“Oh, I’m not… well, it’s complicated. He’s really my nephew.”
“Oh!” Marcus said. His hazel eyes glinted as he looked me up and down, tongue darting out to wet his lips. “I’m here with my niece, actually. Big fan of ballet?”
I laughed as heat rushed to the tips of my ears. I’d almost forgotten what it felt like to be blatantly flirted with. Flattering, but…
I glanced over at Felix as he adjusted Sarah’s position, as gentle and firm as ever.
“It’s been growing on me,” I said. “I’m not exactly built for it, but if Benji’s into it?—”
“Wait, isthatFelix Bennet?” Marcus interrupted, staring at Felix. “I thought he was…”
“That’s him,” I confirmed, a swell of pride rising up under my ribs at the look on Marcus’ face. Like a toddler seeing Santa at the mall for the first time.
“Wow. Which studio…?” Marcus squinted at the paper sign taped on the mirror above our portion of the barre. “Rising Up?Otter Bay?”
The way his brows drew together spoke volumes.
“That’s us,” I said with an unintentional hint of defensiveness. Marcus must have heard it, because when he looked at me again, his face was apologetic.
“Sorry, just… he’s legendary.”
“And you’ve never heard of either the studio or the town.” I smiled wryly. “We’re lucky to have him.”
I was just now beginning to realize how true that was. Felix wasfamousin the world of ballet. He was—or had been, at least—a huge deal.
In person, he didn’t give the impression of being any kind of celebrity at all. He was sweet, and patient, and he’d never once behaved as though he deserved any kind of deference or special treatment. He was a regular person.
Except he wasn’t. Marcus was right to be surprised that he was teaching at such a tiny studio in such a small town.
“You’re telling me,” Marcus said. “Wow.”
I laughed. “Benji idolizes him.”
“Iidolize him,” Marcus said. “I’ll be taking advantage of our newfound friendship to swing an introduction later.”
“I’m sure he’d love to meet you. He’s…”
Sweet and humble and he’s not at all spoiled or cold like you might think. He’s a little guarded, or he was, but he’s started to open up lately even if he’s still hurt. He’s incredible.
Marcus looked at me again, then at Felix, then back at me. I could almost hear the gears ticking in his head as understanding broke over his face.
Was I that obvious?
Probably. I thought Felix was incredible, and I’d never been good at hiding my feelings. Not that I wanted to. Felixwasincredible, and I wanted everyone to acknowledge that.
“I am barking up the wrong sexy tree,” Marcus said, sighing dramatically.
I offered him an apologetic smile. “Tiny bit.”
Marcus looked over at Felix again, raising a brow. “Would he be into a threesome, maybe?”
I laughed. Felix clearly heard me, turning away from the kids for a second to glance over. I gave him a tiny wave, and earned a smile in return before he went back to the kids.
“He might, but I’m kinda boring like that,” I said. “He’s… I love him.”
I hadn’t told Felix that.
I would. I’d tell him tonight. Whatever happened today, whether we came first or dead last, I’d tell him how I felt.
