It wasn't a request. It was a command. At the same instant, Bentley quickly whispered into Sara's ear. "You don't mind if I dance with her, do you?"

Sara's heart stilled. It was such a random act of kindness on his part. She vigorously nodded her head. "Of course! I could never say no to that."

The manager's face had paled. He seemed at a loss for words. With a defeated sigh, he waved a hand in the air, indicating his approval.

The girl, looking incredibly relieved, took Bentley's hand. "Thank you SO much! I'm Clara." She studied Bentley's outfit. "Wow, your tuxedo is super fancy. I've never seen anything like it."

Bentley led her towards the middle of the dance floor. "I'm Bentley. Nice to meet you, Clara."

She smiled widely at him. "You have a nice, deep voice. So why are you wearing a mask? We'll be on national television, you know."

"I make this mask look good," Bentley said.

Clara tossed back her head and let out a loud laugh.

Bentley threw Sara a brief grin. His eyes sparkled in the bright lights.

Sara had found a chair off to the side of the stage. Watching him teach Clara how to foxtrot had caused her heart to melt into a pile of mush at her feet.

Kurt and Ella had finally come downstairs.

"Why is Bentley dancing with someone else?" Ella hissed. She stood beside Sara on the side of the stage.

"He's being nice," Sara said.

"Well...who am I supposed to dance with?" Ella grumbled. She put her hands on her hips and tapped her foot irritably.

Sara noticed the production assistant, who'd given Bentley a mask, was staring puppy-eyed hearts at Ella. She considered asking him to dance with Ella. But she decided Ella probably wouldn't like that. And the extremely strict manager likely wouldn't either.

"Kurt will dance with you, right Kurt?" Sara asked. She smiled up at him.

"You don't want to dance anymore, Little Bunny?" he asked, squeezing her shoulders.

Sara giggled. "I already got my chance in the spotlight." She winked at Ella. "It's your turn now, girl! Go shine like a star on television."

Ella let out a dramatic sigh. "All right. Fine. Whatever. Come on, Kurt. I happen to be an amazing foxtrot dancer."

Kurt raised his eyebrows to Sara as Ella pulled him away. "She's terrible," he mouthed to Sara.

Sara covered her face with her hands, laughing hysterically.

"Places, everyone!" the manager called. "Cue the music. Let's go for light and airy, like the ocean, this time." He tapped his clipboard with his pencil. "Pro dancers, help out our newcomers. Make sure nobody steps on anyone else's toes."

Once again, the lights dimmed. Fog smoke spiraled out of hidden smoke machines and floated across the floor. Strobe lights flashed like happy fireworks.

As Bentley waltzed with Clara, every so often, his twinkling, chocolate milk eyes, would find Sara. The heat of his stare sent her heart twirling in little pirouettes around the room.