Dangerous Creatures (Book 3, Pure Series) (45 page)

              "Yes," GM said.

              "You thought he'd stood you up," I said. "But he really hadn't."

              "No, he hadn't," she said. "The situation was beyond his control. It was beyond mine, too, apparently. It was so strange waking up there in that abandoned school. And then coming home to find you were missing—"

              GM stopped and looked up at me.

              "I'm sorry I kept this secret from you. I suppose in a way, I was trying to keep it secret from myself, too. I didn't want to get hurt again. I didn't want to look foolish if it fell apart again."

              "You could never look foolish to me," I said.

              GM brushed back a lock of my hair.

              "My dear girl. What would I do without you?"

              She tilted her head. "Why don't you come with us?"

              "Ballroom dancing?" I said.

              "Yes. You and your young man. The classes are open. Anyone can drop in."

              "I think I'd like that," I said. "I'll ask William what he thinks."

              Two hours later, GM, Mr. Fehr, William and I all took a ballroom dancing class, and after the class, Mr. Fehr drove us all home. And GM actually went into the house alone, and let William and me say goodnight on the porch outside.

              "I had fun tonight," I said and kissed William.

              "So did I," he said, and we kissed again.

              "What was your favorite part?" I asked. "The foxtrot or the samba? Or was it the—"

              "My favorite part," William said, "is this moment right now."

              We kissed again, and I felt the whole world melt away.