The question is, what happens once he stops being afraid?
I spendthe rest of the day with Nastya and her family.
“I have something for you,” she says after dinner.
Her mom and sister are still adjusting to the time difference, so they went to bed shortly after we ate. Grant hung out with us for a little bit, but he’s been in bed for a while now too. He and Nastya talked me into staying the night, so my best friend and I are making the most of it.
“What is it?”
“Have a little patience.” She barely hides her smile. “I asked Ksyusha to buy it for you in Minsk.”
I press my hands together, silently clapping with my fingertips.
“I know how much you love these flowers,” she says, holding out a little box. “While they are not that common here, they are everywhere in Belarus.”
I open the box, and when I find a little forget-me-not pendant, tears spring to my eyes. It’s sparkly and elegant, making my heart swell.
I wrap my arms around Nastya’s shoulders and pull her in for a hug. “Thank you so much.” I sniffle. “You’re the best friend ever.”
“You’re so very welcome.” She hugs me back. “Love you, Ry.”
“I love you too.”
I don’t know what I did to deserve her, but I’ll be forever grateful to ballet and the New York School of Performing Arts for bringing us together.
I got backto Hayden’s penthouse around lunchtime on Sunday and found the place empty. He didn’t get home until almost 10:00 p.m., just as I was getting ready for bed.
“How was dinner last night?” he asks from my doorway.
“It was good. We stayed up way too late.” I chew on my cheek, nervous to ask the question on my mind. I go for it anyway. “Where were you today?”
“At Ines’. Santi got sick, and his babysitter wasn’t available. Ines called me so she could make it to an appointment.” He shrugs. “I said yes. I’m always happy to hang out with the little guy. And it’s good that she’s getting back to her routine. I wanted to encourage that.”
My chest warms. “You’re an amazing friend. She’s lucky to have you.”
A small grin lights up his face, but it quickly transforms into a yawn. “Sorry. I better get to bed. If I’m not careful, I might fall asleep right here.”
“Night.”
“Night, Ry.” He takes a step out of the room but instantly returns. “Any fun plans for tomorrow?”
“Just work. It’s the end of the spring semester, so my younger students are heading into summer break.”
His expression brightens. “Should we celebrate?”
I chuckle. “Maybe onceallmy classes are done, though I’m headed to Cali pretty soon after that.”
“Okay. How about ordering dinner and watchingArcaneafter work?”
“Sounds great. I should be home around six.”
“Awesome. It’s a date.” With a sleepy wink, he shuffles out of the room.
Heart stumbling, I rub my forehead. Did he really just say “It’s a date?” What is going on?
My five-year-olds have almost perfectedtheir Sugar Plum Fairy dance. I count in my head as they finish. It’s everything I hoped for when class started in September.
“Well done, my sugarplums. I’m so proud of each and every one of you.” With an encouraging smile, I clap. “Keep practicing over the summer, but please don’t forget to enjoy your time off. I can’t wait to hear what you get up to when I see you in September.”
