All for the Mirrorball

Chapter 29 - Thrilled and Terrified

The morning drifted by in a haze of stolen kisses, shared breakfast, and lazy laughter. Thanks to their late studio time, Ilona had decided to take advantage of the occasion and skip the gym, which gave them the opportunity for a rare - unheard of, really - slow morning.

After taking Jeff for a leisurely walk, they sprawled out on the couch, her feet in his lap as she read on her kindle. They sat in the warm, comfortable silence, the soft strains of music playing on his phone. Every now and then, Alan would hum along, his fingers drumming against his leg as he imagined the steps.

Ilona smiled, watching him out of the corner of her eye. "You're choreographing in your head, aren't you?"

"Always," he admitted with a grin, nudging her foot lightly.

Then, with a sudden glint of inspiration, he grabbed his phone, switched the music over to his speakers and selected a new song. The opening notes of Golden Hour filled the room, the melody swelling and transforming the space.

Alan stood, extending his hand toward her with a soft smile. "Dance with me."

Ilona laughed, glancing around the cozy living room. "Alan, there isn't enough space for our waltz in here."

"At least the spin," he said, his voice low and coaxing. "I want to do it right. Just once."

She hesitated for a moment before slipping her hand into his, letting him pull her to her feet. The room felt impossibly small but somehow perfect, the golden morning light streaming through the windows casting everything in a soft glow.

Alan's hand settled at her waist, guiding her effortlessly into a basic waltz. She couldn't help but smile as he led her in a few gentle steps, his eyes locked on hers. When they reached the spin - the one that always made her heart catch in rehearsals - he turned them with a precision and care that made her feel like the most graceful version of herself, even while dancing in her socks.

Except this time, when the spin ended and she rose back to eye-level, he didn't let go. His hands gripped her waist for just a moment longer before sliding upward, one curling gently around the nape of her neck while the other brushed her jaw. His eyes lingered on hers, searching, before he closed the space between them. The kiss was deep, deliberate, and so full of emotion that it made her knees weak. She gripped his shoulders to steady herself, letting herself fall completely into the moment.

When they parted, his voice was barely above a whisper. "I wanted to do that every time."

Ilona blinked up at him, her breath stolen by the tenderness in his gaze. In his arms, she felt beautiful, wanted, adored.

Her fingers curled against his chest, and she let out a soft laugh, unable to mask the warmth blooming in her chest. "If you did that during the live show, we'd definitely get another ten from Carrie Ann."

Alan chuckled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "And it wouldn't be the only one."

—

Alan's car hummed quietly as they drove toward the studio, the mid-morning sun casting a warm glow through the windows. His fingers tapped absently against the steering wheel in time with the music.

"You think anyone's actually going to buy the breakfast story?" Ilona asked, her eyebrow quirking as she turned to look at him.

"It's no more conspicuous than our normal daily meals together," Alan said with a shrug, his lips twitching. "I think we're safe."

"Barely." She laughed softly, shaking her head. "Next time, I'm driving myself. It's less suspicious."

"Less suspicious, but a lot less fun." He shot her a grin, his tone teasing. "I like having you all to myself for a little longer."