The little girls crowd me, hugging me one after another. I wrap my arms around their shoulders, wishing each one an amazing summer.
Once the room is empty, I pack up. If I leave now, I can be at Hayden’s place by six like I promised.
My heart gallops at all the possibilities tonight might bring. A rush of adrenaline surges through me, making me feel energized and awake. Though I’m trying not to get ahead of myself, his little “date” comment makes me giddy.
As I’m slipping my phone into my bag, a man clears his throat from the doorway. “Hi, Riley.”
Shit. Finance Guy.
“Hey.” I frown, my hackles rising. “What are you doing here? Rosie andyour wifeare already gone.”
He shuffles closer, scanning the room. When he’s a few feet away, he takes a deep breath and fixes his focus on me. “I’m sorry. What I did wasn’t fair to you or my wife, and it especially wasn’t fair to Rosie. I made a mistake, jeopardized my marriage, hurt you.”
“You didn’t hurt me.” I lift my chin and pull my shoulders back. “You just proved me right—I can’t trust men.”
He grimaces, slipping his hands into his pockets. “I swear I’m not that guy. I’ve never cheated on my wife, never?—”
A loud scoff escapes me, making him fall silent. In my book, kissing someone who’s not your spouse would be considered unfaithful. So would heavy petting.
“But you made me lose my mind,” he whispers. “I didn’t even think about what I was doing. I just wanted more. And it was wrong.”
Irritation flares to life in my veins. Is he seriously putting some of the blame on me? “So if I wasn’t Rosie’s dance teacher, you wouldn’t have stopped seeing me?”
He lowers his head. It’s the only answer I need. Fucking asshole.
“You should leave.”
He steps toward me, coming too close. I take a step back, then another, my back hitting the barre. I’m not scared, but being this close to him disgusts me.
“Leave, Will,” I hiss.
“I-I have no right to ask you this,” he says pleadingly, “but can you please not say anything to my wife? Please. It would ruin my family.”
I snicker. “You almost fucked me in the back seat of your car, and now you’re worried about ruining your family?”
He puffs his cheeks, his face reddening. “It was a mistake. You were so willing?—”
The anger in my blood turns to fury. “Get. Out.”
“Shit, I’m sorry?—”
I skirt him and open the door wide. “Leave,” I say, my voice loud, “or I’m calling security.”
“Please, just don’t say anything to my wife.” He trudges to the door but stops at the threshold. “Please.”
“I won’t say anything to your wife, but not because you asked. I’ll do it for Rosie. She deserves better than this mess you’ve made,” I grit out. “Now fuck off.”
He nods and rushes out of the room.
With a long exhale, I shut the door. Then, I sag against the wall and slide to the floor. My body is trembling; my skin is damp and sticky. I’m so fucking disgusted. How could I have fallen for his bullshit?
It’s almosteight when I step out of the elevator. The altercation with Finance Guy left me with tense shoulders and a stiff neck. Not even the bouquet of roses I picked up for myself on my way to the penthouse cheered me up.
I slip out of my shoes then follow the sound of the TV and the scent of something spicy to the living room. It only now hits me that I didn’t text Hayden to let him know I’d be late.
The coffee table is littered with unopened containers from his favorite Thai restaurant, and he’s slumped back on the couch, wearing a pair of gray sweatpants and nothing else. Only when I clear my throat does he acknowledge me, and even then, it’s only with a dull look.
“Hey. Sorry I’m late. I got sidetracked.” That’s putting it lightly, but I’m too exhausted to go into detail tonight.
