Chapter Forty

Freddie brought me out to the side of the dance floor. He didn't bring me to the center though, but to a small space off to the side. It almost felt like we were hiding. Freddie was supposed to dance in the center where everyone could see him, but he'd taken me to the side of the dance floor near the edge and against the wall.

Like I wasn't good enough to be seen with him. Like I didn't matter enough to take center stage.

We'll have more privacy this way, I told myself, trying not to see the worst. Besides, you hate being the center of attention.

It felt good to be in Freddie's arms. Soft music drifted around us, changing from a waltz to a foxtrot.

Foxtrot was my worst dance, but I didn't want to pull away from Freddie. I didn't want to disappoint him. I'd already disappointed him last night. I didn't want to do it again. I managed thirty seconds of terrible dancing before I stepped on Freddie's foot.

He winced, gasping hard enough that the dancers next to us glanced over. The heel of