“You have a key?” I ask, looking around, feeling like a criminal for no reason.
She grins at me over her shoulder as she rattles the key in the door. “You have a man who knows how to get what he wants,” she tells me, grasping me by the hand and pulling me through the door.
I swallow past the lump that seems to be lodged in my throat as I follow her up the steps at the back of the room. I should be excited—it’s my studio. But something in my gut makes me hesitant. It feels tainted. Everything about the studio was a twisted lie, and I never had a chance to come back here. It was ripped out from under me.
“You’re sweating!” Lucy frowns, swiping her thumb over my brow and wiping it on her jeans. “Trust me, okay?”
I nod. My teeth ache as I clamp them together. I peek around the door as she starts to open it.
“It’s exactly how I left it,” I murmur, walking past her and into the studio.
“Here.” She holds out another envelope. “I’m not allowed in. I’ll wait downstairs, okay?”
She leaves the room and I chuckle as I take it all in, my eyes not knowing where to look.What on earth?My gaze falls on the bay that once housed Ellis’s piano. It feels cold and empty without it. I miss the days—and the nights—I spent here.
I tear open the envelope with shaking hands, unsure where this is going.
With so much regret came new beginnings.
A new space to find her passion.
But first, she deserved one last dance.
A tear slides down my cheek. I always knew Mason was sorry about the studio. It wasn’t ever his fault; he just didn’t handle the situation right in the moment. So much happened here, so much I will never ever forget. I’m proud of what I achieved in these four walls. Everything I built for me.
Looking around the room, I spot a speaker in the corner. Dropping my head back, I inhale a deep breath, trying to stop the emotions from spilling out of me. Sliding out of my shoes, I pick a song and let it drift into me. I take the closure I never knew I needed as tears pour down my face, hope and excitementdriving me to move not only around the studio, but forward, towards anew beginning.
I feel lighter when we step out the doors and onto the street. I let the fresh air blow through my hair, whipping away the last of my ties to the building at my back.
“Do you know where you have to go next?” Lucy asks, looking over at me.
I squint my eyes as I think, then check the note again. “A new space to find her passion.” I look at Lucy, her brows popping as if it’s obvious.
“Come on.” She grabs my arm and tugs me towards the Audi. “You can figure it out on the way.”
Five minutes later, we’re pulling up outside of the gym. “Here?” I smile.
“Yep. Here.” Lucy snorts, climbing from the car.
Vinny chuckles in his seat, not looking at me. “What?” I ask.
He looks at me then away again, focusing on the windscreen. “I’ve said enough.”
I’m not as slow with my steps as I head towards L&M, linking my arm with Lucy’s and pushing into the reception.
“Hello, ladies!” Gemma greets us with a face-splitting grin.
“Hey!” I go to stop and chat, but Lucy forces me past her. “We can catch up after. Sorry, Gem!” I yell around the staircase. “Luce! What’s the rush?”
“I’m excited,” she admits, quite literally buzzing at my side.
I shake my head, following her through the gym and over to Logan’s office. “Ahh, here she is.” Henry’s smirk is arrogant and knowing.
“You’re in on this too, aren’t you?” Is there anyone who doesn’t know what’s going on besides me?
“Maybe.” He chuckles.
“Is it safe yet?” Lucy asks Logan who’s leant back in his office chair.
