“I love that place so much. I’ve had so many wonderful memories there. It’s my life. But I know I can’t go on much longer. These old bones are getting tired.”
I nudge her shoulder. “You’re not old. But if you need to stop dancing, can’t you hire more teachers to take the classes? Then you can just run the place.”
“That won’t work. If I’m there watching, I’ll want to be in class.” That’s true. I’ve never seen a dance teacher so dedicated to her students like Miss Lucia. “Selling is the only option.”
As much as I’d hate to see the studio run by a stranger, Miss Lucia deserves the time to rest.
After a few minutes, the bouncing of the bus is making me drowsy, so I lean my head against the window and close my eyes. What feels like five minutes later, Miss Lucia is shaking my shoulder. “Bella, we have arrived.”
Cracking my eyes open, my gaze groggily sweeps the bus and connects with Hayden. A small grin tugs at the corners of hismouth. I turn away and stretch out my sore muscles from being cramped in a bus for two hours.
We usher the kids off the bus and meet the coordinator of the workshop. Once everyone is checked in, and bags are in the rooms, we make our way to the hall where the dance classes are taking place.
The kids cheer and clap when Kai Hart enters the room. Brown skin, bleached blonde hair, with baggy white pants, and a white and yellow tank, Kai Hart is one cool-looking dancer. I’m keeping my inner fangirl under control.
Looking around the room at the parents, the smiles on their faces tell me they’re enjoying him too. Except for one person. Hayden. He is expressionless. I don’t know what he thinks about the workshop.
Kai takes the students through a hip-hop routine, breaking it down so everyone, even the non hip-hoppers, can follow along. The weekend will be filled with different styles of dance. That’s how good he is.
After they’ve performed the dance a few times, Kai claps his hands to grab their attention. “Who’s ready to try something completely different?”
The kids’ hands shoot into the air.
Kai glances around the room and smiles at me. “Miss Alyssa, can you help demonstrate with me, please?”
“Sure.” I jump at the chance. Dancing with such a renown superstar is a dream come true. I make my way to the front of the room and stand next to him. “What are we doing?”
“The rumba. Now, I’ll demonstrate the dance with a partner so you can see what it looks like,” he says to the kids. “Then I’ll break it down.”
One boy groans. “Do we have to dance with the girls?”
Kai laughs. “No, you can do the steps by yourselves.”
The boy sags with relief. Give him a couple more years and he might change his mind.
Kai holds my hand and puts his other hand on my shoulder blade.
“She can’t dance with you.” Hayden’s voice shoots across the room. All heads swing toward him. He clears his throat. “She’s hurt her ankle,” he explains.
Kai looks at me then glances at my feet. “You’re injured?”
“I was…am. It’s a lot better. I can still dance.” I’m not passing up this opportunity. I’ll dance through the discomfort even if it kills me. Through the reflection of the mirror, I throw Hayden an annoyed look. Why did he have to speak up?
Kai gives me a dubious expression. “If it’s not healed, you should keep off it. I’d hate to cause more damage.”
“I’m fine.” I bounce on my toes to convince him. A dull ache squeezes at my ankle. I smile to hide the pain.
“Are you sure?” Kai asks.
“She’s in pain. I can see it all over her face.” Again, all heads swing toward Hayden.
The parents and teachers all smile in a way that indicates they know something is going on between us but they’re not sure what.
“Hayden, I’m fine,” I say through gritted teeth.
“You’re not.” His jaw clenches.
Putting on a fake smile so I don’t cause a scene in front of the children and parents, I say, “Thanks for your concern.” I add extra sweetness to my tone. “It’s lovely that you care so much about my well-being, but I know my body better than you do.”