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Taking my keys from the valet, I thank him before I round my car. Patrick follows, opening my car door. I sit inside, pressing the button and lowering the window as he closes my door.

“I’ll call you,” he says will another mega-watt smile.

“Great, I-I look forward to it,” I manage to get out.

“Drive safely.”

I smile and nod as he steps away, and then I pull away from the curb, not giving Patrick a second glance in my mirror.

Sagging in relief, I drive further away from the country club, wondering what the heck that was. My mother has hit a new low tonight. She’s suggested I date many of her friends’ sons over the years, but she never has ambushed me like that.

A mixture of anger and frustration courses through me, and I know I need to rid this feeling from my body. I glance at the clock and do the math: I’ll just make it if I floor it back to the city. Yes, that’s exactly what I need—my go to way to unwind and release tension. I crank the stereo, music blasting through the speakers, and I press my foot firmer on the pedal. The anxiety that filled my body slowly dissipates the closer I get to the city, to my secret place, where I feel authentically and unapologetically myself.

Chapter Two

Gabriella

Beads of sweat roll between my breasts, chest heaving, heart thumping almost painfully against my ribcage and, with every thump, the last of today’s adrenaline leaves my body.

“Okay, quick water break, and we’ll go again,” Kaz, our dance instructor, yells over the music. I walk over to my gym bag, reach for my water bottle, and drain half its contents.

“Is it me or does tonight’s routine feel intense?” Luna asks through panted breaths.

“Yeah, for sure,” I reply, my words just as breathless. Luna is my friend from dance class. I saw a flyer for a late-night heels class at my local gym, and on a whim, after an intense dinner with my parents, I swung by the class to trial it and I loved it. It’s been two years since I started, and I sneak away every Thursday night to dance.

It’s my little secret. I’m not ashamed of it, but I like having something just for me; a place none of my everyday friends know about; a hobby my parents can’t judge because hell, Cathrine Monroe would have a lot to say about her only daughter parading around in skimpy dance shorts and heels. It’s a far cry from my Julliard attire. I loved my time at Julliard, but after landing a jump awkwardly, my knee was never quite the same. Sure, by most people’s standards, my knee was fine, and it didn’t impact my day to day life, but for the life of a ballerina, it was a deal breaker.

So, I decided to train as a Pilates instructor, and I teach eight classes a week and do some accountancy work freelance when I want the extra cash. I love it, but for my parents’ sake, they think I do that full time, and my Pilates classes is my side job.

“Okay, so this time I am going to have you come up and perform the routine in small groups. First up, Luna, Aria, Summer, and Gabriella.”

Tossing my water bottle in my bag, I reach up and pull my scrunchie to tighten my long, thick ponytail and make my way to the center of the studio, facing the back wall of mirrors.

I take my starting position alongside the other girls. We spread out, giving each other enough space. Arms raised, and crossed at the wrist, we wait for the music to start. Kaz lowers the studio lights and the sultry beat of aBeyoncetrack hums from the speakers. I rotate my hips, bending my knees, and bring my arms down. I instantly feel the adrenaline pumping around my body as I smooth my hands over my hips, spinning on the balls of my feet and landing on my knees.

“Yes, ladies,” Kaz praises loudly over the music.

I lower my body to the floor, arching my back, thrusting my hips into the floor, and the room erupts into whooping and cheering. It’s so empowering being in a room full of womensupporting one another, no shame in embracing their sexuality and femininity. It gives me a buzz.

Lifting my chest, I roll my body so I’m up on my knees and repeat the body roll until I am in a standing position. I continue the routine, spinning and moving my hips seductively. We end the routine on our knees, slightly parted, arms outstretched, and head down. Chest heaving, I inhale trying to regulate my breathing. The routine was intense tonight, but it was exactly what I needed.

The room erupts with more cheers and claps. I take a seat in the corner, back against the mirror, and watch as the next group takes their positions and begins. I watch in awe as women of all shapes and sizes, from all different walks of life perform the same routine and move their bodies so freely.

It’s not that I don’t think Ria or Ali wouldn’t understand, they absolutely would. But I like having this little piece of my week just for me. Something no one knows about. Before I know it, the class has come to an end, and my favorite part of my week is over. Hooking the strap of my black gym bag over my shoulder, I hold my wallet in my hand, knowing I’ll grab a smoothie from the juice bar on my way out.

“You were on fire tonight,” Luna says as we head out of the studio and down the stairs.

“Thanks, so were you,” I say, my words still a little breathless.

“You looked super tense when you first walked in. Everything okay?”

I think about giving my usual ‘I’m fine’ answer but I’m still reeling a little from the meal with my parents and knowing Ali will be out till the early hours at work and Ria is busy wedding prepping and getting the girls to bed, I don’t have anyone to vent too, so I offload a little.

“Ugh, yeah, just family stuff.” I huff.

“Want to talk about it?” Luna asks.

“Yeah, that’d be nice,” I say as we approach the juice bar, and I look up at the menu that hangs above the cashier. We both order a green juice, and once we have our drinks, we walk outside, heading towards Central Park.