Kiss Me, Dancer (31 page)
Authors: Alicia Street,Roy Street
Casey rubbed her temples. “I’m sorry, Drew. I know it was dumb. And cowardly. I should’ve—”
“Just answer me this. Did you really pick those cards that pointed to my getting married? Or did you make that up?”
“Yeah, I pulled those cards. So?”
“Interesting prediction.”
Oh no
. Hadn’t she cried enough for one day? All she needed was for Drew to tell her he was engaged to this special person Jenna had mentioned. Which reminded her… “Didn’t you tell my sister you had a date tonight?”
“Yeah, that’s right.” Drew held out a bouquet of pink roses.
Casey stepped back. “I don’t get it.”
“I was talking about
you
. Don’t you remember? That first night on my boat? You agreed to go out for a
Got Moves
celebration dinner when it was over. Win, lose or draw.”
Her mouth opened, but nothing came out.
Drew placed the flowers in her hands. “If you’d been willing to talk to me yesterday or answer my calls today I could have reminded you.” He stepped closer. “I’m in love with you, Casey.”
Her breath caught. “Me? You love
me?
”
“Thought I was immune to that kind of thing. But you came along and everything changed.”
Casey stared at him, hardly believing what she heard.
“Don’t leave me standing here, Casey. I’m only half alive without you.”
She let the roses fall and flung her arms around him. Drew held her close and showered her with kisses.
“Drew, I’m so in love with you I can’t think straight.”
“Maybe this will help.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small, square, felt-covered box.
Her hands shook as she opened it and saw a ring of woven gold with a series of diamonds leading to one large stone. Could it possibly mean…?
He dropped to one knee and took her hand. “Pardon me if I suck at this, but I never thought I’d ever hear myself say these words. Casey, will you marry me?”
Her eyes wet with tears, she murmured, “Oh, yes. Yes, Drew, I will.”
Drew pulled her onto his knee, but she kissed him so fiercely they fell to the floor, laughing and rolling in each other’s arms.
And they were very, very late for dinner.
Epilogue
The first televised show of the new
Got Moves
season aired on January sixth. Casey and Drew held a gala party that night to celebrate the Cove Corps as well as the opening of the North Cove Academy of Performing Arts. They decked the completely renovated building with flowers and balloons, a display of the
Got Moves
trophy, long tables of food made by Natalie’s catering company, an area for games, and of course for dancing.
Guests filled the place to the max. Students and their families, friends and supporters, locals excited about the new arts center in their town. Andrew Sr. looking peachy again and a little slimmer with the heart healthy diet Casey had put him on. Of course Jiao was there, as well as Natalie and Parker, who’d been her support all along. Drew’s trusty cornerman Keith and his wife Lizzie. Even Trevor arrived with his new girlfriend. And Casey’s mother actually seemed impressed. No, she didn’t tell Casey that. But Jenna did.
The Cove Corps gave a brief performance. And, yes, Josh was part of it. Drew’s ex-wife had agreed to let the boy live with his dad in America this year, thanks to the fact that Drew now had a wife and Josh a doting stepmother.
Drew had bought an estate in the North Fork right near the Sound. Just outside of North Cove. Casey and Josh could bike to the studio and to the beach. Drew’s father, who called Casey his lucky star ever since she saved his life, moved into his own private wing.
At the height of the party Drew slid an arm around Casey’s waist and pulled her into the director’s office. He handed her a giftwrapped package. “I found this a couple weeks ago, but thought I’d wait for tonight. You’ll see why.”
She tore off the wrapping and opened the box to see a frosted crystal blue unicorn with a fairy riding on its back. She looked up. “I can’t believe you found another one.”
“Been looking for weeks.”
It was just like the one her dad had given her when he used to say, “Listen to the dreams in your heart.”
Yes, Dad, you were right
.
Setting the unicorn on her desk next to the little plaque Josh had given her that read, “Director, North Cove Performing Arts Academy,” she turned and hugged the husband she loved so much.
When they rejoined the party, Parker waved her over to where he stood talking with Natalie.
After making a champagne toast to the new school, Natalie turned to Parker. Her pitch heightened an extra notch for Casey’s benefit. “Tell me, Parker. Ever know someone who went by the name of
Calamity
Richardson?”
“Hmmm. Not sure.” He turned to Casey. “What about you, little sister? That name ring a bell?”
Casey shook her head and traded a kiss with Drew. “Never heard of her.”
About the Authors
In addition to being part of today’s Indie author movement, Alicia and Roy are traditionally published. In 2009 they received a Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. They both share backgrounds in the performing arts. Alicia spent years as a dancer, choreographer and teacher. Roy in theater and standup comedy. Alicia is a chronic reader of every genre including the classics. She also loves old black-and-white movies, making organic soups from recipes she invents, working out and, of course, dancing. Roy’s into sweaty workouts, too, as well as watching boxing on HBO and eating Alicia’s organic soups. Their cat’s name is Wallace, an orange ten-pounder who’s crazy over pizza. He and Roy do slices every Friday night.
“…a husband and wife writing team that has managed to capture the best in both men’s and women’s fiction…”
—Romance Junkies
Stop in and talk with us on our blog:
http://aliciastreet-roystreet.com/
Friend us on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/AliciaRoyStreet?sk=wall
Tweet with us on Twitter: @AliciaStreet1
@RoyStreet4
Coming next in our
Dance ‘n’ Luv Series
TOUCH ME AND TANGO
Parker Richardson grew up early. At seventeen he took care of his mother and younger sisters and began running his late father’s gardening business. Strong and down-to-earth, nothing knocked him off his feet until he met Tanya Gentilliano. The spoiled, selfish, and outrageously beautiful young dancer took him for a spin that left him dizzy for years to come. Over a decade has passed, and Tanya, a rising star in the world of ballroom dance, has traveled internationally, winning over audiences with her clean technique, dazzling smile, and showgirl legs. But after an SOS phone call from her weird-and-wild mom, she rushes home to the quiet coastal fishing village on Long Island’s East End and runs smack into Parker Richardson. When they see each other again, all the heartache, the longing, and the fury come rushing back as if it were yesterday. Bringing with it a secret danger that will change both of their lives forever.
And don’t miss our short story prequel — SNOW DANCE
Contents