Hayden pushes off the wall he’s leaning on and folds his arms over his chest. “I don’t want to pick you up off the floor again when your ankle gives out.”
My body tenses as I step out of Kai’s arms. “I would have been fine without you.” I’m using every muscle in my face to stop my smile from slipping.
“Really? I found you with your dress thrown over your a—” I know he stopped himself from saying ass. “—knees. In a puddle of water, barely able to walk.”
“Will you ever let me forget that night?” It’s not just the fall on the street I don’t want to keep reliving, it’s what happened in my apartment afterward too.
“Not when you keep doing stupid things.”
The children are oblivious to our conversation as they chat and giggle among themselves. The parents, however, are swinging their heads between us like they’re watching a tennis match, trying to hide their smiles behind their hands, entertained by our verbal sparring.
“Hayden, can you please follow me outside?” I don’t wait for an answer, and as I walk out of the room, I’m aware that every adult’s eyes are on us. In the lobby, I spin on my heels. The sudden movement shoots pain through my ankle, and I stumble. Hayden catches me around the waist, stopping me from falling.
With his arms still around me, he says, “And you thought you could do therumba. You’re not steady on your feet.”
I point a finger at his chest. “What is your problem?”
“I don’t have a problem. You do. Why would you dance on an injured ankle?”
“Oh, so you’re only worried about my ankle?” I say with disbelief.
He cocks an eyebrow. “What other reason is there?”
I tilt my chin to the side like I’m thinking. “Oh, I don’t know…maybe you don’t want me dancing with Kai Hart?” I’m aware that I’m still wrapped in his arms. I’ll step away any moment.
Averting his eyes for a beat, he looks back at me and frowns. “I don’t care if you dance with him.” Music drifts from the room,people are walking past us, yet we don’t part. Hayden’s hands are branding hot on my waist.
“I don’t believe you. Try again.”
He shrugs with a nonchalant expression. “The rumba isn’t exactly appropriate in front of children.”
I roll my eyes. “It’s not dirty dancing. Well, it can be when it’s done privately. I wonder if Kai gives private lessons,” I tease to see if I can get a rise from him.
Hayden’s hands tighten around my waist, and he pulls me forward so our chests touch. “You have children to supervise.” His eyes darken. “There’s no time for private lessons.”
The way Hayden is staring at me causes the air to expel from my lungs. “Are you jealous, Hayden Alessi?” Why else would he act this way? My heart stops beating as I wait for the answer.
Dropping his hands, he steps away, scrubbing his fingers through his hair. “I’m…it’s…whenever we’re—”
The doors to the workshop swing open. Miss Lucia pokes her head out. Glancing at us both, she gives an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but the children are having a break. We need help getting them to lunch.”
I want to groan with frustration at her interruption. What was Hayden going to say?
“We’ll be right there.” When she ducks back into the room, I say to Hayden, “This conversation isn’t over.”
Chapter Seventeen
HAYDEN
The rest of the day is filled with more workshops. When Kai needs to demonstrate a dance with a partner, he calls on Miss Lucia or Miss Nikki for help. I’m not sure if he’s not asking Alyssa again because of her ankle or because of the scene I caused. When I’d seen his hands on Alyssa’s body, a surge of jealousy tore through me. I wanted to rip his arms off. I had the same reaction at Avery’s party. Alyssa was right, I am jealous.
At the end of the day, we all gather at the hotel restaurant for dinner. Two tables are set for the children and another for the parents and teachers. Once again, Pippa Davidson from the bus sits next to me. If she slides her chair any closer, she’ll be sitting on my lap. Alyssa takes a seat opposite us. Her eyes narrow in on Pippa. I’m not the only one with a case of the green-eyed monster. When our meals arrive, we start to eat.
“So,” Pippa says, leaning toward me. Her warm breath fans over my neck. “Is there something going on with you and Alyssa?”
I glance over at Alyssa. Her head turns away like she doesn’t want to get caught watching me. “Like what?” Our little scene has probably caused a lot of gossip.
“Are you two in a relationship?” she asks.