Chelsie ushered their surprise guest into the apartment, about to offer him a drink, when Leilani came barrelling out of her bedroom.

“Uncle Gevvy!” She launched herself at the slight man and he expertly caught her, flinging her over his head and around his back before setting her down lightly.

“Leilani – bani! Look how big you are!” Gev ruffled her curls. “You’re almost as big as your mommy.”

“And you.” Leilani smiled proudly.

“Ouch.” Gev jokingly put his hand over his heart. “Short jokes really hurt when they come from someone even smaller than you.”

Leilani giggled as she climbed onto Gev’s lap. “I was just kidding.”

“I know kiddo, we’re cool.” He put out his palm for a high five, which Leilani loudly gave him. “So how have you been, Chelsie?”

As she poured a mug of steaming coffee, Chelsie tried to fake a smile. “I’m fine.”

“You look tired.” Gev observed. “You haven’t been working overtime have you?”

“No, it’s just…stuff…it’s a long story.” Chelsie sighed. “A long, confusing, story.”

“Hey!” Leilani exclaimed.

“Leilani, you say excuse me.” Chelsie admonished.

“Sorry. Excuse me, Uncle Gevvy. I watched you and mommy dancing.”

Gev looked down at the little girl. “You did?”

“Yeah, you were good, but not as good as daddy.”

“Leilani!” Chelsie’s face turned a slight shade of pink. “I’m sorry Gev.”

“It’s okay.” Gev chuckled. “What kind of daughter would she be if she thought I was a better dancer than her daddy?” Gev lifted Leilani off his lap, placing her in front of him, holding her chin in his fingers. “Your daddy was a very good dancer, honey.” He gave her a quick hug. “I’m going to talk to your mom for a minute, okay? Then maybe you can show me some of your moves.”

“Yay!” Leilani cheered. “I’ll go get some music!” Gev watched her run out of the room, laughing when she starting bouncing and leaping once she thought she was out of sight.

“You’ve got your hands full there.” he chuckled.

“She keeps me busy.” Chelsie admitted. “So, what did you need to talk to me about, Gev?”

Gev took a sip from his coffee and stared across the table at Chelsie. “Sylvia tells me you aren’t going to dance in the show.”

“Gev, I haven’t danced in five years.”

“You dance every day.”

Chelsie waved her hand. “That’s not dancing.”

“This show is going to be special. It’s our two year anniversary, we’ve got some really good students and teachers. I want to highlight all our talent. I really want you to dance in the show, Chelsie.”

“Gev…” Chelsie started to protest.

“I want to dance with you in the show.”

Chelsie could see Mark’s mouth turn down in a frown as he twisted his body slightly away, not wanting to see her pick another person’s name out of the hat. She didn’t really want to switch partners either, but it was the rules. She snuck a quick peek at the card. “Oh Gev…” She called out, acting coy.

Gev bounded over with a grin on his face and hugged her, lifting her slightly off the ground. Out of the corner of her eye, Chelsie could see Mark’s jaw tighten, and then relax as the couple came back to the waiting area.

“You be good to her. She’s pretty special.” Mark warned as he held Chelsie close to him.

“I don’t see Chelsie giving Kherington special care instructions.” Gev teased, as Courtney tackled Chelsie, pulling her away from Mark, rushing backstage to change and gossip.

“I mean it.” Mark said, his voice low.

“Mark, it’s cool. No one on this show is blind. “We know you two are together.”

“Huh?” Mark’s face held a look of total confusion.

“You, Chelsie, together.” Gev twined his hands together and made an obscene gesture with his fingers.

“We haven’t…” Mark protested.

“Sure.”

“No!”

“I’ll take care of her, Mark. I promise.”

Chelsie twisted uncomfortably in her chair. “I don’t know Gev. It’s been so long. I haven’t danced with a partner since the tour, really.”

Gev reached across the table and grasped her hand in his. “Why don’t you come to dinner with me and we can talk about it?”

Chelsie let her hand rest in Gev’s for a brief moment, before she pulled it away. She could feel her cheeks start to redden. “It’s been a long time since I’ve done that too.” She admitted.

“You haven’t been out with anyone since…?” Gev let the rest of his question remain unvoiced.

“Being a single mom to a busy little girl doesn’t leave much time for socializing.”

“Then you need to get out.” Gev stood up, moving around the table to stand in front of her. “Call your mom, call Sylvia, call somebody to look after Leilani tonight. We need to catch up. I am taking you out to dinner.”

Before Chelsie could argue, Gev had pushed the phone in her hand and left the room to start his dance battle with Leilani.