“Gorgeous,” Caleb said to him with a kiss when Archer came off the stage. “You two are so hot together. Makes me kinda … hot.” He squeezed Archer’s hips and gave him a meaningful look.

The swirl in Archer’s stomach was more apprehension than excitement. “Thanks,” he said. “But you’d better get out there.”

“Okay, but I’ll be thinking about you…” Caleb winked before taking Ben’s hand and cha-cha-ing onto the stage. Archer turned to go find his water and saw Mateo watching him.

“So … you and Caleb?” Mateo asked, casting a sidelong glance around to make sure no one else was listening.

Archer blinked. “Me and Caleb what?”

Mateo rolled his eyes. “You know what I mean. You and Caleb are together?”

“Um…” Archer blinked some more. “Maybe? We haven’t really talked about it.”

Mateo nodded with pursed lips. “Be careful. You’re here to work, not fuck around.”

Irritation flared in Archer’s chest. “I guess I can do whatever I want while I’m here, can’t I, as long as I do my job?” Mateo didn’t get to treat him like he didn’t exist, then tell him how to live his life a minute later.

“You think it’s smart to get involved with someone you have to perform with every night for three months?”

“Your concern is not needed,” Archer said crisply. “I’m a grown-up, and I can make my own decisions, thank you.”

Mateo shrugged, giving cool indifference back. “Fine. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Fuming, Archer ignored the voice that told him he didn’t need to get the last word. “You’re an expert in workplace relationships, are you?”

Hurt flashed over Mateo’s face, and Archer instantly regretted it.

He stepped over to Archer and grabbed his hand.

“What are you—?” Archer started, but Mateo was pulling him onto the stage. Oh, right. Time to cha-cha.

After the show, Archer kissed Caleb hard, making sure Mateo saw. He was perfectly capable of making his own choices, thank you. And when Caleb smiled and slid his hands around Archer’s waist and kissed him back, it was easy to feel like it was the right one.

The rest of the debut performances went as smoothly—Urban Beat Wednesday, Around the World Thursday, Broadway Boulevard Friday, and rounding out the week, the contemporary From the Heart on Saturday. The partying toned down after the first show, especially since they were still rehearsing every morning, making sure everything was locked up before Stewart left.

“Oh, my darlings,” Stewart purred after the last show of the week, grabbing each dancer and kissing them on both cheeks. “You have made this old man happy. Look at you. Yes, even you, Dominik,” he said, shaking his head affectionately. “You have already moved beyond the need for my guidance. I am irrelevant!”

“Noooo,” they sang in chorus.