Chispa Quotes

“Claire shook her head. “I’m not that young. In dance years I’m practically middle-aged. I can probably compete for another ten years, but once I hit thirty, I’ll be ancient. That’s why it’s so important to compete in Blackpool now, I don’t have time to waste. Once I’ve made a name for myself as a dancer, then I can relax a little and take it easy.”
“And here I thought I’d been partnered with a nice young lady,” Luca joked. “Are those highlights or grey hairs?”
Claire scowled. “That’s not funny.”
“What’s funny is your Cuban motion,” Luca continued, “I thought your hips were stiff because you’re not used to moving them, but maybe you just have arthritis.”
“Seriously,” Claire’s mouth twitched, “stop it.”
“Or what, you’re going to chase after me with your cane, Grandma?”
― Ruby Fink, Chispa: One’s Passion

“As they continued to dance, Claire saw the stern lines drop away from her mother's face, and her furrowed brow relaxed, replaced with a faraway look in her eyes. She looked serene and almost peaceful, as Leon guided her into another promenade, and she lifted her leg up into a developè. Claire felt a tinge of envy, wishing she could have what her parents had.
At first glance, you wouldn’t think that the gentle Frenchman and the irritable Russian would have had much compatibility, but somehow, they had managed to take their partnership and turn it into twenty years of marriage.”
― Ruby Fink, Chispa: One’s Passion

“Claire tilted her head back, giving Luca her best fake smile.
“Ortiz, I don’t think those basic dance lessons have sunk in. I’m the follower, remember? That’s not in my job description.”
“Call it common courtesy then.” Luca’s grip around her waist tightened slightly, and Claire belatedly realized she was still pressed against his chest, one hand resting on the bare V of smooth skin.
“Just as I kept you from falling, you could be more aware of your surroundings and not crash into people.”
“Well—” Claire opened her mouth to voice a pithy retort, but nothing came out.
“And while we’re on the subject of courtesy,” Luca’s dark eyes mocked her. “People usually say ‘thank you’ when someone does them a favor.”
― Ruby Fink, Chispa: One’s Passion

“Though Claire could admit Luca was a talented dancer, there was something intangible about him that she didn't like. Maybe it was the fact that even in three-inch heels she had to look up to meet his gaze. Or the eyes that were coal black and seemed to burn with their own hidden fires. Or maybe it was Luca’s beautiful face, gifted by some unfair god and surrounded by a halo of dark curls. But probably the thing that annoyed Claire the most was Luca’s tendency to mock her at every turn, ensuring every encounter was a series of sniping matches where Luca usually emerged with the upper hand.”
― Ruby Fink, Chispa: One’s Passion