Page 32 of Dancing on Air

“How wonderful. Where is she at now?” she asked.

“Just outside of Boston. She knows she doesn’t want to stay in the city or, god forbid, return here. Missy wants someplace quiet. Peaceful. A small town.”

“What about Silver Cove?” Cora asked suddenly. “It’s ripe for a new bakery. Last time I was up there, I had to get my scone fix from one of the big chain places. Plus, there are enough tourists year-round up there to keep her in the dough.” She chuckled and enjoyed Max’s smile.

“We’ve never been up to Maine before,” he said with a shrug. “I guess we can make a trip up there some time to check it out.”

“I’m heading there soon, the week before the ballet is set to start, during that break. I have four whole nights off,” she said, trying not to sound too eager. “If you mention it to her, I can arrange for her to stay at East Haven Resort.” She leaned closer and winked at him. “I know the people who own it.”

“I’ve heard all about East Haven. My parents have stayed there a time or two. Never with us, of course,” he said, sounding a little distant.

“Then it’s settled.” She rubbed her hands together. “I’d love to meet Missy and show her around.”

He was quiet for a while then pulled out his phone.

“Hey, Missy,” he said into the phone. “How’s class?” He listened as he nibbled on the food. “That’s great. I’m here with Cora…” He was quiet and smiled. “Yeah, so, anyway, she suggested Silver Cove, Maine, would be a great place for your bakery.” He was quiet, then glanced at her. “She’s googling.” He chuckled, then listened again. “Yeah, Cora can get you into a room at East Haven…” He dropped off and held his phone away from his ear. “I think she’s in,” he told Cora with a smile. “Here, I’ll put you on speaker.” He set his phone down and suddenly, Missy’s voice was there.

“Really? I’ve always wanted to stay there,” Missy said.

“Sure, Sarah and Ben are friends of my brother. Actually, my brother JT still drives the ferry to the resort every now and then.”

“Oh my god. You’re that Cora Thomas. JT Whistler’s sister?” Missy asked.

“I am,” Cora answered.

“I’ve read all about you. Silver Cove, that’s the small town closest to the resort?” Missy asked.

“Yes, it’s just across the water from there.” Cora took another grape.

“Tell me about it?” Missy asked.

While she filled Max’s sister in on all things Silver Cove, Max started moving around the kitchen. At first, she didn’t know what he was making, then she realized he was chopping a fresh salad and making grilled cheese and turkey sandwiches.

Her stomach was growling loudly by the time she got off the phone with his sister.

“I hope you’re hungry,” Max said, setting a plate down in front of her.

“Starved.”

While they ate, they talked about Missy.

In the short time Cora had chatted with his sister, she knew that they would easily become friends. Missy and Max had grown up dancing. She’d watched old videos of both of them performing.

What she hadn’t seen was their personal life. Gerald Sharpe had actually forced Max to take back Reece and work with him after Reece had hit him. Did Max even tell his father what Reece had done?

Whenever she thought of bringing up the subject, she backed out. After all, she was enjoying their conversation and her time with him.

It was slightly odd that they seemed to get along so well outside of the studio. Not that they clashed a lot in the studio, but there were moments she was just plain fed up with him changing things, both in Romeo and Juliet and in his own play.

But she supposed she could be a little difficult to work with too. She had her own ideas of how to make things better in both instances.

She supposed the strong desire to teach and choreograph herself was the drive for those conflicts. In truth, since moving to New York, she’d started to realize those new dreams.

Not that she still didn’t have a strong desire to be on the stage, but in the back of her mind, those thoughts forced their way out. It was like reading a book and wanting to change the outcome. She was just positive she could do it better, somehow.

“Do you like what you’re doing?” she asked Max once they were done eating.

He glanced at her and just when she thought he wasn’t going to answer, he said, “Sometimes.”