“Why do you act that way? Did I do something? Say something?” I hate the hurt shining from her eyes. The hurt I put there because I’m so screwed up.
I shake my head. “You did nothing wrong. It’s me. There are things in my life that I’m sorting through. My focus is on Lily and work. I don’t have time for anything else. I got distracted. And I hated myself for my weakness and took my frustrations out on you. I’m sorry.”
A wet strand of hair is stuck to her cheek, and I brush it away and tuck it behind her ear. It’s like I can’t control myself when I’m around her. I need to touch her. My hand cups her cheek, her gaze drops to my lips, and I would give anything to forget about my life and take her into my arms and kiss her.
“Knock, knock,” Harper sings out loudly from the door. “I’ve come bearing clothes. Lily isalsowith me.” She calls out her warning like she has a feeling we’re doing more than talking. If we’d been alone for a few seconds longer, maybe we would have been.
Alyssa walks back to the chair and sits. I glance down at my crotch to make sure I’m not going to poke anyone in the eye. When all is good, I call out, “Come in.”
The door opens and Harper walks in holding a pile of clothes. Lily follows behind her with shoes. “Dad, you’re so embarrassing.” Lily giggles. “How did you fall in the pool?”
At eight years old, my daughter already thinks I’m an embarrassment. God help me when she’s older.
I glance at Alyssa. We can have the same argument about who caused the commotion, instead I say, “I slipped and accidentally took Miss Alyssa down with me.”
Harper places the clothes on a table. “These should fit. And please keep away from the pool.” Thankfully she’s smiling now. Although I’ll still send her flowers. “I’ll leave you to get changed.”
Harper leaves and closes the door behind her. Lily takes a seat next to Alyssa. There’s no chance anything can happen with my daughter in the room. She’s the best cockblock I can ask for.
“Miss Alyssa,” Lily says, looking up at her. “What are you doing after Avery’s party?”
“Nothing. Why?”
“So you’re not busy?”
“No, I’ll probably watch TV. Why do you ask?”
I have a feeling I know where she is going with this. “Lily…” I say with a warning tone.
She doesn’t hear it, or chooses to ignore it, because she says, “Then can you come to my house and give me a private lesson, please?”
“Oh…I…” Alyssa looks to me for help.
“Lily Pily. It’s a lot to ask of Miss Alyssa.”
“But Dad, the room is finished, and I really want Miss Alyssa to see it. She said she’s only watching TV. I want to get better. Everyone in my class are better dancers than me.” Her bottom lip drops in a sulk.
“That’s not true. You’re a beautiful dancer,” Alyssa comforts.
“I still have trouble with some steps.”
“If you want more practice, there’s another class during the week you can join,” she suggests. Is she suggesting that because she thinks I don’t want her at the house? I haven’t given her the impression I want her around.
“The class is for babies,” Lily complains.
“They’re not babies. They’re about two years younger than you,” Alyssa explains.
This is where I should jump in with a thousand excuses why giving her a private lesson is a bad idea. Instead, I say, “If it’s not too much trouble and you don’t have plans, it would make Lily happy.”And I get to see you again.Fuck! Why am I doing this? Why am I putting temptation in front of me?
“You’re okay with it?” Alyssa asks with a dubious expression.
How can I not be? Lily is trying so hard to become the best dancer she can be. She’s already spending every spare moment in her studio practicing. How can I deny her? I can’t. I’ll just keep my distance from Alyssa. With Lily in the house nothing will happen.
“Sure, it’s no problem,” I reply.
“Yes!” Lily jumps from the seat with a broad smile.
“Do you want to go straight from the party?” God, I hope I don’t regret this.
