Her eyes closed. His gaze stayed.
Almost Together
They reached the end at exactly the same moment. Neither looked pleased.
Sofía lowered her arms. Daniel released his hand from her waist and stepped back, leaving a blue-and-white ruffle to settle between them.
“Again?” he asked.
She rubbed the place where a loose curl had been tickling her cheek.
“In a minute.”
They were rehearsing for a small evening performance. They had danced together before, knew the music, and could each manage the short passage alone. Together, something felt hurried.
Daniel looked towards the speaker. Sofía bent to free her skirt from the edge of her shoe.
“We’re finishing on time,” he said.
“Yes.”
She straightened.
“I’m just not quite there when we arrive.”
That Particular Moment
He turned the music off.
“Show me where.”
Sofía walked through the passage, stopping just before the turn. Without the music, the little scuff of her shoe sounded unexpectedly loud.
“Here. I’m still bringing this foot round, and you’re already moving into the next part.”
Daniel took his place beside her.
“I thought you wanted me to keep it going.”
“I do. But not before I’ve got here.”
She placed her foot and looked up.
“Here.”
He nodded. He had been watching for the shape they were supposed to make at the finish. In his head, he could see it clearly: her arm extended, his stance settled, the skirt opening around them.
He had been trying to get them there.
“Let’s start closer to the turn,” he said.
They tried it slowly. This time he waited so long that Sofía stopped and looked at him.
“I’m ready now.”
“I was making sure.”
Her mouth curved.
“You could ask.”
Within the Turn
They stood together again. Daniel placed his hand where they had agreed, and Sofía rested hers at his shoulder.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
They moved through the passage. It felt odd at first, with so much attention on a part they usually hurried past. Sofía completed the step. Daniel moved with her, and the turn carried them towards the finish without that small feeling of being pulled ahead.
She let out a breath.
“That.”
He smiled.
“That?”
“Yes. Can we try it with the music?”
Daniel pressed play, then came back to her. She adjusted the flower in her hair while they waited for their place.
The opening notes passed. Her skirt brushed his leg. This time, he noticed the moment her weight settled before they turned.
Sofía felt the change too. She no longer had to hurry the last small part of her step to catch him.
They came close within the turn. For a brief instant her eyes closed, her face near his. He kept his gaze on her, then they opened into the ending they had been trying to reach.
The blue fabric swept past his black shoe.
Neither added a last, hurried adjustment.
Once Again
They held the finish until the music moved on.
Then Sofía laughed softly and lowered her arm. Daniel glanced at the speaker, almost expecting it to explain why that attempt had felt so different.
“Better?”
She nodded.
He reached to stop the track. Behind him, a chair creaked as she sat to take a drink.
“We can leave that part now,” he said. “Try the next one.”
Sofía put down her glass.
“Could we do it once more?”
Daniel turned.
“Was I early?”
“No.”
“Too slow?”
“No.”
She stood and held out her hand.
“I’d just like that one again.”
He came back, smiling, and waited for her to take her place.
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