We finished eating and Luca drove me to the warehouse. I sat on the couch and watched their practice. I was without a partner and pregnant, so I couldn’t really practice anyway. I wasn’t even paying to everyone; I was lost in my thoughts. All of the sudden, Luca was standing in front of me, holding out his hand. I looked around and noticed that everyone was gone.
“Come on,” he said softly. I looked at him curiously and took his hand.
“What are you doing?” I asked. He started the music before he came back to me and wrapped an arm around my waist.
“We’re dancing,” he said as he took my hand in his. I sighed and tried to take a step away from him.
“Luca,” I said.
“No,” he said, pulling me to him again. “When you were dancing, you were happy.”
“When I was dancing with Hayden, I was happy,” I corrected him. He sighed and took a step towards me, making me take a step back. One two three, one two three; over and over again. He smiled lightly.
“See? It’s just a simply waltz... Nothing fancy,” he said. I sighed and followed his lead. I didn’t want to admit it, but it was helping. After a moment, I found a small smile creeping on to my face. “There you go,” he said softly. He spun me out and stepped up behind me. We continued the three step with Luca behind me. He picked me up and spun my once bringing me back to face him. I laughed when my feet hit the ground again. I missed dancing. We stopped and Luca smiled lightly at me.
“I haven’t heard you laugh in two months,” he said. I looked at the floor as I blushed. I was beginning to feel guilty for having fun when Hayden was laying in a coma. My smile fell and I covered my face with my hands briefly. I puffed out a breath and pulled my fingers through my hair.
“I can’t,” I said as tears brimmed my eyes. Luca sighed before he pulled me into a hug.
“Everything is going to be okay, Jo. With or without Hayden, you’re a strong girl. You’ll get through it,” he said. I squeezed my eyes shut as a tremor shook me. I didn’t want to think about moving on without Hayden.
“I don’t know how much longer I can do this,” I cried. Luca rubbed my back gently.
“Maybe it’s time for you to get away from here for a little bit,” he suggested.
“I’m not leaving him,” I sobbed.
“Listen, Jo,” he started as he pulled away. He put his hands on my shoulders and bent to look me in the eyes. “Hayden’s outcome is up in the air right now, but you are still alive and well. It doesn’t make any sense to jeopardize you and your baby’s health because of his. Hayden is like my brother and it hurts me to see him that way, but I can’t put my life on pause until he wakes up. He wouldn’t want me to… and he wouldn’t want you to do that either,” Luca said. I sniffled and looked away from him.
“You wouldn’t understand,” I said hoarsely.
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