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“Hip-hop is your thing, right?” she interrupts my doubt.

I nod, too shocked to speak.

“You put it as your favorite style on your audition paperwork, and I may have looked up some of your old videos at Prime.”

She looked me up?

“Yeah, I mean, I love it,” I answer with excitement, feeling after several days of just going through the motions that I’m finally getting a chance to be myself, even if it’s just for this short car ride.

“So, choreograph this for me. You have the next three stops—I want to release this song in Nashville.”

“What!” I practically shriek.

“You’re so talented, Fia. I’ve seen what you can do, and I know you can do this. Will you, please?” With praying hands, Haven pokes her bottom lip out, moments from begging.

This can’t be real. Haven Rivers wants me to choreograph a dance for her. And in three weeks? I mean, that’s doable, but with how busy we are, I hope I have the time to give her exactly what she wants.

“Of course. I couldn’t say no to something like this.” Genuine happiness glides across my face.

“Ahh! This is the best news ever. Oh, and if you can find a place to practice away from the rest of the dancers, that would be better. I’d like to keep a secret for as long as we can, and I’ll come check in from time to time, or send Rika just to make sure you’re good to go. Whatever you need.”

My face scrunches. Something about even Rika knowing about what’s happening, though she likely does already, makes me hesitant. I like that this is just between Haven and I. Something about the secrecy feels safe.

“No problem at all,” I assure her.

Finding a studio at every stop of our tour sounds like one more thing added to my new very long to-do list, but fuck it. This opportunity is why I came on this tour to begin with.

This could change everything.

“Perfect. Whatever you need, you have my number. Don’t be afraid to reach out, okay?”

I give her a tight-lipped smile, my best attempt at maintaining professionalism as the car comes to a halt. Back at our hotel, the lowering sunset brings pleasure to every step as I make my way to the lobby.

Before even hearing the song, my mind races with possible moves and combinations I can piece together. The comfort of doing something I love, mixed with the distraction it’s providing, makes my yes even that much more worthwhile.

When I reach the elevator, out comes Shannon in a skimpy hot-pink workout set. Trading places, she makes it to the other side of the elevator while I step where she just was.

“Hey, wait.” She hurries before the door closes.

“Hi...” I answer, a bit shy and uncertain if I want to dabble in this game of Russian roulette with her.

“What you did today was…cool.” Her voice quivers, almost like praising me is painful.

I nod, because there aren’t many words I can come up with that’ll make this less uncomfortable. She must agree, because without a second thought, she turns her shoulder, walking toward the hotel gym.

Before my door can close, she turns back.

“We’re all going to Private Landing tonight since we have tomorrow off. You should come. It’ll be fun.”

Private Landing is a club here that I’ve been dying to go to since I turned twenty-one. It’s all over the internet for being the best club in Miami.

Unsure what to do with her kindness, I speak before I can convince myself to retreat.

“Okay, yeah. What time should I be ready?”

“We’re leaving at ten. Meet us in the lobby, and wear something hot.” Then the doors in front of me close, as she disappears toward the gym.

For a moment, I return to the old me. The one with more opportunities than she knows what to do with. The happy girl. The girl who never misses a chance to party.