“Fine. Maybe not. But I do think you’ll admit by the end of the day that I’m right.”

“Not a chance,” he says.

I step back and shake out my skirt. I’m trying, unsuccessfully, to shake off the magnetic attraction I feel for Will.

“Come on then. First stop.” I cross the street to Miss Lydia’s Dance Studio.

If anyone can convince Will that soul mates are real, it’s Miss Lydia. She’s seventy years old, as fit and spunky as a twenty-five-year-old, and she’s taught half the wedded couples in town their wedding dance.

“Jessie, congratulations!” she cries when Will and I step into the studio. “I heard Erma saw your soul mate.”

She steps away from the ballet barre and rushes toward us. She’s in a leotard and tights. Her mom and tots ballet class is in thirty minutes. Lydia stops in front of us and looks Will up and down.

“Hmm. You’ll do. You’re a lucky man, Jessie takes care of all the strays, castaways, and lonely folk. Her library programs help so many. If you hurt her, we'll form a mob and tear you to pieces.” Lydia ends in a serious tone at odds with the sweet smile on her face.

I choke on a cough. She thinks Will is my soul mate and she’s threatening him.

“No, he’s—”

“I won’t hurt her,” Will says a solemn voice.

I look over at him. He holds up his hand like he’s on the witness stand.

"I solemnly swear,” he says.

Lydia stares at him a moment and then starts to cackle. “I like this one. He’s got chutzpah, Jessie. I always thought you’d do well with chutzpah. No namby-pamby for you.”

“But—” I start, but Will moves over and steps on my toe. I squeak. “Hey!”

“What’s that?” Lydia asks.

“I was going to say, he’s not—”

“A good dancer. Or informed on soul mates. Jessie said you know all about Romeo’s soul mates.”

Lydia smiles and waves her hands in front of her in some sort of elegant dance gesture. “I do. I can tell you all about it while I assess your dancing.”

“Perfect,” Will says.

I frown at him. “Why are you letting her believe you’re my soul mate?” I whisper.

He leans close and whispers back, “Why are you believing I’m not?”

My mind goes blank. I stop and stare at him. Lydia claps her hands and I come back to the moment.

“Come to the dance floor,” she says.

Will strides out. I follow him, but I’m hesitant and skittish. I’m not certain what he’s going to say or do next.

His soul mate?

No.

Except… No.