“Was my reaction not good enough?” She chuckles. “You are enchanting. That dress looks incredible on you. And those shimmery details? I fucking love it. Where are you going? Somewhere fancy?”
“Nope. Just a new club downtown.”
My niece pops into the frame wearing a big smile. She and I may not be related by blood, but Piper loves Story like she’s her own, and I adore her just as much.
“Hey, Ry!” She waves. “Your makeup is fabulous.”
“Aww, thanks for the confidence boost, you two.”
“We’re just stating the obvious.” Story fixes her tight, neat bun.
“You think it’s okay for dancing? And maybe some poor choices?”
“You never make poor choices,” Piper says. Story nods.
An image of Hayden pops into my head. If only they knew what I agreed to.
“Are you heading to rehearsal?” I ask Story.
With a dramatic sigh, she puts her head on Piper’s shoulder. “Yeah. We’re working onGiselleright now. My legs are actually dying.”
Affection and pride fill me. “You’ll survive. You’re built for the stage, baby girl. Any company would be happy to have you.”
“A company would be great…” A pinkish hue creeps onto Story’s cheeks. “But I don’t have much confidence. Maybe I’d believe you if I got accepted into the New York School of Performing Arts.”
Being accepted into a ballet company like the one she’s auditioning for would be great for her career. Her desire to follow in my footsteps is incredibly cute. The bond we built when my sister worked as Story’s nanny nine years ago has only grown stronger with each passing year. The girl lives and breathes ballet. She wants to dance on the biggest stages in the world, and she’s ambitious enough to make her dreams a reality.
She’d never give up like I did.
The moment the thought settles, my body deflates. This is not the fucking time for regrets.
With a deep breath in, I force myself to smile. “I better get going, girls. I don’t want to keep Nastya waiting.”
“Be safe,” my sister says, “and shoot me a text once you’re home.”
“I promise I will.”
Once I hang up, I shake off the sudden bout of negativity then slip into my heels and give my reflection one last look. This look might be my best in a while. Something good is going to happen tonight. I can feel it.
My phone buzzes, and a picture of Hayden with Story and Hudson appears on the screen. My heart thunders in my chest as my hands go clammy. This reaction isn’t new, and I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it—and that’s exactly why I need to move on. I need to forget about Hayden, but how can I when our lives are so intertwined?
I take a deep breath and swipe to answer. “Hi.”
“I’m downstairs.” His husky voice in my ear causes goose bumps to erupt all over my body.
“I’ll be there in five.”
“Okay.”
I end the call and look myself over again in the mirror. Piper and Story are right—I look great.
Despite my best efforts, I can’t help but wonder if Haydenwill notice.
Hayden is leaningagainst his Land Rover, dressed in a black tee and ripped black jeans. With his broad shoulders, muscular arms, and tattoos, he reminds me of a bodyguard rather than an A-list celebrity.
My heels click loudly on the pavement as I approach, catching his attention. He shifts to face me, and his dark green eyes move slowly over my body, lingering on my cleavage and then my legs. He doesn’t rush his scrutiny, and it brings heat to my cheeks. I like the way his attention feels. It’s like a gentle caress, but it also sets my skin on fire.
That sensation is snuffed out quickly, because when he snaps his gaze back to my face, his expression is nothing but friendly. No heat, no interest.
