Naturally his mother would give out his number without consulting him.Unbelievable.
“Thanks again.” Mom hurried back to him. “Now we’re ready to go.”
As they walked out of the studio, she pouted. “It’s too bad the café is closed. I’d love a cup of Anita’s chai right now.” She stopped on the sidewalk in front of her car and pulled out her phone.
“What are you doing?” he asked as she ran her thumb over her screen.
“Calling her.”
“You’re not going to ask her to come down here and make you tea, are you?”
She scoffed and pressed the phone to her ear. “Anita. Hello. Your brother and I are here at the dance studio... Yes, we both took a lesson, and guess what? Kingston and I are going to be assistant teachers!”
Kingston rolled his eyes and looked around Main Street. It had been over a year since he’d last been here, and not much had changed, other than the dance studio opening. However, in the past three years there had been some developments to the main drag in Maple Falls. All the facades were painted and refreshed, including the last empty building on the street. Then there were the two new businesses—Anita’s café and Sunny’s dance studio. Progress was happening here, and he was glad to see it.
“So you don’t mind if we stop by for a little while?”Mom said. “Wonderful. We’ll see you soon. Ta-ta for now.” She put her phone in her purse. “Anita invited us for a visit.”
More like Mom invited herself. It was up to Anita to decide whether she wanted company or not. “Okay. I’ll meet you at her house.”
“Splendid!” She hugged him. “I’m so excited we’ll be working at the studio together, Kingston.” She pulled back, her expression turning serious. “It means a lot to me that you said yes.”
And with that, any doubt about accepting the assistant position disappeared. “I’m happy, too, Mom. Let’s get to Anita’s before it gets late.”
“See you in a few.” She waved to him, then got in her car.
He had parked a few feet in front of his sister’s café. As he opened the driver-side door, he glanced at the intersection at the end of the block. If he took a left at the light, he would be near the Maple Falls Library. And if he continued driving a few more minutes, he would be at Olivia’s house. He’d been there exactly once, years ago, when Anita had thrown her a housewarming party. He’d put in only a scant appearance, dropping off a bottle of white wine he’d bought at the last minute, not knowing if she preferred red, or even if she drank wine. He still didn’t know.
Kingston got into his car and started the engine. What he did know was that he had unfinished business with Olivia, and one way or another, he was going to talk to her next week.
***
“I’m sorry about your ankle, Aunt Bea.” Olivia plopped down on the couch, fighting for a measured tone, still infuriated not only that Kingston had been at the studio tonight but also that she’d been forced to dance with him.
“It’ll be fine, sugar.” Aunt Bea’s tired voice sounded over the speaker. “I should have paid more attention to that last step on the staircase. I’ve had ice on it most of the day, and the swelling’s gone down. Your uncle Bill has been taking good care of me.”
Olivia didn’t doubt that. Her uncle doted on Aunt Bea, and that was always sweet to witness. “Do you need me to bring you anything?”
“No. I’m just glad you called. Now, how was your dance lesson? Who was there? Did you have fun?”
Olivia dug her bare toes into the gray rug in front of her couch. When she hadn’t seen Aunt Bea and Uncle Bill at the studio tonight, she’d gotten a little worried, since she knew they had intended to come. Her plan had been to take the lesson, then find out what was going on. But then Kingston had shown up, twisting her stomach into knots. When his mother had made her switch partners, she’d been furious. It was bad enough dancing next to him. Worse to be in his arms again.
His strong arms.
“Olivia? Are you still there?”
“Yes.” She scowled at her wayward thoughts and answered the rest of her aunt’s questions.
“Oh, I wish I could have been there,” Aunt Bea said with a chuckle. “If only to see Erma and Jasper fancy dancing together. How’d they do?”
Olivia couldn’t tell her because she didn’t know. She’d been so focused on her anger that she hadn’t paid attention to anyone else. So much for Kingston being too busy with work to go out with her. Or even call. He had plenty of time to dance, though, and even give lessons.
Just no time for me.
She wasn’t upset with him only—she was even more furious with herself. Because the moment he’d put his hand on her waist, she’d known she was in trouble. He smelled so good, like he’d just finished a shower and put on subtle cologne, and his light-blue polo shirt and black cargo shorts fit him perfectly.
Why was she noticing his smell or his clothes? How could she still be attracted to him after what he’d done?
Even worse was the fact that there was more than pure physical attraction going on. Despite her anger and her embarrassment that she’d fallen for him not once but twice and then spent more than an entire year trying to get him out of her mind... she missed him. It didn’t make any sense. She’d never missed Kingston when they were growing up. Either he was there or he wasn’t.
