Page 89 of Wild Heart

Tears filled her eyes as she rasped, “I love you, Tate.”

“I love you, too. Now, don’t cry, and just finish your breakfast. Because after you’re done, I want to show you what finding you in this shirt, dancing in my kitchen, this morning did to me.”

Her body shivered, and her gaze darkened.

Then she swiped at her cheeks and finished her breakfast.

The moment we were both done, I put one shoulder into her belly and wrapped my arm around the backs of her thighs as she giggled. Then I carried her back to my bed, where I got to make my own dream a reality.

And unsurprisingly, Ava followed through just a little while later and showed me precisely what her plans had been for the shower.

Ava

Three weeks later

Music had filled the room, my shouts of encouragement like ad-libs to the song that was playing.

This was the best feeling in the whole world.

I was teaching my first pop-up class at my new studio, and I was blown away by the turnout. I’d put out some details on social media, told a few of my dancer friends who’d spread the word—sadly, none of them lived in Landing—and people showed up.

Twenty of them, to be precise.

I had the space for more, and I hoped it would eventually get there. But for now, I was thrilled about how this had gone today.

I was doing it.

I was finding my way, my little space on this Earth I’d been fortunate enough to travel over the years. No matter how many bright lights in big cities I had seen, nothing compared to Landing.

And the last three weeks had proven to be the best of my life.

I’d signed a lease agreement for this space, I was back to living in my own apartment, I had my family and friends around me again, and Tate and I were together.

Officially.

We’d spread the news and told the family. Everyone was ecstatic. I was inclined to think they were more excited about it than we were.

Nothing could top what the last three weeks had meant to me.

Standing here in my new studio, watching my students dance their hearts out, I could have cried.

But I didn’t.

Instead, I continued to cheer them on, noting the way they each took my choreography and put their unique style on it.

The choreography ended, but the music hadn’t stopped. So, I was even more ecstatic to watch as the twenty other people in the room began freestyling, each of them taking their turn in the spotlight while the rest cheered them on.

That was what dance was all about. This was what I loved so much about it. Taking a moment, living in it, and not thinking about what happens when the music was over.

No matter that it was that mindset which led to me making some of the biggest mistakes of my life, I wouldn’t have changed it for anything. Because it was the reason I was where I was now.

When the song ended, I spoke to the entire class. “This was an awesome first class. You guys are all so incredibly talented.” I took in the smiles and sweaty faces around me. “Thank you for coming tonight and making this first class a success. I’m going to be hosting more classes in the coming weeks, so if you enjoyed this, I’d love to see you back here. And tell your friends. Anyone is welcome to come.”

“Thanks for a great class, Ava,” one student said.

“Yeah, I had such a great time,” another added.

I beamed at them.