Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 75983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“I’m starving—” He cut himself off with a startled noise as he took in the changes I’d made to the place. His gaze swept over the art on the walls to the couch to the dining area, pleasure softening his features. He squeezed my hand. “Oh. Look at this. You outdid yourself.”
“Trying to earn that lifetime role.” I mimicked his humble shrug from earlier, adding the same arch tone.
“It’s already yours.” He pulled me in for a kiss. “Along with my heart.” He punctuated that declaration with another, more lingering kiss, one that warmed me from the inside out. He pulled away with a reluctant groan. “And my body, but that may have to wait till after food.”
“I can wait.” I meant that. I’d waited ten years for my crush to become reality. I’d waited through the holiday season for our fling to transform into undeniable feelings. I’d wait through this season of long distance and transition for our future together. I leaned in for another quick kiss. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Alexander.”
“Happy Valentine’s Day.” His blue eyes shone brightly, reflecting back all the same emotions rising within me. “I can’t wait to spend all my holidays with you.”
“It’s a plan.” I laughed as I made my way to the fridge to prepare our late-night Valentine’s supper.
Had I planned this whole thing? I hadn’t, of course, and neither had our scheming mothers, but we certainly felt meant to be, as inevitable as Alexander kept joking. In him, I’d found my true purpose and calling, but also a deeper confidence and sense of self. He’d chosen me to partner with, and I, in turn, chose to welcome his love. We both deserved this happiness, and I couldn’t wait to watch our next act unfold.
Epilogue
Coda: the fastest part of the pas de deux at the end. Also, the finale of the whole ballet.
Alexander: Three Years Later
“Merde.” The usual good wishes were whispered backstage as we prepared for the curtain to rise on Barcelona, for the opening of Don Quixote. Tonight was the opening performance for Ballet Philadelphia’s biggest, most lavish production yet, as we brought to life the iconic romantic comedy ballet renowned for its humor, romance, and technically brilliant choreography.
I nodded at Alicia, the dancer playing Kitri to my Basilio. We had tirelessly rehearsed for our leading roles in the love story at the heart of Don Quixote. Julian called our chemistry “electrifying,” which spoke as much to our acting chops as anything else. Since arriving at Ballet Philadelphia around the same time, Alicia and her husband had become good friends and frequent dinner partners for Rudy and me.
Rudy and Alicia’s husband would be watching from the audience that filled the historic theater. Forget the other hundreds of ballet-goers, I wanted nothing more than to make Rudy proud tonight and to make all of our sacrifices and his support worth it. I had my headphones on, and as I prepared to hand them and my phone to a member of the backstage crew, my phone vibrated with one last message from Rudy.
I’m already proud of you.
Damn him for being such a good mind reader.
Merde. Point your toes. I’m proud of you no matter what. Go out there and have fun.
Bossy man. He was right though. Ballet was fun for me in a way it hadn’t been prior to Rudy. I embraced the joy of each performance in a new way. Sharing each success with him was an unexpected reward, as were his gentle reminders to be less hard on myself and simply enjoy the fruits of my hard work. He’d love me no matter what, and that unconditional affection made it far easier to follow his orders.
The curtain rose as the violins swelled. The elaborate set brought to life the historic square in Barcelona as dancers filled the stage. Soon, Kitri and Basilio would enter and profess their love. I handed my headphones and phone off and took one last breath to steady myself as I embodied the role.
Basilio was an iconic role, and I joined a long line of dancers to make the role their own. Julian and I had worked on each variation to showcase not only the best of my abilities, but also to put our company’s spin on the classic love story. Since I was living out my own love story with Rudy, I was uniquely positioned to share the story’s message about the power of love and being true to oneself. I fully believed in the transformative properties of love. I wasn’t the same man I’d been three Christmases ago, nor was I the same dancer.
I was better. As Basilio and Kitri searched for their happy ending, I conveyed Basilio’s growing bravery. I was so happy I’d found my own courage to go after Rudy, and that joy infused the role. With each movement, I grew more confident that this was one of my finest performances. I had never felt so certain on stage, so sure of each leap and turn. I carried so much confidence and adrenaline into the grand pas de deux in the wedding scene in the final act. Alicia, as Kitri, was my perfect partner. We played off each other’s energy until Don Quixote and Sancho set off once again on their quest, and the final curtain fell.