“When will you know if you get the part?” Harper asks as I limp out of the kitchen with a bag of frozen peas.
Dropping onto the couch, I rest my leg on a cushion on the coffee table and place the peas on my ankle. I don’t want to look too closely. What if it’s swollen? What if I’ve done more damage? Two days of being on my feet dancing, singing, and acting might have caused a flare-up.
“It can take days. I’m not holding my breath.”
Harper cradles Avery onto her chest and pats her back. “It’s only a matter of time.”
“That’s what—” I was about to saythat’s what Hayden said. I haven’t told Harper about our relationship yet. It’s all so new. I want to keep it to myself and enjoy each other with no outside input. “That’s what my agent said,” I correct myself.
“He knows what he’s talking about. Hang in there.”
The sound of the front door opening and closing puts a stop to our conversation. Moments later, Lily, dressed in her ballet outfit, runs into the room. “Aunty Harper!” she calls. “Is Avery awake? Can I hold her?”
“What about saying hello to your aunt first,” Hayden says, following behind. At the sight of him, my skin tightens with goosebumps. It’s been two days since I’ve seen him, but it feels like two years.
“Hi Aunty Harper,” she sings.
“She wanted to come and see Avery before her dance lesson. I hope that’s okay.”
Harper pats the seat next to her, and Lily climbs up and sits down. “Happy to have her pop in whenever she wants.”
Turning toward me, Hayden smiles, and the gesture shoots through my chest. If my face is looking as goofy as it feels, Harper will know in a second there’s something going on between me and Hayden.
“Hello, Miss Alyssa,” he says. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” He’s being oh so formal. So sexy.
“Lily and I both had the same idea. I wanted to see Avery before dance class too.”
Harper scoffs. “Does anyone want to visit me anymore? Is it always going to be about Avery?”
“Yes, it’s all about Avery,” I joke.
Harper pulls a mock affronted expression, making Lily giggle.
When I look at Hayden, every part of my body buzzes with excitement. He’s planning to sneak me into the house after Lily goes to bed tonight. I’m counting down the minutes until I can be in his arms.
Hayden’s gaze falls on my legs, and he frowns. “You’ve hurt yourself again.” Rushing toward me, he sits on the coffee table and gently places my ankle on his lap. Taking the peas off andputting them on the table, he smooths his palms along my calf and bends his head to look at my ankle. “Does it hurt?”
Over his shoulder, Harper raises an eyebrow, giving me a knowing grin. Hayden’s hands on me is personal.
“Not much. It’s fine.”
“It doesn’t look fine. It’s swollen.”
Damn it. Not what I wanted to hear.
“Come with me, I’ll take you to a physiotherapist.”
I shake my head. “One—I’d be lucky to get an appointment this time of day. Two—I have classes to teach soon. And three—are you wearing pink nail polish?”
Hayden holds his hands up, inspecting them like he has stepped from a nail salon. “It’s coral,” he corrects.
“Oh wow. They look amazing.” I giggle. The color is not only on his nails but his skin too.
“I did them,” Lily announces.
“You did a fantastic job. Your dad looks good wearing pink—I’m sorry, I meancoral.”
Lily smiles with pride. “Next time he’s letting me do his makeup.”