For the rest of the class, there are no more incidents with Lily and the girls, yet she still looks miserable. No matter what I try, I can’t pull a smile from her. When the class is over, I say goodbye to the students as their parents arrive. I’d forgotten how much I loved teaching. I only wish I could have danced along with them.
Among the parents gathered in the waiting room, Hayden is the first person I spot. It’s easy when he’s a head taller than any other person. To my annoyance, my heart races. As much as I want to avoid him, I need to speak to him about Lily. While she’s busy taking off her ballet shoes, I nod for Hayden to follow me so we’re out of earshot.
He’s standing close to me, and my stomach muscles flutter and I take a step back. Will this reaction to him ever go away? An hour ago, he insulted me. I should not feel this way. I focus on what I need to say to him and will my body parts to calm the hell down. “I wanted to let you know Lily might have a problem with a few girls in class.”
“Who are they? What did they do?” Hayden swings his head from side to side, looking ready to hunt the culprits down.
I put my palm on his chest to calm him—big mistake. The firm muscles remind me of what’s underneath the shirt. I drop my hand. Lowering my voice so no one can overhear our conversation, I explain what had happened in class.
With a hardened expression, he scans the room. I’m not convinced he won’t try to find the kids. It’s a good thing I didn’t give him names.
“I put a stop to it. I won’t have that kind of behavior in my class. If it happens again, I’ll be speaking to their parents.” Hopefully that will help calm him down.
He scrubs his fingers through his hair. I can only imagine how hard it must be to hear that kids have upset your child. A small piece of my heart softens toward him. And when his gaze holds mine, it’s hard to remember what a jerk he can be.
“Thank you for letting me know. I appreciate you watching out for Lily.”
“I’d do anything for—” Shit! Was I about to sayI’d do anything for you? What the hell! No. I wouldn’t because that’s ridiculous. “I’d do anything for Lily…she’s sweet.”
“Can we go now?” Lily sidles up to Hayden.
I’m so thankful for the interruption.
Hayden places a loving hand on his daughter’s head. “Sure, Lily Pily.”
“You did a fantastic job in class, Lily. You’re a natural ballet dancer.”
A ghost of a smile twitches at her lips. Hopefully I can pull more of them out of her at the next lesson.
“See you next week, Alyssa?” Hayden asks like he’s questioning whether I’m going to keep teaching now that I know his daughter is in my class.
I pull my shoulders back. “I’ll be here. Will you?”
He grins. “See you then, Twinkle Toes.” He turns and leaves.
As much as I want to hate that nickname coming from him, it makes me smile. And damn it, now I’m looking forward to Lily’s next lesson.
Later that evening in my apartment, I order sesame chicken and steamed vegetable dumplings from a nearby Asian restaurant. After teaching three classes of young children, I’m too exhausted to cook, and I didn’t even dance! Teaching is more draining than auditions, yet it gave me a buzz no audition ever has.
Seconds after placing the order, my phone rings. Looking at the screen, my shoulders sag on a heavy sigh. Whenever my mother calls, she always has a million questions about my auditions. Her favorite:Why aren’t you cast yet?OrWhat are you doing wrong?I don’t have the energy for her interrogation, so I let it go to voicemail. I’ll message her later.
Placing my leg on the coffee table and trying to get as comfortable as I can, I don’t have time to turn the TV on before my phone rings again. I better answer in case it’s something important.
“Hey, Mom. Is everything okay?”
“No. Everything is not okay.” Irritation laces her French-accented words.
I straighten. “What’s happened?”
“Why did I have to hear from Davey about your accident? You had to cancel an audition because of it! It’s not like they’re falling at your feet.”
I sag against the couch cushions. Nothing serious has happened except for her disappointment in me. What’s new? She’s more concerned about the missed audition than my injury. Typical.
“You’ve been talking to Davey about me?” I’ll have to remind my agent to keep his big mouth shut. Just because he and my mother are friends, doesn’t mean he can tell her my business.
She tsks like I’ve said something silly. “You make it sound like we’re gossiping. I called to chat, and he told me you had to miss an audition.”
I was born into a high-performing family. My parents are retired ballet dancers, and both performed in principal roles around the world on the most prestigious stages. They expect the same standards from me and my sister Christina.
