“Well, go somewhere my sister won’t kill you.”
“Tell her I’m sorry,” she says as I close the door on her and wave goodbye.
Worried that Phillip’s already upstairs, I hustle toward the back of the store and take the steps two at a time until I reach the open studio-style room June uses for local classes and storage.
Looks like I’m right on time. A roomful of people turn toward me as I step into the space.
I smile as I glance around for Phillip.
Crap. He’s not here.
When my phone beeps, I pull it out of my purse.
Lei, don’t kill me. Dr. Lucas asked Mindy and me to stay late to go over my latest findings with him. Mindy has experience with this kind of data, and Dr. Lucas had to meet with us tonight because he leaves tomorrow for a conference, and I couldn’t wait that long to show him everything in case he has concerns. I promise I’ll make it up to—
I turn my phone off in frustration and toss it into my purse. Then, it occurs to me—who’s Mindy?
Before I can make a quick exit, a bald man with thick glasses approaches. “You here for the beginner’s ultimate dance class?”
“Yes, my name is Leleila. Unfortunately, my…”
“Why do you want to dance, Leleila?” The man peers at me.
“I’m getting married next month.”
“Ah, wedding. Romance, love, beautiful.” He sways in front of me. He’s wearing bright red pants and a tight black silk shirt. “I’m Elroy, your teacher. Head over for our warm-up stretches. Is your fiancé on his way?”
“See, that’s the thing. I just found out he can’t make it.”
Elroy frowns. “That’s not good.”
“Yes, I’m aware. So I’ll just leave now and…”
Bang!
Elroy and I both turn around at the loud sound.
Brayden is standing next to a cardboard box over by the storage shelving. “Sorry,” he says. “This box fell off the shelf.”
I smile at him. “That storage area’s a mess. I’ll clean it up this week.”
“I can help you,” he offers.
Our eyes hold.
“Okay. Thanks.”
Elroy steps forward abruptly and grabs Brayden by the arm.
“Is this your fiancé?” he says as he looks to me.
Brayden jerks backward like he’s been burned.
“Fiancé?” he mutters so quietly I barely hear him.
“No,” I say quickly. “He’s not. He’s my…Brayden.”Shit.
Brayden raises an eyebrow at me.
