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“Why?”
She frowned. “Why what?”
“Why are you looking to go and try out for this squad when it’s ultimately the style of dance that caused you to get hurt?”
“Because it’s something I’ve never done before,” she replied simply. “And I believe in challenging myself. I feel like I’ve done so many other styles in different arenas and this sounds fun.” She shrugged. “I mean…I’ve been doing this for so long and it’s great to start something new, master it, and move on. Plus, the uniforms are cute.” With a wink, she picked up her mug again. “I love going into each of these things as the new girl and proving to everyone how I am more than up to the challenge.”
Her father’s huff or irritation warned her that whatever he was about to say, she wasn’t going to like it. “Lily, I’m gonna be blunt here.”
“O-kay…”
“Do you want to dance because you love to dance or because you just like having all the attention and the spotlight on you? Because that’s what it’s beginning to sound like. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, per se, it also makes you seem a little…shallow.”
“What?!” she cried defensively. “How could you…?”
“And it doesn’t make me feel good to say that to you, but I’ve never lied to you. Are you doing this to avoid…I don’t know…settling down? Or having to find a job or career that isn’t about dance?”
“I know I don’t want to work for Montgomerys!” she snapped before pacing away from the island and back again. “And I know if I stop dancing for too long, you’re all going to start pressuring me about conforming and fitting in! Hell, that’s what Grandpa did to you!”
His eyes went wide and he seemed to freeze for a moment. “Okay…let’s just…calm down. My position with Montgomerys was something I always thought I’d do after my football career was over. I was a natural at it. When I got injured, I resented having that as my only option. But seriously, I could have done anything else I wanted. I could have gone into coaching or broadcasting. I had a lot of opportunities that I could have pursued, but I was too stubborn. But your destiny has never been to work in finance, Lily. We all know that.”
“Are you sure? Because Grandpa…”
“Your grandfather thinks everyone should work for Montgomerys!” he said with a laugh. “My cousins James and Carter didn’t go into finance! They carved their own paths and no one resents them for it!”
“Pfft…”
“Okay, at one time, maybe there was some resentment, but that has nothing to do with you,” he reasoned. “If you didn’t dance, you could do anything you want.”
“That’s just it, Dad,” she said miserably. “All I want is to dance.” With a shrug, she added, “And you’re right; a lot of it is because I enjoy the spotlight on me but that’s because it’s always been there. I don’t know how to function without it.”
“Damn,” he said gruffly, reaching across the island for her hand. “I had no idea you felt this way.”
“No one does,” she admitted. “I’ve kept it to myself because I know it doesn’t make me look good. And you’re right, it’s shallow. But…it’s all I have.”
“It’s not, though. There is so much more to you and you don’t have to decide right now what the next fifty years of your life look like.” He squeezed her hand. “Have you talked to Noah about this?”
She frowned again. “Sort of, but…it doesn’t matter. That’s over.”
Straightening, Lucas looked at her like she were crazy. “Because of yesterday?”
“That and…other things.”
“Lil…” he prodded.
“Look, you should be happy, okay?” she blurted out. “We all know you’ve been giving him grief ever since I kissed him three years ago! You knew it wasn’t his fault, but you still dogged him all this time! Do you think I want to be the reason you keep doing that to him?” Pulling her hand free, she paced again. “You were always the coolest dad and I was mortified when I heard how crappy you’ve been treating Noah! He’s an amazing person who works super hard for your company and he’s overcome so damn much in his life! He doesn’t deserve to walk around every day in fear of what kind of shit you’re going to throw at him!”
“Lily…”
“No, I’m serious!” she went on. “Did you know what an awful childhood he’s had? Or how his father was basically the worst and was never around? Noah put himself through college and then worked hard so his brothers could have a better life! And once they all got their careers going, they helped their mother go back to nursing school!”
“He told us that in Asheville…”
“He’s got this amazing plan in place so that he never goes backwards, so he’ll never know that level of poverty or helplessness ever again. So you need to back off and leave him alone, okay? Because no one is going to work harder for you than Noah Wylder! You should be thankful to have someone like that working for you!”
“And you should be lucky to be in love with someone like that,” he said carefully.
“Exactly!” Her eyes went wide and she gasped. “I…I mean…”
