“Kids like us are invisible,” Julia said.
“Not to me,” Reese said, fighting a lump in her throat. “I see you. Every one of you.”
“I do too,” Roan said gruffly.
“All right, off you go,” Reese said. “My next class will be here soon.”
The kids gathered their things. Emma glowed as she hugged Reese, then pulled back, clearly embarrassed. “Sorry. I’m just so happy.”
“I’m happy too.” Reese gave Emma her phone number and asked her to text in the morning if she needed a ride.
Marcus, Julia, and Emma left together but Cody hung back with Roan.
“I’ll wait for you outside,” Cody said. “Take your time.”
Cody nodded and left, the studio door closing behind him.
“Are you taking him home?” Reese asked.
“Eventually. But he asked if he could hang out at the gym—watch me work. He said he might like to become a trainer.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. I can’t believe how they’re all responding to this.”
“Clearly they need it,” Roan said. “God bless Grace Hayes.”
“Will you be here for next class?”
He looked directly into her eyes. “I’d be happy being anywhere you are. Doing anything. So yeah, I’ll be here.”
Reese felt almost light-headed. Had he really said that? Did he mean it? And how exactly did she feel about it?
“I didn’t think you’d come but I’m glad you did.”
“Me too,” Roan said, smiling back at her.
He moved closer, taking her hand in his. His eyes peered into hers and she had the strange sensation of falling. Not into the past exactly but to somewhere familiar. The world she’d shared with Roan when they were young, like the two of them against the world.
“You’re beautiful,” Roan said. “Inside and out.”
She swallowed, aching suddenly to throw her arms around him and kiss him like she used to. “Thanks. I wondered if you thought I looked old.”
“You’re even prettier than when we were kids.”
“That’s sweet of you to say.”
He drew even closer, taking her other hand now, his eyes soft. Then, he tilted his head and moved closer and closer until he almost reached her mouth. She didn’t stop him. She was incapable of it.
The studio door burst open. A gaggle of twelve-year-old girls poured in, chattering and laughing, dumping bags along the wall.
Roan jumped back, creating professional distance. Reese drew in a breath, gathering herself before she turned to her students, teacher mode snapping into place even as her heart raced.
“Hi, girls. Get changed and ready, please.”
She turned back to Roan. He was watching her, his expression pensive.
“I should go. Cody’s waiting.”
Impulsively, Reese grabbed his arm, turning him toward her. “Thanks for today?”
