Page 112 (1/2)

Then he says: “No one puts Bobby in the corner”

I stare at him “You didn’t just”

“I did” With a hu on the stage with me You’re the only partner I want The only true one I have Do this dang dance with me, will ya?”

I’m not ready

I’m not confident

I’m terrified out of my bones

And I take Ji all of my trust into him as I rise from my chair

Ji my hand as he takes me down the aisle So many faces and eyes and stares and dropped jaws follow us the whole way there So do the lances and noises

And then we’re ascending the steps to the stage Lights spill over e Theto quiet down Silence falls over the entire world

All focus is on us

Every bit of it All of Spruce is watching

Jimmy holds me in place, then takes my hand, and just like that, we’re in position, ready for the music

Jimmy looks into my eyes “Just like we rehearsed,” he whispers to me “It’s just you and me”

“Jimmy …”

“Yeah?”

Soth makes me find my own

At once, I’m at ease

Ji with This is where I begin and where I end

The beat kicks in Those first eight counts play where the pair of us stand perfectly still in our pose, hands in hands We stare intensely into each other’s eyes

A smirk finds my lips “I’m not scared”

Jimmy’s smirk mirrors my own “Let’s dance”

Five, six, seven, eight …

And then we dance

He takes a step, leading the way, and I take my step

Our bodies twist, I slide under his arether, our eyes fierce and focused

Another beat hits

Another foot slaps the stage with resolve

Jiht as air