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“I know, Mom.” Love shakes her head as she rolls her eyes at me. “But Jade and I will never be anything besides friends unless you and her dad hit it off.”
“Subtle segue, Love,” I mumble before pulling the door open and motioning for Love to head inside.
“I thought so myself.” She flashes me a smug smile before stepping through the door.
I flex my hand at my side as I’m reminded of my strange encounter with Connor in the Just the Drip. I smile at the memory of how awkward and out of sorts he seemed when he stopped next to my table. At first, I thought it was someone asking if they could take the vacant chair, but when he asked to join me, I froze. When I looked into his bright green eyes, it felt like a lightning bolt had struck me. It sounds like something out of the movies, but his eyes smoldered as they scanned my face. It was like he was trying to commit every one of my features to memory.
As soon as he asked to sit with me, I knew that talking to him was a bad idea. I had promised myself and my daughter that I was done with relationships and that I was only going to focus on her and nothing else. Connor is exactly the type of man I’d fall for—dirty blonde hair cut short on the sides and the top like a military haircut, chiseled jawline covered in stubble the same color as his hair, muscular build, and the most breathtaking smile. Thankfully, Love and Jade came to the rescue and stopped me from doing something incredibly stupid, like letting him kiss me.
“Oh, I know what that smile means,” Selina chimes in from her spot behind the small reception area, pointing her finger at Love and me.
“How does a smile have a meaning?” I question as we come further into the studio.
“It’s all about the reason it’s there in the first place.” Selina winks at me before turning her attention toward Love. “Does this have anything to do with Jade’s dad, Connor?”
“Yes!” Love shouts, throwing her hands up in the air.
"Wait, how did you even know I met him?”
“I didn’t, not until you just told me. Now spill, lady. I want to know all the juicy details.”
“There’s nothing to tell.”
“Yeah right, Mom. The two of them were about to burn that whole café down with the way they were looking at each other.”
“Ignore her. She’s exaggerating things again.”
“I don’t exaggerate things. I tell them like I see them, and you have the hots for Jade’s dad.”
“If you want to take some of the amazing classes your Auntie Selina offers here, I suggest you stop talking right now, young lady.”
“Oh, you’re fighting dirty.” Selina snickers, coming from around the desk and wrapping her arm around Love. “Why don’t you go into the studio and watch Emersyn practice? I’m sure you can give her some pointers.”
“I highly doubt it. But I thought she just worked here?” Love replies.
“She does, but she’s been dancing since she was a little girl. It’s not something she chose to continue after high school, but you should see her dance. It’s beautiful.”
“I can’t wait to see her,” she squeals before stepping out of Selina’s arms and heading toward the studio.
“I can’t believe Jade and Love hit it off so well. It seems like they have become fast friends,” I say, hoping to change the subject.
I know my friends want nothing more than for me to be happy, but right now, I need to focus on Love, not finding love in all the wrong places. If there’s one thing I’ve learned after what happened with Ian, it’s that I have horrible taste in men and am probably not the best at judging someone’s character. Even after all the warning signs of Ian’s secret life, I still foolishly believed that the love we had for each other would solve anything. Man, was I fucking wrong.
“I’ve never seen Jade open up to someone the way she has with Love. Those two are meant to be the best of friends,” Selina says with a smile. “But you know you’re not getting out of explaining what just happened with Connor, right?”
“There’s nothing to explain.” My voice trails off as I grab a brochure from the top of the reception desk, hoping to change the subject. “What class do you think Love should take? She did some pointe classes at her old studio in Texas, but I have to admit, I don’t know much about these things.”
“Audrey.” Selina lets out an exasperated sigh, plopping into a chair beside me.
“Selina,” I reply, turning my back toward her, hoping that she drops it, but of course, she doesn’t.
“Audrey Serenity Wilde, if you don’t stop playing games and talk to me, I’ll call Bristol and Leia in for help.”
Damn, she means business. I can usually hold out against one of them, but when all three gang up on me, there’s no way I’m getting out of telling them whatever they want to know. The only secret I’ve successfully been able to keep from Selina and Leia is who the father of Bristol’s baby is, and that’s a secret I’ll take to my grave.
“He’s gorgeous.” I sigh, turning around and resting my elbows on the reception desk.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about.”
