Change in Harmony (A Silver Script Novel Book 4) by Jaclyn Weist

emotion. “But if you two need to practice, we could always go there first.”
    Allison looked at him with surprise. “Really?”
    “You told me you needed to practice. The university isn’t too far from where I have reservations. You could practice and then we can go from there.” He paused. “If that works for Darren.”
    Darren nodded. “We could do that. The audition is only a couple of weeks away and we’re not anywhere near ready.”
    “Okay, let me grab my other shoes.”
    The cab ride to the university was probably one of the most awkward ten minutes of Allison’s life, and she was relieved when they could climb out. Darren opened the door to the classroom and went over to the stereo to pick the right music.             
    Allison turned to Nate. “Thank you for letting us practice.”
    Nate smiled. “Of course. I know how worried you were about this.”
    “Yes, but you also just put off our date so I could dance with him.” Allison beamed up at him.  Most guys wouldn’t have let her go off and dance with someone else when they were supposed to go out to dinner.
    “This is important to you. Besides, I like watching you dance.” He looked over her shoulder and went over to sit on a bench.
    Allison sat and quickly changed shoes before walking over to Darren. “Let’s go all the way through and then we can decide what needs to be worked on from there.”
    “I was going to say the same thing.” He pushed play and they went through the movements.
    Allison concentrated on the angle of her arms, the way she held her body, and her leg movement. The dress she’d chosen to wear whipped out around her as he spun her around. He seemed to keep her closer to him, lingering with each move as if he didn’t want to let go. The spark that had been there before was back, and it made their dance that much smoother. And the longing in his eyes … She blinked, pushing the thought away as she remembered the man sitting on the bench in the corner of the room. He was the one who had her heart. When the song ended, Darren dipped her, then pulled her toward him so they were face to face.
    Nate stood and clapped, breaking Darren’s gaze as he looked over and glared. He let go of Allison and turned back to the stereo.
    “Let’s do that again. We lost the rhythm for a few beats near the middle, and we have to make sure it works.” He glanced over. “Make sure you’re counting right or we’ll be off when the song is done.”
    “I was counting. It was you who stepped wrong right there.” Her response was sharp, but his tone stung. He was never that harsh to her while they danced.
    He smirked but didn’t say anything else. They went through the dance two more times, and it was clear neither of them were into the dance. The moves were sharper, and Allison felt better about going into the competition, but Darren’s comments had only gotten worse. When he demanded one more time, Nate stood.
    “No, I think we’re done here. Our reservations are in twenty minutes, and that barely gives us time to get there.” Nate took Allison’s hand. “We’ll see you at the competition.”
    Allison looked up at him in surprise but didn’t say anything until they’d left the building. “You’re coming?”
    “I wouldn’t miss it. Especially if he’s that rude to you again.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her in. It was the first time he’d held her that close, and she loved how at home she felt there.
    “He’s never been like this. Pretty sure you intimidated him.” Allison laughed. “So where are we going to eat?”
    Nate was silent for a moment. “My apartment.”
    Allison stopped walking. “Your apartment?”
    “Yep. I figured we’d had enough soup to last a lifetime, and I wanted to cook for you. We could do it at your place instead if you want.”
    “But you said … were you lying to Darren?” Allison tried really hard not to laugh, but it was hard when Nate blushed. Yes,