With a huff, she storms off to talk to the other teachers and, I’m sure, to try to start a gossip train.
I shake off her negative energy and turn my attention back to the sweet dance happening in front of me.
The song ends, and Cailin pulls her father by the hand over to where I’m standing. “Daddy, this is my teacher, Miss Russo,” Cailin says with so much pride that I can’t help but smile.
He picks her up with his left arm and sticks out his right one to me again. Tingles fly through my body when our skin meets.
“Yes, we met when I first got here. Thanks for taking care of my little girl.” He tickles her after he drops my hand.
“Please, call me Sarah.” I kick myself internally.
Adam looks back to me, pausing for a brief moment before repeating my name breathlessly, “Sarah.”
It rolls off his tongue in a raspy baritone that makes it sound more like a song lyric than just five letters, and I swear, my heart skips a beat.
I’ve never asked a parent to call me by my first name, and the expression on Principal McAllister’s face proves he heard me. I know he’s waiting patiently for me to fill him in on why people are taking pictures and acting weird toward this man, but he’ll have to wait a little longer because I’m currently being held hostage by the smoldering stare of a rock star.
This man, who has seen the world, is looking at me like I just might be the bluest ocean or the brightest star and he’s mesmerized by my existence. It’s intense and hypnotic, and if I’m not careful, I might just believe it’s more than what it is.
Adam turns back to Cailin. “Thank you for the dance, Sugarplum, but I have to get going.”
She pouts, and I can’t help it when I ask, “You can only stay for one song?”
He sighs as he places her down on the ground. “I have a show in”—he checks his watch—“two hours in Arizona.”
“Arizona?” I spit out in surprise.
A grin covers his face, and he glances down at his daughter. “Yep. I couldn’t miss this beautiful girl’s first dance, so I hired another band to perform before me to buy time. I have a private jet waiting to get me back in time.”
My eyes open wide in both shock and awe. The love this man has for his daughter has no boundaries.
“But only ten more days, right?” Cailin asks.
“That’s right. We have a few shows in Arizona, then LA and Vegas, and then I’m home.” He leans down to give her a hug.
“Yay!” She holds her arms up in celebration.
“Give me some love,” he says, and the two rub noses.
“I love you, Chestnut,” Cailin says with their faces inches apart.
He laughs before saying, “I love you too, Sugarplum.”
He holds up his pinkie finger to show his nail painted black, and Cailin matches his movements, showing her purple one.
Witnessing such a personal moment warms my heart.
“And you”—he stands, facing me, making me feel bad for invading their personal time—“Sarah … it was nice to meet you.”
“It’s my pleasure, Adam. I mean, Mr. Jacobson. I mean—”
He smirks. “Just Adam is fine.” He turns to the people still staring at us before turning to me and whispering, “I guess the cat’s out of the bag.” He glances down at Cailin in admiration. “Totally worth it. I couldn’t miss her first father-daughter dance. There wasn’t a better way for everyone to find out anyway. Bye, baby girl.” He rubs his finger under her chin.
“Bye, Daddy. Love you mucho.”
“Love you mucho more!” he yells back as he walks away, making Cailin laugh as she waves her tiny hand good-bye.
I inhale a deep breath, calming my nerves.
