Love Waltzes In (Dancing Under The Stars) by Alana Albertson Page A

ever an equal relationship. He was our coach, Sel. He started training you when you were eight and he was twenty. It’s just weird.”
    Her nose twitched. “Yeah, you’re right. But as you said. Who else would want to date me with my lifestyle?”
    “Maybe you need to reevaluate your lifestyle and make sure you are living the life you want. You always wanted children. Even when we were kids ourselves, that’s all you’d talk about. You aren’t getting any younger. Just don’t want to see you miss out on something that was so important to you once.”
    Selena turned to Bret and placed her hand on his thigh. A warmth shot through Bret’s body. She had a tear in her eye and she didn’t even bother to wipe it away. “I did want children, Bret. With you. I knew Dima wouldn’t make a great father. He gets frustrated with kids. You remember how he was with us. Always yelling at us when we made mistakes. Kicking our feet ‘til they bled. No patience.” She took a deep breath. “I just don’t know what I want anymore. My life has changed so much since back when we were together. But I need this title Bret. I could get kicked off the show tomorrow. My mom sacrificed so much for my dancing lessons. All those competitions and costumes weren’t cheap. I have to pay her back. If I win Blackpool, I’ll be able to judge.”
    A few more tears stained her face. Bret wasn’t sure what to do but his instinct to comfort her took over. He pulled her toward his chest and just held her. And he didn’t want to ever let go.

     
    Chapter Twelve
     
    Selena picked up Dima at the San Francisco airport that Friday. After her emotional talk with Bret, she told Dima that she needed to see him and he cleared his schedule. He was also excited that since there was a ballroom competition in the city that weekend, he would be able to teach some lessons.
    She was halfway to the terminal to greet Dima before she realized that she needed to use the bathroom. Darn. She looked at her watch. She didn’t want miss him. Busting left, she cut around a corner and made a beeline to restrooms. She ducked into the ladies room, freshened up, then dashed back out again, making a left in front of the men’s room—running smack into two guys making out.
    “Oh! Sorry, guys,” she mumbled and looked down at her feet, shielding her face from embarrassment. “I totally wasn’t looking.”
    “No worries,” she heard. His buddy cracked up and they ran into the men’s room, covering their faces.
    No worries? I know that voice!
    She whipped her head back for a look and saw Eric and some man plowing through the restroom door. Not that she needed to see—she knew Eric’s voice when she heard it. Eric, as in Nicole’s husband . Good God! The couple with the only perfect ballroom marriage. He had been their original coach for five years before she met Dima; she just knew that was Eric.
    He must’ve been in town for the competition. Where was N icole? Selena practically stumbled to the baggage claim.
    Eric kissing a guy ? Nicole would totally freak out if she knew. Or . . . maybe she did know. Oh, God, that was not possible, was it? They’re Cinderella and Prince Charming—if their love wasn’t real then there was no hope for the rest of the dancers. Nicole gave up her career to have a baby with Eric. Whenever Selena doubted that she could have a successful relationship and a dancing career, she always came back to “if Eric and Nicole can make it work, so can I.” What did this mean?
    Selena wanted a drink. She scanned the baggage claim for Dima. No sign of him. Good, she needed to process what had just happened.
    There was no way Nicole knew. This was so bad. If the fairy tale wasn’t real, then what was the point of it all? The only men she’d ever been with in her entire life were Dima and Bret. Even though she and Dima were not romantically involved, in some way she figured they would always end up together. She felt bound to him. They had