“Oh,” Brielle breathes out before plastering a smile on her face which isn’t entirely real, “that makes sense. She must be thrilled to have a granddaughter.”
I can see how much those words cost her. I hate it.
But I also can’t say anything because I won’t apologize for my daughter’s existence.
“I asked Dad for dance classes for my birthday coming up. I’m about to be ten,” Rian’s voice is bright. It’s clear she doesn’t care about the tension surrounding us, which doesn’t surprise me at all. “Do you think you could show me some steps?”
My daughter’s voice is so hopeful that it has my heart pounding in my chest. I know the type of person Brielle used to be, back then the last thing she would do is disappoint a young girl. But maybe she’s not the same person she used to be.
“Anytime,” Brielle agrees with a smile. “I’m always happy to help a fellow dancer.”
Rian’s face falls slightly and she looks bashful, something that isn’t normal for my girl. “I’m not a dancer, not yet.”
Brielle gently touches Rian’s shoulder. Once my girl looks up at her, she smiles. “If you love to move to music, you’re a dancer.It doesn’t matter whether you get the steps right or even learn choreography. You’re a dancer, Rian, the rest is just training.”
“Really?” Rian’s question makes my chest ache.
“Really.”
I let out a small gasp when Rian lunges at Brielle and hugs her fiercely. Brielle’s brown eyes meet mine for a moment before they slide closed and she hugs Rian back.
“It was really nice meeting you, Rian,” Brielle’s voice is rough as she’s released from my daughter’s hold. “I think I need to get going.”
Before I can stop her, Brielle is through the door and the questions in her eyes are left unanswered. For now.
“She was the one, wasn’t she?” Rian sighs and whispers, “Mimi said she was the love of your life.”
I look down at Rian, not at all surprised by her question. I’ve never lied to her, not even to protect her from the circumstances surrounding her birth. Lies like that have a way of hurting more than the truth ever could.
While looking at the door Brielle escaped through one more time, I nod slowly. “She was,” I confirm.
What I don’t say is how sure I am that she’s come back into my life for a reason. Or how I’m sure as fuck not going to let this opportunity pass me by.
CHAPTER 4
BRIELLE
I take a drink from my water bottle while taking a break from practicing the routine I learned earlier today. Again. Because the steps need to become instinct. I’m not there yet.
But I’m close.
After restarting the music, I hit every step, the movement feeling natural.
When I do it again, there’s a flow that feels right. Intentional and natural at the same time. Because the steps aren’t my own, but the movement is. The feeling is.
It doesn’t matter what the stage looks like, I want someone to watch me dance and feel something. Anything.
I’m breathing hard as I walk through the room, keeping my muscles warm as I hydrate. I don’t stop the next song from playing and it tugs at memories of a different dance studio and a boy who would watch me for hours. As many times as I told myself to take the song out of rotation, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
I never found a way to fully let go.
All I could do was move forward while my heart slipped through the cracks forged by memories, simpler days, andwhiskey-colored eyes.
The breath I’m taking seizes in my lungs. He has a daughter.
Apparently, he found a way to let go.
It’s not even like I can blame him.