His Lovable Klutz (Completed)

Segment Thirty-eight.

♥ Lub-DUB! Lub-DUB! Lub-DUB! ♥

      The soft notes of the waltz filled the ballroom, and Stefan, still holding Coby's hand, led her onto the dance floor. As they began to move together, Stefan guided Coby with a gentle but firm hold, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back.

      To his surprise, Coby followed his lead effortlessly, her movements graceful and fluid as they glided across the polished marble floor. Their steps were in perfect harmony, as though they had danced together a hundred times before.

      Stefan hadn't expected her to be such a skilled dancer. " I must say, you dance beautifully," he said, genuinely impressed. "Where did you learn?"

      Coby's eyes softened with a distant look as she replied, "My Dad. He loved to dance. We used to waltz in our living room on Sunday afternoons. He would put on an old record, and we'd dance until my feet ached. He said it was important to know how to dance—said it was something that could bring joy to any moment, no matter how hard life got."

      A smile spread across Coby's face as she recalled those memories, and it was as if the room around them faded away, leaving just the two of them and the music. Stefan found himself staring at her, his heart inexplicably starting to beat faster. There was something about the way she smiled, the way her eyes seemed to light up as she spoke of her father, that made her seem so… radiant. He quickly shook off the feeling, trying to focus on the conversation.

      "Where is he now?" Stefan asked softly, trying to keep his voice even as they twirled together.

      Coby's smile dimmed slightly, and she looked down for a moment before meeting Stefan's gaze again. "He passed away when I was sixteen. It was sudden—a heart disease. We didn't even get to say goodbye. One minute he was there, dancing with me, and the next… he was gone."

      There was a softness in her voice, a vulnerability that Stefan had never seen before. His chest tightened with an unfamiliar ache as he listened. Sympathy welled up inside him as he watched Coby's face, her expression both fondness and sorrow. The way she spoke, the quiet strength she exuded, stirred something deep within him.

      They continued to move in unison, their steps sweeping across the floor in smooth, flowing motions. Stefan gently spun Coby, watching as her dress fanned out around her before she returned to his arms. The grace with which she moved captivated him. Her hazel eyes sparkled under the chandelier lights, her lips curved in a soft smile as she lost herself in the music and memories.

      Stefan's heart began to race again, and this time, he couldn't simply brush it off. His gaze wandered over Coby's features, taking in the delicate curve of her jaw, the subtle blush of her cheeks, the way her hair framed her face so perfectly. She looked up at him with those hazel eyes that seemed to pull him in, and Stefan felt his breath hitch. He spun her again, the world around them blurring as he pulled her back close, their bodies moving together in perfect synchrony.

      As they danced, Stefan found himself admiring the way she moved with such natural grace, the way she seemed to be in her own world yet perfectly attuned to him. The more he stared, the more his heartbeat quickened, his mind racing with thoughts he didn’t want to entertain. When had she become so captivating? So… beautiful?

      The music slowed, and as they swayed, Stefan found himself leaning in closer to Coby. Her face was mere inches from his, her breath warm against his skin. His eyes drifted down to her lips, soft and inviting, and for a brief, intense moment, he considered closing the gap between them. His pulse thundered in his ears as he fought the urge to kiss her, the logical part of his mind warring with the undeniable attraction he was feeling.