Adore me- the fourth novel

Chapter 79- stalker tendencies

"Really, you don't have to follow me" I say as Jacob catches up with me some way down the lane to the dance studios.

"You said you weren't a stalker remember" I laugh.

"Very funny" he says smiling.

"I'm ugh" he smiles looking down at his hands. Do I detect embarrassment from the most outgoing arrogant man I've ever met ?

"I've been wanting to dance with you again" he says looking away.

I'm stumped. Unable to hide it I laugh, out loud.

"Well don't tell Rachel that" I say.

"Oh I have to mention too, she is taken" I add smiling.

"Heads up. His names Nate. I wouldn't want you getting into a fight" I snark.

"Okay" he smiles.

"Enough" he blushes and looks down at his hands again.

We continue walking in relative silence. It's dusk, and I've always loved the walk to the studio. It's set back from the main campus, hidden away down a beaten path surrounded by trees and fields. You can get lost here.

We enter the building together and I scan the rooms for studio space. It's a rehearsal period, and so long as I can find a studio I will go through all of my prep exercises preferably alone.

"I'm gonna change" I turn to Jacob.

"Can't dance in this" I laugh looking at my boots and yearning for ballet shoes.

"See you in a minute" I sigh when he doesn't leave.

Once I'm in the changing room I slip on my leotard and shorts. Feeling the relief from my ballet shoes I walk back out into the hall. Jacob has disappeared, thankfully, and I walk into the last free studio space.

I set up the sound system ready to play music from my phone. I begin stretching forgetting all about Rachel and Jacob, the party later and how I can't let loose and drink. I forget all about Ross and how he watches me still. Forgetting all about feeling sick all the time and not being able to eat. I press play on my phone and my playlist begins. I lay on the floor stretching and just feel the rhythms run through me, how the music makes me want to move.

The door creaks and Jacob lets himself in. Silently he comes to lay next to me on the floor. He doesn't talk, he just comes in and stretches out next to me. He's much better when he's quiet and when he doesn't open his mouth.

After stretching I do some barre work and he joins me. It's not all that bad. He doesn't interrupt me, he knows exactly what exercises I'll be doing and he just accompanies.

After a few pirouettes I turn to face him, my cheeks flush and he looks at me as if to say what's next. I pause the playlist.

"Okay what's the first dance we need to make for the company" I say stubbornly and he smiles.

"You wanna choreograph it now" he says.

"Yeah let's go" I say unable to contain my excitement.

He connects his phone to the music system and searches for the music. It begins to play and I watch him. He's no longer arrogant, annoying Jacob to me. He's thinking creatively, and I join him.

"We can start off stage" he begins and I watch him.

"I think it should be you to begin with" he says and I agree.

"It's a duet" I half ask him.

He nods still thinking, picturing in his mind what it's going to all look like.