brother
Chapter 89: Penny
I’m not a tired as I thought I’d he.
My legs are warm in that post–dance kind of worn, and there’s a light sheen of sweat under the neckline of my pink tank top, but it’s not existion I‘ adrenaline. Excitement. The good kind.
Kebrarsal was mostly about getting a feel for Lar–how he moves, how I mase, how see meet in the middle. He’s strong and grounded, and at first I was a little tense because you never trally know if someone’s going to drop you, and trust isn’t something I hand sut eandy–but after the first few lifts, 1- stopped worrying
He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t wobble. And more importantly, he didn’t treat me like glass or like I was someone to impress. He was just… there. Steady. Focused
“Your lines are beautiful,” he said at one point as we held a pose longer than necessary for the reg’s notes. “I mean it.”
Ed flashed and muttered something like thanks, but he’d just smiled and added, “I will be an honor to dance beside you
After we’re dismissed by Madame and the others, Lue and I walk out of the studio together. The sun is still out, casting gold streaks on the sidewalk, and the light breeze cools my damp skin.
“You are from here, yes?” he asks as we cross the lat toward the street.
“Born and raised,” I nod. “And you?”
“Paris. But I ta part of the year in Canada. We travel a lot.”
“That sounds exhausting.”
“it is,” he laughs, rubbing the back of his neck. “But it is also rewarding. You get used to sleeping in strange beds.”
I smile at that. “Well, welcome to this strange town.”
He grins. “Merci. And
your petit copain is here.
I blink, then glance toward the street–and sure enough, there’s Asher Leaning against his car like he walked out of a movie scene. White shirt, jeans, in his pockets, just….. there.
Luc gives me a quick hug and waves. “A demain, étoile.”
Tomorrow, star
hands
I barely have time to process it before he disappears down the sidewalk. I tum toward Asher and walk over.
“Hi,” I say, suddenly shy.
He smiles down at me, soft and warm. “Hey. How did it go?
“Good,” I say, trying not to sound too giddy. “It was more of a get–to–know–you session with Luc and Sofia. Lue’s great. Strong, reliable. Didn’t drop me. which is always a win.”
Asher smits. “That’s a low bar”
“It is,” I laugh, “but unfortunately, not every clears it.”
He opens the passenger side door for me and I slide in. As he gets in the user seat, I glance at him. “Does this outfit work for dinner? I didn’t really change.” And is true, I basically just put as over my tights and put on cute shoes
His eyes flick over me, lingering for half a second on my pink tank top and the cropped black holera i threw on over it. “You look perfect.”
Chapter 89: Penny
Something about the way he says it in
The engine starts and we pull in the mad. He glances over. “Tell me meer about rehearsal.”
I shrug, then start talking. “It was mostly just finding our rhythm. Madame wanted to see how we sync, how our timing is gether. A lot of haric fit, spotting work, a few partnering warmups. There’s a rep from the pala there too. I get they want to keep an eye on everything.”
“Pressure much?” he mermans.
I rod. “Yeah. But I don’t know. It didn’t feel bad. Lue was easy in work with. He latens. He’s not all “I know better than you like some leads
Asher chuckles. “Glad he passed the Penny test.“
I smile, glancing over at him. “You were up cady”
He’s quiet for a moment, then says, “Yeah, Needed to catch up. I hadn’t worked out in a couple days.”
I nod slowly, watching the way his hands grip the steering wheel, Veins visible, strong fingers tapping lightly in rhythm to something only he can hear.
We pull into a parking lot near a small, low–t restaurant. Asher turns off the engine and then turns slightly in his seat,
scratching the back of his neck.
“I should warn you,” he says, voice low. “Eric–Rooster–he can be a lot, Loud. Gory. Some of the stories aren’t pretty. If it gets too much, jest give me a look and FII tell him to shut up.”
I laugh. “I think I can handle it
He raises an eyebrow “Just saying. He has no filter.”
“Someone’s finally going to shine a light on the mysterious Asher Hayes. I’ve been waiting for this day.”
He groans and open the door. “There’s nothing mysterious about me.”
I hop out ton, grinning as 1 join him. “Please. You’re basically a fictional character at this point. Dark past. Mysterious vibe. You probably speak seven languages and weretly rescue kittens in your spare time.”
The shakes his head, smirking as he leads me to the restaurant door. “You’re ridiculous”
“And you love it.”
His silence is a little too long to be unintentional.
Then he opens the door, and I follow him inside.
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