Ooh! That sounds beautiful, she replied. I’ll suggest that for our next date. I think we’re going out tomorrow night. Thanks, Arch! How are things going with you? Mateo in love with you yet?

Lol. Mateo is all business. He barely talks to me. But … remember Caleb? The one who stole all my clothes? Turns out … he’s kinda cute.

Oh yeah? Like fuckable cute?

Archer considered for a moment. Maybe? I don’t think it’ll be anything serious, but …

Get it, girl. Keep me posted. And GOOD LUCK TOMORROW! BREAK A LEG!

Thanks, babe. You too.

Sunday rehearsal went smoothly. Archer was confident with Retro, which they would perform tomorrow on their opening night. Latin was always fun—even though Mateo barely looked at him when they weren’t dancing—and hip-hop felt good, too. There was more to learn later in the week, but he was ready enough.

Archer was pulling his sweats on after rehearsal when Mateo approached.

“Archer, can I talk to you for a second?”

He sucked in a breath and waited for Mateo to give him shit about his turnout again. “Yeah, what’s up?”

“I was just wondering if you wanted some extra rehearsal? I don’t mind meeting with you a few times to go over the choreo this week. You’ve had a lot to take in, and we haven’t even gotten to contemporary yet.”

Archer’s stomach dropped. Wow, he must think I’m absolute garbage. Didn’t offer it to any of the Bs. “Sure, I guess, if you think I need it.”

“It’s not that—we have a pas de deux in that show. Thought we could at least start blocking it out before the group rehearsal.”

“What? We do?” Archer’s brow furrowed. Why on earth would they give him a pas de deux with Mateo fucking Dixon?

Mateo read his confusion. “They were looking for a male ballet dancer at the audition specifically for this. They chose you.”

“They were? They did?” The weirdest feeling blossomed in Archer’s chest.

“Well, yeah.” Something close to a smile threatened to creep over Mateo’s face.

The words swirled around his brain. Why was Mateo being so nice to him? It was hard to swallow with the lump in his throat. “Thanks,” he scratched out.

“So … do you want some extra rehearsal?”

“Yeah. Yes. Yes, please. Definitely.”

Mateo’s eyes softened. “If you want to watch Eva tonight, we can do it after the first show?”

“Sure. Where, though, if the theater is full?”

“Yeah, there’s not really anywhere great, but if you find me at the cabin after, let’s say at eight, I’ll show you.”