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Joy nuzzles her nose against his. “Not for at least two hours.”
The tension returns to my stance, forcing my legs to pedal backward. “Okay, okay, I’m going.”
“You can stay.” My best friend pouts, but her attention quickly strays to Belle and Cole where it belongs.
“I really can’t. Another minute in this romantic bubble and I’ll get knocked up on the fumes.” My laugh is choppy as I wave a hand in front of my face. “Holy hearts and flowers, the potency is enough to make a girl weak in the knees.”
And hold onto hope for the one who doesn’t deserve it.
Sydney is a twirling machine. I’m not at all surprised, considering her preference for moving nonstop. My eyes can barely track her fast spins on the live feed. It helps that the other students appear to be soaked in molasses.
The folding chair creaks beneath my weight. I glare at the thin metal legs ready to collapse. If Harper wants family and friends to watch their kiddos perform, the least she could do is provide seating meant for actual adults. It’s almost tempting to walk out on principle alone. But that would unravel a few threads from our newfound agreement to be… friends.
My upper lip curls at the bland term. That bubbly blonde couldn’t be my platonic pal by any stretch of her skintight leggings. I snarl a silent curse when she bends forward in direct view to test my theory. Nope, not even if I got a brain transplant and lost every drop of testosterone.
Frustration burns from the inside out. My nonexistent restraint doesn’t matter. We haven’t exchanged more than a handful of clipped words since establishing the so-called truce.
“Well, hello. Fancy seeing you here.”
I turn on the rickety chair to find Susan entering the studio viewing area. My thumb jabs toward the bank of televisions. “Decided to see what all the fuss is about.”
“Aren’t they adorable?” She clutches her clasped palms to her chest. “Syd certainly steals the show. She’s very advanced.”
“Really?” My gaze returns to the live stream. I couldn’t decipher good from bad if I sat here all night.
Susan titters, finding amusement in my dumbstruck expression. “Yes, your daughter has a natural ability. They’re all lucky to have such a patient instructor. Harper provides a nurturing environment that encourages their unique talents to thrive.”
I roll my eyes at the syrupy sweet compliments. “How special.”
“Extremely. She’s very great with children.”
“Uh-huh, Syd is a huge fan.”
Susan’s keen gaze narrows on my lacking enthusiasm for this topic. “I saw you together at Bean Me Up.”
I’d like to say she’s the first to railroad me about my casual chat with Harper. In truth, she’s more like fifth or sixth. Damn vultures don’t know when to quit swarming. “That was nothing.”
She arches a catty brow. “Sure didn’t look like nothing.”
“We’re just friends,” I grind out. I remind myself that this woman is kind and generous under most circumstances. This just doesn’t happen to be one of them.
“My daddy is Miss Harper’s boyfriend,” Sydney blurts from beside me.
I damn near launch five feet in the air. My startled focus swivels between my daughter and the screen she’s supposed to be on. “Where did you come from?”
Her giggle is a loud peal. “The studio. You’re silly, Daddy.”
Meanwhile, Susan’s eyes hold a concerning twinkle. “Oh, isn’t that precious? Harper is your dad’s girlfriend?”
“Uh-huh. She came over to our house for dinner and everything. Is she gonna come over again soon, Daddy?”
“I’m not sure. You’ll have to ask her.”I scrub a palm down my face in an attempt to calm my frazzled nerves. “Are you already done, Boop?”
“No, Daddy! It’s your turn to dance.”
“Wha—?” I feel my eyes bulge.
That’s when Harper appears from the hallway. Her polite smile serves to further agitate the itch spreading from the back of my neck. “Hello, brave partners. I’m happy you could make it for our first practice.”
