5
By the time I rejoined the group, two more pairs of contestants had arrived. Zoe was still holding court, regaling everyone with tales of her competition glory.
I listened for a moment, then casually remarked, “Dance Fever, huh? Ithink I remember that one.”
Every head in the group swiveled toward me.
Zoe’s triumphant smile faltered, but she still managed a smug, “Pretty impressive, right?”
I offered a small, knowing smile. “I was invited, but I couldn’t make it.”
“Why not?”
“I was in Europe for The Monaco Grand Prix of Dance.”
She was completely hooked now, her eyes widening in disbelief. “What place did you get?”
Anyone in the dance world knew The Monaco Grand Prix was one of the most prestigious competitions on the planet.
Chapter 1
10:29
Anyone in the dance world knew The Monaco Grand Prix was one of the most prestigious competitions on the planet.
The comments flew across the screen:
“She’s gotta be lying. Does she know how elite the Monaco Grand Prix is?”
“The competitors are the best of the best from every country. If she’s that good, how is her brother such a dud?”
I lifted my gaze, and with everyone waiting with bated breath, I said, my face a perfect deadpan, “Oh, I was on the judging panel.”
Zoe just stared.
The silence stretched for a full ten seconds.
Finally, Zoe’s voice shot up, cracking. “You’re lying! You’re only in your twenties, there’s no way!”
I tilted my head. “The Monaco Grand Prix has twelve different regional circuits. I was just a judge for one of them, not the grand finals.” Then, as if a thought just occurred to me, I glanced at the dumbstruck Adam and let out a small, sharp laugh. “Twelve regi-
ons. How funny. Just like your rank.”
Adam looked like he’d been slapped.
Zoe was practically vibrating with rage. “Impossible! You’re making it all up!”
I looked at her like she was the dumbest person I’d ever met. “The list of judges is public record. You can look it up online.” I paus- ed, then added sweetly, “Oh, and by the way, the name’s Aria. Aria Serrano.”
