Excitement is buzzing at the dance studio today. We’re taking thirty of our students on a two-hour bus trip to attend a weekend workshop with Kai Hart. He’s a fabulous dancer who has performed for multiple famous artists around the world. It’s a trip of a lifetime for these kids. I must admit, I’m excited too. I might even fangirl over him. Too bad my ankle still isn’t healed, or I’d take the classes alongside the students.
Parent helpers arrive at the studio, and my stomach twists in a knot. Two days ago, when Miss Lucia gave me the list of parents coming to help with supervision, one name stood out among them—Hayden Alessi.
He never mentioned coming on the trip. Probably because, since our talk in his office, when he drops Lily off at the studio, he greets me with a curt nod before leaving. When I arrive at his house for her private lessons, I get the same greeting. Hedoesn’t come to watch, there’s no offer of dinner afterward, and definitely no invitation for coffee. There’s no conversation.
It’s probably best this way. There are only so many times a woman can strip naked with the promise of sex only to have the man run screaming from the room. It hurts one’s pride. I won’t fall for his lusty eyes and roaming hands again.
Like always, when Hayden enters the room the air crackles with electricity. My body is hyperaware of him. I’m annoyed he has that effect on me. It doesn’t help that he fills out a gray t-shirt and faded denim jeans like a GQ magazine cover model. Dragging my attention away from him, I make my way around the room to greet the parents, leaving Hayden for last.
“Good morning, Hayden. It’s nice of you to join us this weekend.”
His hair is damp and brushed back from his face like he’s just had a shower. It has me thinking of our time in the shower, and my heart does a traitorous gallop in my chest.
“It’s Lily’s first dance trip. I wasn’t comfortable letting her go by herself.”
This is the most Hayden has spoken to me in two weeks.
Lily skips over to us. “Hi, Miss Alyssa.”
“Hi, Lily. Are you excited about the workshop?”
Her grin spreads from ear to ear. “I can’t wait. I packed a Kai Hart t-shirt. Do you think he’ll sign it for me?”
“I’m sure he will.”
Miss Lucia claps her hands to grab everyone’s attention. “Our transport has arrived. Students, please follow your teachers outside and take your seats on the bus. Leave enough room for the parents to sit at the front.”
“Let’s go, Lily.” To Hayden, I say, “See you later.” Or not. If I can avoid him, I will. Hopefully, I’ll be so busy with the kids and the workshops I won’t give him a second thought.
As we get on the bus, Pippa Davidson, Kyle’s mother, not so subtly elbows her way onto the bus to grab the seat next to Hayden. It’s not like I wanted to sit next to him. He’s all hers. I listen to Miss Lucia read out the roll to make sure everyone is on the bus. When everyone is accounted for, she puts the clipboard in her bag and sits next to me.
During the trip, my gaze involuntarily flicks over to Hayden and Pippa. She hasn’t stopped talking the entire time. Hayden is nodding and smiling like she’s telling him the most interesting story he has ever heard. At times, she places her hand on his thigh like she needs to touch him to emphasize what she is saying…orshe just wants to touch him.
Doesn’t she have a husband? I mentally shake my head. None of my business. Good luck to her. If she’s trying to lure him into her bed, I hope she has better luck than I did. At the thought of them together, burning jealousy heats in my gut. I turn away to stare out the window.
“I’m so happy you’re at the studio with us,bella,” Miss Lucia says. I’d been so distracted by Hayden and I-want-to-jump-your-bones Pippa, I’d forgotten she was sitting next to me.
I turn to her and smile. “Me too. I’m having so much fun.”
“I’ve been getting wonderful feedback from parents about you. The kids love having you as their teacher.”
That warms my heart to hear. “I love teaching them too. I only wish I could dance with them instead of instructing Nikki to demonstrate.” I haven’t danced in three weeks. I miss getting lost in the music and movement.
“Hopefully it won’t be too much longer. How is the ankle coming along?”
“It’s a lot better. The swelling and bruising are gone, and I can walk on it without a limp. It causes me some pain when I try to dance and put pressure on it.”
“Healing takes time. Have you any auditions lined up?” she asks.
“Yes, my agent has something set up for me.” Normally, I’d be buzzing with excitement, nerves, or anticipation. This time, I feel nothing.
“I’d say that’s exciting, but from the look on your face, it doesn’t appear so. What’s the matter,bella?” She looks at me with concern.
I give a tight smile and shrug my shoulders. “I’m just worried I won’t be ready.” That’s not exactly true. I’ll take pain killers and strap my ankle to get through the audition. Because Iwillbe ready.
“It’s normal to feel worried after an injury. You’ve got this,” she says with confident encouragement.
I smile. “Thank you. Have you decided what you want to do with the studio? Are you still thinking about selling it?”