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“I’m so happy we found each other after all these years and buried the hatchet.” She smiled. “Aren’t you?”
“I’m still wondering how the hell that happened.” I crossed my arms. “She’s no longer your roommate, correct?”
“Unfortunately,” she said. “I offered her a guest wing at me and Hayden’s place when I moved out, but she’s stubborn like me. She insists on making her own way in life.”
“Of course she does.” I stared at her picture again.
“Can you grab the crate of welcome buttons from my trunk before you sneak out early?” Penelope handed me a set of car keys.
“What makes you think I’m not staying for the entire event?”
“Because I know you.” She kissed my cheek. “You always slip out after the first hour. There’s always something far more important that you need to do.”
“More like someone I need to avoid.”
“Huh?”
“I’m staying for two hours.” I looked at my watch. “Is that enough time for cake?”
“More than enough, but you might miss the ‘Rivals to Friends’ speech from me and Tatiana.”
“I’ll write you a raincheck.” I walked away before she could say anything else. Before my mind could take an unnecessary trip down memory lane.
TWO
PRESENT DAY
TATIANA
Manhattan, New York
Oh my god. I hate my life…
“Try to extend your leg a bit higher at the end, Myra!” I shouted as my client struggled in the ballet studio. “You have to nail the landing in here before we hit the ice.”
The thirteen-year-old groaned, but she corrected her pose and completed a perfect double lutz.
“Okay, great.” I paused the music. “Let’s do it a few more times.”
“Ugh, let’snot.” She picked up her cell phone. “I’ve been here for an hour already. That’s more than enough for the day.”
“Myra—” I held back a sigh. “I used to practice for a minimum of four hours, and that was only the ballet. That didn’t include—”
“This isn’t the old days, okay?” She snapped. “Things have changed, and I’ve won first place in three competitions this year.”
“Because you’re competing in the amateur categories.”
“So? My followers and sponsors are still impressed.”
“You have so much potential, though,” I said. “I would hate for you to go the next couple years without unleashing it.”
“So I can do what?” She crossed her arms. “Become a world champion, all to end up coaching like you?”
Okay, screw this.“Practice is over.”
“That’s what I thought.” She pushed past me and picked up her bag. Then she held up her cell phone.
“Just now leaving ballet practice and heading home to make a smoothie,” she said. “According to my coach, I have a real chance to make it at the elite level, which is why she also swears by Yama Smoothies.”
