a good partner,” Emil said with a grin.
“He better say that. I had to put up with all the pining!” Lark said.
Emil glanced at Henners. “Turnabout is fair play.”
“You pined after me?” I said against Emil’s ear, that mushy feeling in my stomach again.
He bussed my cheek. “I’ll never admit it.”
We all went to dinner as a group, which was really cool. I loved feeling like I had people around me who cared. Emil’s parents were so great, and my mom and dad had more than made up for the tension that used to be present between us.
After we said our goodbyes, we held hands the whole way back to the dorm.
“Now what?” I asked.
Emil batted his eyelashes. “Start a rewatch of the entire Slay series, give each other facials, and make out?”
I grinned. “Two out of three ain’t bad.”
“Liar.”
Yeah…yeah I was. It didn’t matter what we did, as long as it was together.