Even when she wasn’t.
“I work here,” the words are simple, but the depth of them, the meaning not spoken but understood, rings in the silence around us. As the moment stretches, she huffs and rolls her eyes in a way that takes me back to a time when I didn’t appreciate how simple things were. “I was in New York where I was constantly auditioning, working, or teaching classes here and there. It was tough, but I was taking on the life I had been chasing.”
“What changed?”
She waves her hand down her body and my gaze follows. My eyes caress her; I can’t help it.
“While I don’t necessarily feel it all the time, just when my knees are popping and my entire body aches, I’m borderline geriatric in the dance world. I was working less and losing more jobs to young dancers who hadn’t realized the city was going to chew them up and spit them out.”
The edge in her voice, the steel in it, isn’t born of strength but survival and makes me want to pull her into my arms until she can let her body relax. Until she can trust me again.
I clear my throat, suddenly realizing just how close we are. But I can’t make myself step back.
“Why Vegas?” The words are like sandpaper against my throat, but I need to know the answer.
“I wanted to move somewhere warmer and where I could maybe find a job dancing still. The price of living was a factor, along with being close enough to LA where I could audition there as well if I really want to.”
Her explanation makes sense, but I can’t help but feel like there might be more going on here. Like fate stepping in.
My mouth opens even though I have no idea what to say, where to even begin, but the door swings open with a bang which has us both jumping.
“Dad,” Rian screeches right before she slams into me.
My arms wrap around her instinctively as a smile tips up the corners of my mouth. When I glance up at Brielle, her eyes are big and round as she glances between my daughter and me. I can see the confusion on her face. And the quiet devastation she tries to hide.
I feel it sharply in my chest, but the last thing I will do is regret Rian being part of my life. She’s made me better. She’s given me purpose.
“I thought I heard your voice out here. I’ve been practicing choreography from some videos online,” Rian’s voice is all excitement. I can’t blame her.
The back hallways of a casino aren’t ideal when it comes to places for my daughter to roam freely and play. But if she wants to take dance classes, I’m interested in her level of commitment, which is why we’re here. So far, the only thing she’s shown me is how excited she is and there’s no way I could miss the determination on her face.
“Rian,” I begin, my voice hesitant in a way it hasn’t been for years, “this is Brielle.”
My daughter looks at the woman, who is an apparition from my past, like she hadn’t even realized we weren’t alone. I’m not surprised. Rian can get tunnel vision when it comes to what she wants. Right now, all she wants to do is dance.
“Oh,” Rian chirps before giving Brielle a bright smile, “it’s nice to meet you.” Realization flashes across her face and she lights up. “Are you a dancer?”
Brielle’s face softens as she looks at Rian and it does something funny to my chest; something I’m not sure I like. Or maybe I like it too much.
“I am a dancer. I was just hired at Elysium and was getting a tour. I think this was the last stop.”
Brielle glances at me and I can see the questions in her eyes, but I know she won’t ask any of them. Not right now at least. When she glances over her shoulder at the door, I can almost see how tempted she is to run off.
It’s the last thing I want.
“Brielle is more than a dancer here,” my voice is rough and something in my tone has Brielle looking at me with wide eyes while Rian looks confused.
Brielle tries to subtly shake her head, but it’s too late for that. I have no intention of hiding how much this woman meant to me at one point. How much I’m afraid she still means to me.
“I grew up with Brielle,” I inform Rian, “in Seneca Falls. She was always destined for more than small town life.”
“Did you spend time at Sagebrush?” Rian is practically vibrating with excitement as she asks the question.
“Yeah,” Brielle’s voice is soft and strained, “I spent a lot of time there.”
“Brielle, the name is so familiar,” Rian whispers and looks at nothing before I can see the pieces snap into place. Her gaze snaps into focus and she gasps, “Oh, you two were boyfriend and girlfriend, right? I’ve heard Mimi mention you before.”
Brielle’s eyebrows pull together in obvious confusion, so I explain, “My Mom. Rian calls her Mimi.”