Page 28 of Igniting Sparks

“Trust me,” he murmurs, his mouth dancing near my ear. “You’re going to love this surprise.”

Not possible. I don’t care if his surprise is a blonde, brunette or redhead—I know I’m going to hate her on sight.

And if she’s still naked, then all bets are off. Screw an emergency room visit. They won’t find the body.

“You ready?” Braden asks.

“Definitely not,” I mutter, the blood pounding in my ears.

“Too bad.” He slides his hands away. “Open your eyes.”

“Do I have to?”

“Shit, Mina, now you’re makingmenervous. Just open your eyes.”

So, I do. And what I see takes my breath away.

There is no woman of any variety in the room. No bed or post coital experience.

Mirrored panels stretch along one wall with a dance barre fixed securely beneath them. The wood floor shines like glass, freshly polished. In the corner, a mat and recovery chair sit untouched and waiting for use.

Braden shoves his hands in his pockets, that gorgeous grin lighting his features. “You told me you loved twirling, but you had no room for it at your mom’s house. Well, we have room here. I figured that now, you can twirl whenever you want.”

Tears spring to my eyes as I walk the length of the barre, completely overwhelmed by Braden’s gesture. “You did this for me?”

“Who else would I do it for?” He laughs, running a hand over his jaw.

“But why?”

“I know how much dancing means to you. It hurt my heart that you haven’t been able to partake. Figured I could do something about that.” Braden rubs the back of his neck, his gaze flicking to the floor like he’s bracing for a letdown. “I know it’s not perfect, but?—”

I rush to his side and clasp his hands in mine, pressing kisses to his roughened fingers as the tears slip from my eyes. “It’s better than perfect. I can’t believe you did this. When did you find the time?”

A slight flush colors his cheeks as he thumbs away the tears rolling down my cheeks. “I haven’t slept much the last few nights.”

“I would have helped you.”

“Then it wouldn’t be a surprise. See? I told you not all surprises are bad.”

“Best surprise of my life.” I kick off my shoes, gingerly stretching my foot. “Time to test this ankle.”

Braden shakes his head and hands in tandem. “Not right now. Your ankle needs to heal.”

“You don’t build a girl a dance studio for twirling and then tell her to sit on the sidelines. I’ll be careful. But a room this beautiful requires at least one pirouette.”

With a fortifying breath, and fully aware of Braden’s eyes on me, I walk to the barre, running my hand along the smooth wood. I close my eyes and will my ankle to hold as I rise onto the balls of my feet and find my balance.

My grace.

Then I spin in a tight soutenu and glide the length of the room like I never stopped dancing.

When I reach the end of the barre, I release a triumphant yell and clap my hands together, the happiness overtaking my soul.

Yes, it’s a simple move that most first and second-year students master. But for the girl who lost her way, this is a reclamation.

A huge grin stretches across Braden’s face as he shakes his head in disbelief. “Wow. That was gorgeous. You are effortless.”

“It’s a simple move, but I haven’t done it in years.”