I laugh. “That I would love to see. Make sure you use the brightest colors you have.”
“I have gold glitter eyeshadow.”
“Perfect,” I say at the same time Hayden says, “I love gold.”
This softer side of Hayden is beautiful. I’ve gotten to see the reserved side of him—with part jerk coming out. I’ve seen the lusty, playful, dirty-talker sex god side. But seeing him with Lily melts my heart. Letting his eight-year-old daughter use him as her real-life doll is ovary exploding.
Kids haven’t been in my near future. Nor have I thought about wanting any. My parents had me and my sister in their late thirties after they retired from ballet. I always assumed I’d do the same. Worry about family when I had more time. But seeingHayden with Lily makes me wonder if I’m making the right decision.
No, I can’t doubt myself now. I have my future planned out. Kids are not in the cards. Not until I get the career I’m working my ass off to achieve.
“Lily Pily, give Avery a kiss goodbye. It’s time for ballet. Miss Alyssa, can I give you a ride?”
“Sure, I’d love that. Thank you.” We give each other a secret smile.
“Can I stay here a little longer. Pleeese?”
Gently putting my sock on, I slip my foot into my boot. “We’re learning a new routine. You don’t want to miss that, do you?”
Lily bites her bottom lip as she looks at the baby.
Harper taps Lily on the leg. “If it’s okay with your dad, why don’t you come back after class and maybe we can try another sleepover? You were a lot of help the last time you were here.” Harper winks at me. Oh, she is so onto us. She’s giving us time alone.
“Can I stay the night, Dad?”
Hayden slides his hands into his pockets. “You have school tomorrow.”
“Just bring her school uniform when you pick her up in the morning, and she can get ready here.” Harper gleefully offers a solution. I love my best friend.
“Are you sure you want to, Lily? Last time you wanted to come home.”
“I’ll be okay, I promise.” She crosses a finger over her heart.
“You don’t need to promise. If at any time you want to come home, call me and I’ll come get you.”
“Thanks, Dad.” She bounds off the couch and throws her arms around Hayden’s neck. He buries his face in her neck, making her giggle.
Oh, my ovaries are doing their thing again!
We say goodbye to Harper and Avery, and before I leave the room, I turn back and mouththank you. Thanks to Harper, I don’t have to sneak out of his house at the crack of dawn.
She mouths backyou’re welcome. Then out loud, she says, “Have fun!”
I know she’s not talking about dance classes.
Hayden drops us off at the studio but doesn’t come inside, trusting me to walk Lily in safely. Is he getting her used to me being in her life and preparing her for our relationship? Or am I overthinking it and it’s just convenient because we’re going to the same place?
While warming up the children for their lesson, a woman walks into the waiting room and gives me a little wave. Giving Nikki instructions for the class, I excuse myself and head over to the woman.
“Hello, can I help you?” I don’t recognize her as one of my student’s parents or guardians.
She smiles. “Hi, yes. I’ve recently moved to the area, and I want to check out some dance studios for my daughter. She’s obsessed with dancing and insists I enroll her into a school by the end of the day.” She rolls her eyes and chuckles.
“Well, you’ve come to a great studio. The teachers are highly qualified, great with kids, and have a passion for teaching. What style of dance does your daughter do?”
“Oh…ummm…you know…” She waves her hands around. “Jazz. Tap. That sort of thing. I’d love to be able to watch the class to make sure this is a studio she’d like to attend.”
I point to the class as they do leg work at the barre. “This is a ballet class. If you’d like, you can bring her here tomorrow for a trial lesson. We have jazz and tap classes running then.”