Page 24

Epilogue

Three years later

I’m not sure if I’m terrified or excited. Maybe a bit of both. Lito, on the other hand, is exuding confidence as he talks to some of his students from his studio. My students probably get a look at my face and realize that maybe I’m not the best person to get a pep talk from.

Even though I only took one dance class at college, I still learned so much from Lito. I feel like I learned more than if I had taken more classes at the university. After a couple years, one of the instructors at the studio quit and Lito suggested that I take over until he could find someone to replace the employee who left. While I was reluctant and terrified, I quickly found that I loved it. It was the perfect job for me.

A couple months ago, he made me the official teacher of four different classes, and I’ve even started giving private lessons. I know my dad is worried that I’m going to teach ballroom full time instead of helping him out at his business, but only time will tell. I do spend far more time thinking about how to expand Lito’s business instead of my father’s.

It took Dad a while to warm up to Lito. Though it wasn’t Lito himself, it was the idea that Lito was my partner that he was reluctant about. Thankfully, Mom and Parker instantly liked him and wanted to include him in every family event.

“Get over here, Hunter,” Lito says as he holds a hand out to me.

I reach out and take it, allowing him to pull me after him.

“We’re going to get ready,” Lito tells the students. “You guys are going to do fantastic. But we’re still going to wipe out the competition.” He’s teasing since a few of his students are our competition.

“Unless I fall on my face,” I add, since there’s always a chance of that.

They laugh, even though it wasn’t a joke. There’s literally no guarantee I’ll stay on my feet.

“That’s alright; if he falls, I’ll just drag him after me. Make it look like it was on purpose,” Lito decides. “If I throw in enough hand motions, the judges will love it.”

“I oddly think you could pull it off. Everything you do looks so deliberate.”

“It’s the hip motion and the hands,” he says with a grin.

He ushers me toward the back so we can get changed. He takes me into the bathroom with him where he pulls out my outfit. “Look how shiny you’re going to be.”

It has enough detailing on it that I’ll be really noticeable when I stumble over my own feet.

“Well, at least you’ll be able to find me when I hit the floor on my face. If I fall, you are required to drag me off the stage. Just tell them I’m unconscious so I don’t have to get up.”

“You’ve danced showcases before. This isn’t much different.”

“This is a competition. It’s much different.”

Lito grabs my hand and pulls me to him before kissing the ring on my finger. It’s only been a week since he proposed, but it feels like it’s been there for years. “We’re going to have to get the attention of the judges somehow.”

“I could tell them I like their muscles. That seemed to get your attention.”

“How about we keep that declaration between the two of us? I don’t want to be jealous. That should be reserved just for me.”

“You’re no fun,” I say with a grin.

Just being around him helps push my anxiety back down. I’m still nervous, especially because this will be the first time we’ve danced together outside of the studio and showcases.

I eye the outfit and sigh. “Alright, let’s put on these ridiculous clothes. I am not letting you pick outfits without me around ever again.”

“Your brother helped me, and this is what he picked,” Lito says.

“You had to have swayed him. There is no way Parker could have come up with this on his own.”

“Maybe a little.”

When he puts his jacket on that shows me a nice span of muscular chest and stomach, I decide that maybe I do like the outfit. Then again, Lito makes everything look sexy.

Once dressed, we head out together to show our support for the people we know. Anxiously, I wait for our turn, but Lito’s hand in mine gives me the strength I need. When they call for us, I nervously look at him, but he gives me a huge smile and squeezes my hand.

“It doesn’t matter if we place or not; all I care about is dancing with you,” he says.

I smile as I pull his confidence in for myself. “What about the expensive fee?”

“Oh, that too.”

Just before we walk out, Lito grabs my chin and tips it toward him before kissing my lips. “Then again, I would pay anything to dance with you.”

My smile widens. “I want to dance with you naked.”

“I’m sure that can be arranged.”

“I love you,” I say, looking up into his warm brown eyes.

He beams at me. “I love you too.”

Together, we head out to find our spot on the dance floor. I know my father is in the crowd with my mother and brother. And while I’m sure he’d rather be drinking beer and watching football, it means a lot to me how much he’s changed over the years.

“Let’s kick these dancers’ asses,” Lito says.

I reach over and tug his shirt open a little more. “If we can’t win with our dancing, showing a bit more skin might do the trick. I know it won me over.”

He starts laughing as he shakes his head.

Lito has given me so much. So much love, so much support, so much confidence. He has helped me realize that I don’t have to follow anything but my own heart, and that I should live for myself and do what I love to do. But as my faith in myself has grown, I’ve realized that while I can stand on my own two feet, I would gladly follow Lito anywhere.

The music swells, and with my hand in his firm grasp and my heart full of joy, we begin to move.