The Dance Read Online Free PDF

Camaro, then he’s double parked, waiting for us.”
    Hank had finished her phone call and now stood in front of the theater’s large front windows. She drew patterns on the glass after having breathed on it. Melanie realized she was politely trying to ignore her talk with Bryan.
    Melanie was relieved to go outside and get a breath of fresh air. Bryan was really upset, and that bothered her. But in addition to worrying about him, she couldn’t stop thinking about the troupe. She didn’t know whether to be excited or scared.

three
    B RYAN SLID HIS hand away when Melanie reached for it. He couldn’t explain why, but the closeness he had anticipated at seeing her had vanished. He knew if he looked at her, he’d see hurt in her eyes. A part of him wouldn’t hurt her for the world, but he needed a minute to think about this.
    Cold, he was so cold. He shivered, even though Seth had the car’s heater going full blast. Glancing out the window at the snow closing them in, he felt smothered, trapped, not in control. He felt afraid. Fear—that was it, he was intensely afraid. Not for himself, but for Melanie.
    Seth maneuvered them out of traffic before he spoke. “It is much too quiet in the back seat, don’t you think, mystery lady? My name’s Seth Rubens. I won’t ask what they’re doing, but if we had more polite friends, they would have introduced us before they got so involved.”
    â€œOh, I’m sorry, Seth,” Melanie apologized, leaning forward between the bucket seats. “This is Hank Brooks. She’s in the ballet troupe I auditioned for. The troupe I got into, Seth. I haven’t even told you I made it!”
    â€œI’m easily ignored, I know,” Seth said, looking in the rearview mirror at Melanie. “I’ve accepted that. Don’t worry about hurting my feelings. I have none. You can call me Mr. Spock.” Seth ran a hand through his dark curly hair and sat up straighter. He looked at his new passenger. “Hank?”
    Hank laughed. “My real name is Hannah, but no one except Madame Leona and my mother calls me that. I have three older brothers who would only include me in the family if they could pretend I was another male.”
    â€œHave they taken a good look at you lately?” Seth didn’t usually pay much attention to girls, but Bryan could see that he was quickly warming toward Hank. He forced himself to pay attention to the present. Melanie was here, right beside him, and perfectly safe.
    Hank laughed again. “I’d say you’re off to a good start, Mr. Rubens. And I’ll take that as a compliment. Oh, turn left at the next light. If you don’t have anyplace special in mind, I’ll introduce you to the best pizza in the state of New York.” Not shy at all, Hank took charge of the party.
    â€œI’m game. I was tired of Dino’s.” Seth glanced around. “So you made the troupe, Mel? Congratulations—I guess.” Seth almost gave away their secret.
    â€œHank helped me relax.” Melanie said quickly. “I’ve never danced better.”
    â€œEating pizza makes me very nervous, Hank. Can I count on you to help me relax when we get into a booth?”
    Hank considered his request for a minute. “I don’t know why not. I’m glad to have found my mission in life. Maybe I’ll start some classes and—”
    â€œI think you’d do better with private lessons.” Seth pulled into the parking lot where Hank pointed.
    â€œYou would.” Hank laughed and hopped out of the car before Seth could come around and help her.
    â€œBryan, are you all right?” Melanie asked. Hank had hooked her arm through Seth’s and steered him toward the small neighborhood restaurant, leaving them alone.
    Bryan took a deep breath and pushed aside his feelings. Telling Melanie he was scared for her seemed ridiculous. “I’m fine, Mel. I