Page 105 of Chasing the Sun

Soon the others joined them, taking turns hugging, kissing, and complimenting the ballerina.

Chloe ended up at the back of the group, and suddenly Bryce was there, slipping an arm around her waist.

“You did great too,” he said, leaning in to give her a quick kiss.

“I had a good student.”

“Hopefully, you’ll have a lot more students soon.”

It seemed too good to be true, but they’d made some strides toward her opening a studio. They’d met with a real estate agent regarding the space for lease in the plaza next to Bryce’s dental office. They’d also applied for a business loan, with Bryce as the primary signer and Chloe the co-signer. She’d also opened a bank account and transferred her savings there so the funds would be available when she needed them.

Once the loan went through, which Bryce was sure it would, they’d start advertising and looking for students. There was still a lot to think about and do, but they had a plan, and with his help, she felt confident it would happen.

Since they had some time before the studio opened and Molly started school, the only thing left to do was return to Michigan to pack up her belongings. Bryce surprised her with plane tickets for the three of them so he and Molly could accompany her and meet her family. She cried when he told her, touched by his thoughtfulness.

“Are you kidding? I’m anxious to see your hometown, and so is Molly,” he said.

“I have to warn you about my parents.”

“Why? Are you afraid they won’t like us?”

“It’s not that, but they don’t get along the way you and Victoria do. We might have to see them separately.”

He hugged her. “I’m sorry about that, but I’ll do whatever you need me to. We’re partners, remember?”

He’d been reminding her of that a lot recently, and she was finally starting to believe it.

He’d taken to openly showing her affection in front of Molly and his family. Nothing over the top because that wasn’t his style, but simple touches and brief kisses just to let her know he cared.

He still played on a men’s golf league, but he’d recently suggested they join a couples’ league and asked Elle and Jamie to join them. Elle professed to “suck” at the sport, but now that she knew Chloe was staying in Florida, she vowed to give it another try. The four of them had already gone to the driving range a couple of times, and they’d shared a good laugh over Elle’s errant shots. At least she’d been a good sport about it, though.

While just about everyone she told she was moving seemed thrilled for her, her sister, April, broke down in tears. They’d always been close even though April, her husband, and their two kids currently resided on the opposite side of the state from where Chloe and her parents lived. As was typical of young families, the kids kept April busy, and she and Chloe mostly saw each other for special occasions.

“Now, we’ll hardly see each other at all,” she complained through her tears.

Chloe assured her that the entire family was welcome to visit anytime and stay with them for free. April stopped crying, and by the end of the call, she was already planning when they could come and visit.

Her parents weren’t surprised by the news. “I could tell the last few times we talked that you weren’t coming home,” her mom said. “But that’s okay. You’re in love and I’m happy for you.”

Her dad had a different reaction altogether. “Why do you want to move down there for? It’s hot, humid, and teeming with snakes and gators.”

“I haven’t seen a single alligator since I’ve been here, Dad, except at the zoo.”

“Well, my buddy Al said he sees them in his backyard all the time. He can hardly let his dog outside anymore.”

“I promise to keep my eye out, Dad,” she said with an eye roll. “Will you come down and visit sometime?”

“I suppose, but I’m getting too old to travel much.”

“You’re not that old.”

“I’m almost sixty.”

“If you move down here, the warm weather will help you live longer, and you could take up golf.”

“Golf? Who wants to chase a little white ball around all day? Not me. Besides, Al said there’s even alligators on the golf courses.”

She’d just about given up on the conversation when he lowered his voice and said, “In all seriousness, though, I’m going to miss you, sweetheart.”