Overview

When the ground slips, who do you trust to catch you?

Ivy Calder is a first-year dance major who believes in lines and control—until a sunrise misstep puts her in the path of Darya Kade, a fighter whose steadiness is learned the hard way. What begins as a careful spot on the track becomes a quiet pact in the gym: ask before you touch, speak before you spin out, and choose the rules that keep you safe.

As campus buzz builds toward the Spring Metro Open, sanctioned bouts and studio showings share the same breath counts. Whispers of “private showcases” promise shortcuts—and the wrong kind of bravery. Ivy and Darya refuse the spectacle, building something stronger: routines that hold on bad days, a found family that crowds the bleachers, and a language where consent is more than a word—it’s the way they love.

Technique over theatrics. Safety over noise. Slow-burn heat that lands on trust. If you’re looking for tenderness with teeth—discipline, devotion, and a love story that keeps its promises—open this book and follow the breath in.

Trust the catch. Start reading now.