The moment stretches, charged and fragile. Rika's lips part slightly, like she wants to say something, but then Matthew shifts in my lap and the spell breaks.
She pulls her hand back slowly, her cheeks flushing pink, and turns her attention back to the stage.
But I notice she doesn't move away. If anything, she leans slightly into my space, her wings brushing my shoulders.
The rest of the recital passes in a blur. I barely register the other dances, too focused on the feeling of Rika beside me. When the show finally ends and families start gathering their things, Zoe appears beside us, still in her costume. Her face is flushed with exertion and triumph, and her smile is the brightest I've seen on her.
"You were amazing out there," Rika tells her, pulling her into a fierce hug.
Rika's eyes well up with tears again, and Zoe hugs her back just as fiercely. I stand there holding Matthew's hand, watching this beautiful scene unfold.
And I think,I want to be part of this.
And it's a problem.
Because Rika Everdeen is my boss. Because this placement is temporary. But as Rika looks up at me over Zoe's head with eyes bright with unshed tears, I realize it's already too late.
I'm not falling anymore.
I've already fallen.
And I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to do about it.
Chapter 9
Rika
Mitchelljustconfirmedhe'spicking up the kids for spring break tomorrow at six p.m. sharp and I don't know if I should be happy for them or roll myself in a tight little ball and cry all week.
I'll probably do both.
It's a good thing for kids to spend time with their father. At least, that's what I keep repeating to myself.
"Mom?" Matthew's small voice interrupts my thoughts. "Can you come back in?"
He's sitting up in bed, his pale-green wings lying on the pillows behind him, his purple eyes wide. I can tell he's nervous at the idea of spending seven days without seeing his mom.
Matthew has been excited about the trip. At least, he was trying to be. Mitchell promised him they'd go to the science museum, to the movies, maybe even the aquarium. But as bedtime approached, the reality of being away from me for that long started to sink in.
I sink down onto the edge of his bed, brushing a strand of green hair away from his forehead.
"What's wrong, baby?"
His bottom lip trembles. "I don't want to go."
"Hey." I pull him into my lap, wings and all, and he burrows against me. "It's going to be okay. You're going to have so much fun with your dad."
"But what if I miss you?" His voice is so small it breaks my heart. "What if I need you and you're not there?"
I squeeze him tighter, breathing in the scent of his shampoo. "I'm always going to be here for you, Matthew. Even if we're not in the same place. You can call me anytime, okay? Day or night."
He nods against my shoulder but doesn't let go.
We sit like that for a long moment, and gradually, his breathing evens out. His grip on my body loosens, and I think maybe, just maybe, he's starting to relax.
Then he pulls back, his eyes going wide with sudden panic.
"Mom! I forgot Mr. Gears at Noah's!"
