Finding Your Feet Page 12
“Good. We’re getting loads of material.” Katie leaned forward. “Evie, what’s Tyler like to dance with?”
Evie made sure to school her expression. “Awful. He’s a control freak. I can’t do anything right.”
Tyler’s jaw dropped, and he huffed in disbelief.
“Really,” Evie continued, “I’m having second thoughts. We keep being distracted, he’s such a klutz, I’m not sure we’re well matched—”
Tyler muttered something and scooped her up over his shoulder. Abruptly, she was upside down, facing his butt and legs. What? How? “Hey!”
“Excuse me, I need a word with my dance partner,” he said to the camera.
“Put me down!” He’d swung her up like she was a doll. Absolutely no fear. Bloody hell. As he walked away from them, Evie looked up into the camera and mouthed, Control freak.
He patted her leg. “Behave, Godzilla.”
“I am behaving.”
He stopped still. “You’re a visitor to my city, but I have a reputation to maintain.”
“Your city? Excuse you, you’re not the only—”
“Get back here,” Katie called, “we’re not done!”
“As long as Evie doesn’t get to speak.” Tyler swung around to face the documentary makers. “Much more,” he added.
For fuck’s sake. Evie slapped his back. “Put me down already.”
“Hey, I have a new idea,” he said. “Why don’t I just do the whole routine with you on my shoulder like this?”
“Why don’t I just knee you in the face and we can spend the next two days in hospital?” Evie wriggled them threateningly.
He scoffed but grabbed her knees tightly. “That’s nothing. It’s not a dance rehearsal if you don’t spend time in the ER.”
Evie laughed despite herself. “Come on, I can’t feel my legs anymore.”
“Okay, here’s how this is playing out.” He turned around so she could look up and face the camera. “I’ll let you down after you say something for me. Repeat after me: I, Evie Whitmore.”
Evie rolled her eyes. He let her slide farther over his shoulder and she shrieked, grabbing his shirt. “If I go down, Davis, I’m taking your shirt with me.” God, this felt too close for comfort.
“I, Evie,” he insisted.
“I, Evie,” she intoned.
“Do solemnly swear.”
“Do solemnly under great duress swear.”
He jiggled her legs. “That my partner, Tyler Davis.”
“That my partner, Tyler Davis.”
“Is without doubt the most talented, insightful, understanding, and handsome—”
“Oh, really now—”
“—dancer and teacher I’ve ever had the privilege of working with.”
Evie sighed and faced the camera. “He’s great.”
She felt Tyler chuckle under her and her legs were pulled forward. She clenched her core instinctively and rose up so she looked down at him from what was now an impromptu lift. Her abdomen and hips were held tightly against his chest. A nameless emotion rolled through her when she realized that he had her. And he was enjoying it.
“You swine,” she choked, clutching his shoulders.
“You’re still buying me lunch, right?” His gorgeous brown eyes laughed up at her.
“Jesus, you two, get a room,” Katie groaned.
Oh. Really? Evie felt a blush creep over her face. She seemed to be doing that a lot lately.
Tyler set her down quickly. “We tried,” he said, deadpan, “but these people with cameras keep interrupting us.”
Katie rolled her eyes. “Have you seen the other couples’ routines?”
“No,” they said in unison.
Tyler made a face. “Carmen’s really good, so I have no idea what to expect from her. I think I’d end up intimidated.”
Brock and Katie shared a knowing look.
Aha. Evie would bet money Tyler’s instincts were right. She crossed her arms. “I don’t suppose you two want to share what you’ve filmed?”
“No,” Katie said. “Contractual obligation.” Evie snorted. A likely story. They wanted primed but real drama to capture on the actual day.
After a few more questions the camera crew left, thankfully leaving them alone again.
Tyler caught her eye and grinned, prompting butterflies in her stomach.
Alas, they had to get back to business. This time, she really noticed a difference. Messing around had lightened the atmosphere, and now they kept interrupting each other with sly pokes and rude hand gestures. Her body twisted and turned, Tyler keeping pace easily, because somehow they were more in sync than before. The feel of his hands in hers was second nature, and she could sense where he was by some strange association between the routine and her body. She kept catching his eyes on her, focused and lively.
Evie definitely wasn’t used to being physically in tune with someone like this.
Even better, Tyler seemed to be legitimately enjoying the session. Even though she was a beginner, had brought her worries with her, and he’d had to listen to her vent, he still liked dancing with her.
The thought did more funny things to her stomach. Oh Lord, this really was a thing, wasn’t it? Beyond nerves and dancing, beyond making a new friend, and finding unknown parts of herself, this was . . . This was special.
Despite all the warm fuzzy feelings, come the end of their session, she was ready to crawl back to bed. Instead she collapsed where she stood, body shaky and stomach empty. Tyler stood over her, stretching his hamstrings in a way that made his legs look slightly disjointed.
“I can’t move,” she said.
“I noticed.”
“I thought I’d get used to the exercise.”
“You are. Your body’s just complaining about it.”
“Uggghhh.”
“Eat something. You’ll feel better. Oh look, it’s lunchtime.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “I see your cunning plan, sir, and I disapprove.”
He crouched next to her. “Do I have to carry you out of here?”
“No.” Christ. No one had any business being as strong as he was. She flopped over onto her front. “I’m moving.” She crawled to her bag. “See?”
Tyler scoffed and stood. “People are waiting.”
Evie wanted a chair. A motorized scooter thing. Yes, that would be good. Something that would transport her with minimal effort on her part. She pulled herself up to standing and picked up her backpack with a grimace. “Lead on, sensei.”
“What do you want for lunch?”
“Whatever’s closest,” she replied grimly.
Ten minutes later, they were settled in an Italian sandwich place and Evie had an iced tea in front of her. She gulped it down and closed her eyes during the ensuing sugar rush. “Oh God, that’s good.”
“Sugar makes everything better,” Tyler remarked.
So true. Evie let the rush subside, then opened her eyes. “Katie looked ready to kill us.”
“If she hasn’t cracked by the end of the week, she’ll be a documentary director for real.”
“Have you seen Mark’s interview?”
Tyler’s eyebrows rose. “No.”
“It’s a thing of beauty. Oblivious hetero man beauty.”
He snorted. “I can imagine.”
Evie sipped thoughtfully. “We should get Brock to show us footage. Bribe him with drunk Gigi stories.”
Tyler groaned and covered his face. “No. I don’t want anything to do with their drama.”
She leaned forward and peeled a finger off his face. “Gigi’s your friend. His drama is your drama.”
“And don’t I know it. It’s ridiculous.” He peeked at her with his mouth half turned up in a smirk though.
“You’re ridiculous—”
Evie’s phone buzzed. So did Tyler’s.
She glanced at him, then they both pulled their phones out. Evie saw a message from Sarah that simply said: LOOK OUT THE WINDOW. Evie looked up at Tyler, whose ey
es were wide. They turned together to the window.
Sarah and Gigi waved at them excitedly from the street. Gigi laughed and Sarah rushed to the door. Evie couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed. She turned to Tyler and— Was it her imagination or did he look disappointed too? “How did they find us?”
“I don’t know.” He seemed tense.
“Hey, guys!” Sarah trilled, sliding next to Evie.
“Isn’t this cozy.” Gigi grinned, nudging Tyler meaningfully as he sat next to him in the booth. Evie was amused to see how unimpressed Tyler was.
“I was going to surprise you for lunch,” Sarah said to Evie. “I bumped into Gigi, who said he saw you two walking out of the studio together. We followed you and you had no idea!” She picked up the lunch menu and started scanning it. “This place looks great. Ooh, salt beef.”
“Shouldn’t you be somewhere apologizing to someone?” Tyler said pointedly to Gigi.
Gigi gazed at him with wide, innocent eyes. “Why would I do that?”
Tyler’s smile could have cured and salted beef. “It’s so great you joined us. You should have the chicken.”
“Oh, I already ate,” Gigi said.
Evie couldn’t help wondering what on earth Sarah and Gigi were so happy about.
The waitress approached with Tyler’s and Evie’s orders. She blinked at the newcomers, then took their orders and bustled away. Evie picked up her pulled pork slider and took a bite. Heaven couldn’t taste any better than pulled pork at that moment. Her eyes might have rolled back in her head. When she returned to reality, she saw Tyler grinning at her.
“How was practice today?” Sarah asked.
“Great,” Tyler said. “Evie’s doing well, and we’re on track for Saturday.” He turned to Gigi. “How’s Mark?”
Gigi threw his hands up. “He asked if his girlfriend could watch us practise.”
“So?”
“So, no! The last thing I need is them slobbering over each other while I’m trying to teach him open fucking hold . . .”
As Gigi settled into his rant, Sarah leaned against Evie. “That sounds really positive, especially for Ty. Things must be going super well, eh?”
What the . . . No, Sarah. Just no. “I owed him lunch.”
Gigi leaned over the table and grinned like a shark scenting blood. “That’s not what Brock said.”
Evie could play this game too. “How is Brock? Have you apologized yet?”
Gigi gasped. He whacked Tyler’s arm, forcing him to put down his sandwich. “You told her? How could you tell her about last night? What the fuck, man?”
Results. Evie smiled. “He didn’t tell me anything, but you did. Just now. Last night, huh?”
Gigi gaped at her, then narrowed his eyes. “You play dirty, Whitmore.”
She sipped her iced tea.
“Who’s Brock?” Sarah asked.
Tyler picked up his sandwich again. “No one.”
“The camera guy,” Evie said.
“A mistake.” Gigi sat back and crossed his arms.
The waitress set down drinks and Sarah’s sandwich, distracting them. Evie met Tyler’s eyes over the table as he chewed, looking thoroughly amused. He closed his hands around his sandwich as though holding a long, thick object, and she tried not to choke on her food with laughter. Sarah’s delighted expression instantly put her on full alert, and she swallowed her food. “So, Sarah, you wanted to surprise me?” she said.
“Yeah! I have news. Do you remember Vaughn from last night?”
Evie had a vague image of a mop of dark hair and expensive clothes and art talk. “I think so.”
“He’s the art gallery curator. You talked to him about Postimpressionism and colour theory. Or something. He wants to come with us to Niagara Falls tomorrow!” Sarah beamed. “It’ll be four of us now.”
Tyler coughed and gulped some water, Gigi patting his back in concern. Once Tyler could speak, he asked, “You’re going to Niagara Falls tomorrow?”
“Yes. That’s why we scheduled the practice in the evening,” Evie said. “I thought I told you?”
He nodded. “Yeah, yeah, just forgot it’s tomorrow.”
Time was passing so quickly. Evie frowned at her slider. Tomorrow was the fourth session, which meant they were halfway through this competition. She was leaving a week tomorrow. She looked up at Tyler. He set his sandwich down and gazed back at her with an expression she couldn’t begin to figure out.
“Omigod, that means you’re going back to England in one week’s time!” Sarah gasped. She put her arm around Evie and hugged her tight. “I’m going to miss you!”
Evie laughed and hugged her back. “Come on, Sarah, I’ll be back before you know it.”
Tyler shoved at Gigi. “Excuse me.” Gigi let him out, and Tyler walked to the washroom.
Gigi eyed them. “The Falls, eh? I love Niagara Falls. They have an IHOP there.”
Sarah blinked. “IHOP? You like the Falls because of IHOP? Are you serious?”
Evie tuned out their bickering. Her slider no longer looked appetizing. This lunch, so bright and promising, had fallen dim around her. She felt . . . upset. Why? It couldn’t be the idea of going, which was ridiculous because she was coming back.
Perhaps, she realized, surveying the restaurant and catching Tyler’s eye as he stepped out of the washroom, it wasn’t the act of leaving, but what she would be leaving behind.
“Evie!”
She turned. “Yes?”
Sarah scoffed at her. “Weren’t you listening? We have got to take you to brunch.”
“Okay?”
“Believe me, you Brits don’t know proper brunch,” Gigi said.
“How would you know?” Tyler had reached the table now. “You’ve never been out of Ontario.”
“We’ll figure it out.” Sarah turned to Evie. “Now, tomorrow, we’ll pick Vaughn up on our way out of town. And maybe some cake. Ace field trip to the Falls!”
Evie’s head whirled. Brunch, Niagara Falls, this strange funk she was suddenly in—it was a little much, and she couldn’t feel excited about Vaughn joining them. From memory, he was really opinionated. Not as bad as the girl who’d decided her opinion trumped Evie’s life choices, but still, not someone she could see enlivening the trip.
Evie noticed that Tyler barely spoke during the rest of the meal. Granted, Sarah and Gigi could cover everyone’s conversation themselves, but something about Tyler’s silence bothered her. She focused on it so much she missed Gigi asking her a question.
“That sounds great!” Sarah exclaimed.
“Sorry, what?” Evie asked.
“Drinks on Thursday,” he said. “Friday I’m in class, and we should be resting for the performance anyway. So, Thursday, cocktails with me on Church Street.” Gigi waggled his eyebrows at her.
Evie had to laugh. “Yes. Absolutely.”
“What about you?” Gigi asked Tyler.
He was focused on what was left of his sandwich, apparently uninterested in their plans. “Can’t. Working.”
“What, at the café? They can spare you.”
“No. It’s a dance gig.” Tyler shifted in his seat. “It pays really well. Sorry.”
Gigi eyed him suspiciously. “You’re off the hook this time.”
Tyler eyed him back. “You still owe me for Saturday.”
Gigi sighed dramatically but didn’t argue.
Sarah checked the time and flew into a panic. She hugged Evie good-bye and put down money for her food.
Gigi stood to go as well. “I have a class, so I’ll walk you to the TTC, Sarah.”
She nodded and they left.
Evie and Tyler were left in a dizzying vaccuum of quiet. Tyler opened his mouth, and Evie held up her hand. “No,” she whispered. “Let’s just enjoy the peace.”
He snickered and leaned forward. “What the hell was that?”
Evie shook her head. “I don’t know. If it was just Gigi, I’d expect an ambush, but Sarah too . . .”
>
Tyler’s eyes glinted. “Oh, it was definitely an ambush.”
“But why?”
An uncomfortable silence fell as Evie realized that neither of them wanted to answer that. Friends just being friends? Or friends being nosy? She looked out the window at the passing traffic and marvelled again at how different everything was.
Tyler set aside his empty plate with Sarah’s. “I noticed you didn’t have Godzilla today.”
He did? She’d left the toy behind because of the course department visit she was making later. She didn’t want to risk the course director seeing her lugging some toy around—there had been a few close calls the last time she’d visited. “He was tired after all the walking yesterday,” she said.
Tyler smiled. “You go far?”
“All along Manitou Beach. It’s gorgeous out there.” She pulled out her diary and opened it to her notes pages to show him her doodles. He made the right appreciative noises, and she found herself staring at him.
Evie ducked her head as she blushed. What was with her? She seemed to spend half her time with him blushing. He was her dance partner. Nothing more. Even if he was cute and sweet and patient and funny and— Oh. Oh Evie. You know better than this.
Time to get a grip. She was impressed by the guy’s focus and talent, that was all. That and the way he moved with her, the way his face lit up and his hands waved when he was inspired, the way he touched her like she had substance and presence and— Stop it.
The routine. It had to be the routine. All that intensity and pretend passion and physical closeness. It was messing with her perceptions of his behaviour. None of this was romantic. Even if it felt textbook romantic, it wasn’t.
But maybe this is platonic and I’ve made a new friend.
She glanced at him. He was still looking at her silly drawings, really admiring them. Guys like him, who were surrounded by dancers, a group of people universally beautiful and more disciplined and interesting than her, couldn’t be into someone like her, not when they had so many better options. No way was he even on the same level as her. Nope, it seemed fairly straightforward.
Who are you kidding, Whitmore?
“You know,” he said, “I read a bunch of web comics, and I really think this is on the same level.” He pushed the diary back towards her.
Evie forgot the drawings. “Web comics? You do? Which ones?”