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She bit her lip. “So you knew what you were getting into, huh?”
“More or less.”
“The parking, the walking, Miss Legs …”
“You’re worth it, Hayley.”
She felt impossibly strong and utterly helpless in front of him.
“Nick,” she said. “That girl tonight …”
“Was nowhere near as beautiful as you.”
“She was, Nick.” Hayley took a breath. “And I’m worried too many pretty girls have looked at you just like she did and made you think I’m the best you can get. You’re seeing what you want to see in me. There are prettier girls out there. Better dancers. Betterpeople, Nick.”
Hayley saw disbelief in his eyes. She saw sadness.
“I don’t know who’s been lying to you,” Nick said, his voice raw, “but I’m going to kick his ass.”
“Please,” she pleaded. “Listen to me.”
“Here’s what I see in you,” he said. “I look in your eyes and I see how deeply you feel things. When you smile, I see so much joy that I’ll do anything to be a part of it. You move and I see you using your talent to express who you are. I’m not fooling myself, Hayley. You make it impossible for menotto see you.”
He reached out his free hand for hers, and she took it. “People don’t …” She tried again. “I’m used to a lot of comparison.”
He smiled. “Me too.”
She’d never thought of it that way. Hayley had spent so much time trying to be enough, trying to meet the Icarus standard for beauty and talent, trying to heed the incessant critics in her head without letting any of them take over—but Nick had to know that struggle too. He was trying to dance in a world that wasn’t built for him. How often had he stepped into the ring against his own insecurity and shame? She ached for him to believe his legs didn’t matter, to trust that she wanted him and no one else. Maybe she could trust him too.
“In that case,” she said, putting her arms around his neck, “now you can see me up close.”
He brushed back her hair to better see the thin line under her eye. “You even have a sexy scar.”
She laughed softly. “I fell off the monkey bars.”
“Thank you for letting me close enough to see it.”
Then, as Hayley hoped he’d do, Nick leaned forward, pulled her in, and kissed her.
Her mouth opened under his with an almost overwhelming thrill of relief. She’d been resisting him for all the right reasons, trying to fight the rhythm of their dance, first for Kevin’s sake and then for Nick’s. But now, as what was gentle became urgent and she pressed herself against him and thrilled at the broad, solid muscles of his shoulders and back, the undeniable truth of a man who was here for her and not going away—Hayley gave herself completely to their dance and thought of nothing else.
She had no idea how they managed to slow things down, but eventually their kiss ended and life started again as they looked at each other, wild-eyed and breathless.
“Do you want to come inside?” Hayley asked.
“Oh God, yes.” Nick winced. “Um.” He looked like he wanted to kick something. “I can’t. It’s a school night.”
Shit. She’d completely forgotten he’d gone back to his actual job.
“I’d call in sick,” he said apologetically, “but tomorrow’s only their third day back.”
“I’m such an idiot,” she said. “I’ll stay over at your place.”
“No.”
She stepped back. “No?”
She was hurt and confused, and Nick suddenly looked like a man who had to defuse a bomb.
