Chapter 223: Penny
I’m still catching my breath.
Not in the literal, chest–heaving way that happens after rehearsals but the electric kind. The kind that hums through your blondstream when everything works. The dinner, the art exhibit, the auction… and now the dance. All of it. Somehow, despite the months of chaos, tonight actually worked
And it’s done.
The final notes from my piece are still echoing in the rafters, the stage lights dimming in slow pulses behind me as I slip off the velvet curtain and into the wings. My heart is racing, but the nerves are gone now–replaced by a heady, glowy, exhausted sort of joy.
Backstage is buzzing.
One of the press coordinators grabs my arm gently. “Penny, could we get a few shots for the morning write–up? And a quote for the community piece?
I give her a nod, smile for the camera even though I’m still flushed and probably sweating under this softwrap, and answer when she asks how I find time for both the spring gala and the charity event.
“I don’t sleep,” I joke.
She laughs, scribbles that down like it’s profound, and I thank her before escaping farther backstage where the real exhale happens..
My hair’s already unpinned in the back, a few strands curling around my neck from the heat. I reach for a bottle of water just as I catch sight of Liane from the event team and head her way.
“Can you do me a small favor?” I ask, tapping her shoulder lightly.
She turns with a clipboard, wide–eyed. “Shoot.”
“Can you check if the people in seats X23 and X24 are still here? If so, can you bring them backstage?”
She doesn’t even ask why, just nods and disappears down the corridor with the kind of all–business stride that gets things done.
I shake out my arms, glance at the long makeup mirror, and smooth down the sides of my dress. There’s glitter on my collarbone–fine, starlight shimmer- and my cheeks are still flushed from movement and lights.
Then footsteps.
I turn toward the door–and nearly yelp.
Max is coming through it like he owns the place.
And before I can even get a word out, he lifts me off the ground in a bear hug that knocks every last breath from my lungs.
“Max!”
His laugh is warm against my hair. “Had to. You killed it out there.”
He finally sets me down, and I blink at him–and then at the tiny shadow at his side.
“Oh my God.”
The girl standing next to him is maybe six, maybe seven. Blonde curls, big blue eyes that are practically glowing with starshine. She’s in a lilac leotard, a puffy little tutu, and pink tights—like a mini ballerina who fell straight out of a storybook. My heart cracks in about seven places.
“She insisted,” Max says. “She had to wear the whole thing.”
I crouch down, softening my voice. “Hi there. What’s your name?”
Chapter 223: Penny
“Ellic,” she says, barely above a whisper. “I liked when you jumped.*
My cheeks warm. “You did?”
She nods so hard her curls bounce. “You looked like a snowflake.”
I melt on the spot.
“And you look like a professional ballerina,” I say. “Thank you so much for coming tonight.”
I glance at the stage. Most of the audience is gone now, just a few people trickling out in slow clusters, like the end of a really good movie. The tech new clearing the set.
And then I look back at Ellie–and get an idea.
“Hey, you remember some of the steps?”
She shrugs but nods.
“Come with me.”
I reach out a hand, and she doesn’t even hesitate.
We step out onto the stage again. The light overhead is dimmer now–calmer. I walk to the side and tap a button on the soundboard. One of the tracks starts to play. Soft. Slow.
“Let’s do it together, yeah?”
She beams.
We start moving. It’s not full speed–not performance–grade–but it’s real. Arms curved, knees bent, toes pointed. I slow down to her rhythm, and she mirrors me with this kind of unfiltered joy that makes something ache behind my ribs.
Her hands flutter. Her foot slips a little. But she keeps going, giggling through it.
I glance to the side just once and catch Max leaning in the wings.
He’s frozen.
Arms crossed, expression unreadable–except for the tiniest quirk át the corner of his lips. His eyes don’t move. Don’t blink. And I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he’s looking at me right now.
Something flutters in my stomach.
I look away too quickly and twirl Ellie once, guiding her into the final position with a soft laugh. The few volunteers still here clap, and Ellie launches into my arms, hugging me like she means it with her whole tiny heart.
“Star of the night,” I whisper to her.
She hugs tighter.
I take her hand and lead her back to Max, who’s still staring at me like I hung the moon.
“She’s a natural,” I say.
“She’s obsessed,” he murmurs. “You’re in trouble.”
I laugh. “Oh no, A six–year–old rival.”
Chapter 223: Penny
“She’s gonna ask for pointe shoes by morning.”
I lean in toward Ellie. “Not till those ankles are strong enough, okay?”
She salutes me. Yes ma’am.
Max grins and bends down to her level, whispering something in her ear. She nods, then steps forward to hug me again, I kiss the side of her hand gemiz.
Max straightens, his voice lower. “You want a lift home?”
I shake my head. “I’ve still got to grab my bag and sign off some papers.”
“You sure?”
I nod. “Asher’s place is just a few blocks. It’s a nice walk.”
He studies me for a second longer–eyes lingering on mine in that way that makes me feel oddly… watched. Not in a bad way. Just seets.
He leans in and hugs me, tighter this time. His arm slides around my waist like it’s second nature. I stiffen–just a little–before softening.
Ellie tugs at his hand, and he pulls back.
“She’s gonna talk about this for weeks,” he says, eyes softer than I’ve ever seen them. “Thanks for doing that.”
“I’m glad she came.”
They turn to go, Ellie waving at me so enthusiastically I think her wrist might fly off.
I wave back.
And as they disappear through the exit, I suddenly realize I’m still warm all over–stage light, adrenaline, happiness.
I head back for my bag, still humming the last note of the song.
And even with the buzz of the night winding down, I can’t stop smiling.
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