my face when I think about Zoe propositioning him.
And his partner.
One of the girls on the floor hisses my name, and I blink back to awareness. She jerks her head toward the corner of the studio, where our instructor unwinds a scarf from around his neck. “Sorry.” I press a hand to my chest and raise my voice. “Did you call me?”
“A word, s’il vous plaît.”
“Of course.” I pop to my feet and pad over to him.
A slight frown tugs at the corners of his lips as he scrutinizes my appearance. “You are well?”
I shift uncomfortably under his relentless stare. “Umm, yes.” I’d rather shove bamboo beneath my fingernails than admit I’m upset over a guy. The number one rule in the studio is that outside bullshit stays where it belongs. Outside. We don’t bring it into this space, allowing it to taint the creative energy of the dancers.
“Très bien.” Before I can return the question, he says, “I assume you have submitted an application for the London Contemporary Dance School study program.”
I draw my lower lip between my teeth and shake my head as embarrassment stains my cheeks. “No, I didn’t.” When he mentioned the highly sought-after program a few months ago, I’d kicked around the idea but never bothered to apply. I’d been drunk on my relationship with Colton, and the idea of leaving Wesley—and him—for an entire year hadn’t even been a consideration. I’m ashamed to admit that I’d prioritized him above dance. Considering how we ended, that had been an epic mistake on my part.
Especially since all I’d been was unicorn pussy.
My fingernails bite into my palms as I straighten my shoulders.
His perfectly sculpted brows pinch together. “Why not?”
There’s no way I can reveal the truth. The man would probably mutter in French before banishing me from the program altogether. “I didn’t think I stood much of a chance against the competition.” It’s not a lie.
“The deadline is next week,” he clips out with a glare that makes me feel three inches tall, “submit your application.”
Properly chastised, I bob my head. “Yes, Monsieur.”
When he remains silent, I scurry back to my spot on the floor. My heart pounds a steady tempo as I give serious consideration to the program in London.
Do I really have anything to lose by throwing my hat into the ring?
Not really. The odds of making it through the selection process are minuscule, and it’ll give me something other than the obvious to focus on.
So...I guess in that regard, it’s a win-win.
Chapter Ten
Alyssa
One month later...
The muscles of my belly contract as I click on the email and skim over the first line. I’d mentally prepared myself for a—we regret to inform you...blah, blah, blah.
Instead, it reads—Congratulations! You have been selected...
I blink and scrutinize the first line for a second time, but the words remain the same. It still says congratulations.
Holy shit! How did this happen? I didn’t think I had a snowball’s chance in hell of being selected to attend LCDS. There were only a handful of spots, and the competition was killer. Without Monsieur Dupre practically forcing me to apply, I wouldn’t have bothered. A potent concoction of excitement and fear bubble up inside me. As those thoughts swirl through my head, the dorm room door swings open, and Mia steps inside.
Her lips lift into a smile when she spots me at the desk near the window. “Hey! I didn’t expect you back so soon.”
“The professor cut our class short,” I tell her. “I just walked in ten minutes ago.”
With a huff of breath, she tosses her bag onto the bed before pulling off her jacket. “It’s freezing out there.” Her cheeks have pinkened from the walk across campus.
“Yeah,” I agree, gaze flicking to the window and the thin blanket of snow that covers the ground, “it is.” As far as I’m concerned, spring can’t come soon enough.
Mia drops onto the bed next to her bag before pulling out her phone. “I’m glad your here. I found a few more apartments for us to check out. I know it’s early, but we should try to find something before all the good ones get snatched up.”
Shit.
Mia and I have discussed living off-campus since we were freshmen. We’ve already looked into a few places, but they were located further away from the university than convenient. It has to be within walking distance since parking on campus is a nightmare.
My gaze darts to the laptop screen. Only now do I realize that I haven’t mentioned