I clear my throat. “Yes, my daughter Lily.” I point to where she’s standing away from the rest of the kids. My heart sinks.
Alyssa glances to where I’m pointing. “Parents aren’t allowed to stay unless it’s parent watch week. It distracts the children.” She waves a hand in the direction of the stairs. “She’ll see you in an hour.”
Okay…I’ve pissed her off big time! I don’t blame her. Guilt gnaws at me. What I did was inexcusable. I wish I’d acted differently. “Alyssa, about the other night—”
Her expression hardens. “I don’t have time to chat. I have a class to teach.”
Before she can walk away, I clasp onto her arm. She raises an eyebrow and glances at my hand. I drop my arm by my side. Okay, she doesn’t want to talk about what happened, but I still need to tell her that Lily’s not having a great afternoon.
“Lily is upset about something. I’d feel better if I can stay just in case she needs me.”
She considers my request for a moment, then shakes her head. “I’m sorry, you can’t stay. If I let one parent watch, others will want to.”
“It’s only for one lesson. Lily is upset.”
“I’m sorry. No. If Lily has any problems during class, someone from the office will contact you.”
Someone from the office.Is she so pissed at me she can’t call me herself? From the icy expression on her face, I’d say yes. Gone is the fun, bubbly woman from the other night. I did that. I’m to blame for the change in her demeanor.
It’s better this way. Better that she hates me. Because if she looks at me with a hint of desire, I may not pull away again. And I can’t put myself in that position. There’s a reason I don’t have sex. Although, when I look at Alyssa, it’s hard to remember what it is. She makes me want to finish what we started in her apartment and damn the consequences.
After all these years with no temptation, why now? Why with Alyssa? I hate how I weakened. Hate how she tempted me. I’ve spent the past eight years devoting myself to Lily and work, and one night I almost let my efforts crumble around me. Shame and irritation coil in my gut. I’m supposed to be stronger than that. “Speaking of the other parents, do they know what you do for a living?” I say. Alyssa’s mouth gapes open. “Do you think they’d like their kids taught by someone who works in a strip club?”
“Excuse me?” Her lips thin. “Some of those parents have visited the club. Including you!” She jabs a finger into my chest. “If you have a problem with Lily taking my class, then you’re free to take her home. Just remember, you’ll be punishing her for your judgmental misconceptions.” She crosses her arms over her heaving chest. “So, are you taking her out of class or not?”
Fuck! I’m so angry at myself for wanting her that I’m acting like an asshole. If that’s what it takes for her to pull away from me, so be it.
“Hurry and decide. I have a class to teach.”
Just because I need to stay away from Alyssa doesn’t mean Lily should pay for it. I’ll work out another way to keep my distance. “She can stay.”
“Good.” She spins away.
It’s then I notice her limp. “Are you still having trouble with your ankle?”
“None of your business,” she calls over her shoulder before disappearing into the studio.
Chapter Seven
ALYSSA
My first day at the studio and I’ve already had a confrontation with a parent. Not just any parent, it had to be Hayden. Seeing him so unexpectantly had rattled me. Then he had the nerve to throw my job at The Temple in my face, like it was something I should be ashamed of. If I thought he was a jerk before, he’s proven to be an even bigger one. Thank God I never slept with him. What a huge mistake that would have been.
I can’t let my interaction with him distract me from the lesson. My attention is now only on my students. Hayden Alessi can take a hike from my brain.
I slide onto the wooden stool in front of the class to stay off my ankle and run through the warm-up routine I want Nikki to do with the class. As I watch the kids go through the drills, they’re all smiling and having fun except for one girl. Lily is standing atthe back of the room, her expression sad. It looks like she’s about to burst into tears at any moment.
Maybe I should have let Hayden stay. I let my anger at him get in the way of what is happening with Lily. I keep a watchful eye over her. As the warm-up changes into steps down the room, once again, she’s keeping away from the other kids, not mingling in with their playful chatter.
One by one, the students pirouette the length of the room. I smile, clap, and praise their wobbly attempts. They’re so cute. I love their enthusiasm. Next is Lily’s turn. Her arms are positioned perfectly, her spotting as she spins is lovely. She’s a beautiful, little ballerina.
As she twirls down the room, I notice four girls whispering, giggling, and pointing at her. Lily must have noticed them too, because she stumbles and loses her posture. She hangs her head and walks the rest of the way and back into line.
“Girls! What is so funny?” I didn’t want to use my stern teacher’s voice on my first day, but these girls need to stop this behavior. It’s clear it’s upsetting Lily.
The girls’ smiles drop, and they shake their heads. “Nothing, Miss Alyssa,” they say in unison.
“Then please pay attention to the lesson.”
