“Of course not. Well, congratulations again,” Marcus said, backing away a step. “I’ll leave you in peace. And maybe see you in LA one day!”
He waved as he stepped away. Felix waved back, still looking dazed. A lot had happened in the last few minutes, so that probably shouldn’t have been a surprise.
I bent down to pick Benji up, balancing him on my hip. “Ready to go home and show that to Grandma and Grandpa?” I asked, nodding to the medal he was still clutching in his hand.
Benji nodded. Now that the excitement was over, he was flagging—and so were the other kids. If we didn’t get them home soon, we’d have five cranky first-graders on our hands.
Felix was great with them, but experience had taught me that there was only so much you could do against being overtired and in unfamiliar surroundings. All things considered, we’d gotten off light, and the kids had been on their best behavior.
“Do we need to sign any paperwork, or…?” I asked Felix.
“I’ll make sure we’re good to go. You load them into the car,” he said, clapping twice to get their attention.
Five little pairs of eyes swung instantly to him. I could almostseetheir ears perking up.
They really did love him.
“All of you have been amazing and I cannotwaitfor you to tell your parents about this,” he said. “So let’s go home, yeah?”
A chorus of slightly quieteryeahs than when I asked if we were ready to leave rose up. Felix and I exchanged a nod, and I called for the kids to follow me to the parking lot.
While I was counting heads for the fifth time in seven minutes once we reached the car, I caught sight of Annabelle heading for a tiny yellow hatchback I assumed got great mileage and couldn’t be relied on to drive uphill without throwing a tantrum. She saw me, too, and gave me a cheerful wave.
I waved back, stomach twisting as I turned around to get the kids loaded into the back.
23
FELIX
By the timethe sign for Big Dick’s Lube and Service came into view on the road into town, I still couldn’t believe everything that’d happened today.
We’d won. We’d actuallywon.
I’d wanted to, of course. I’d beentryingto.
It was just that I’d never really believed wewould. I was nobody and had no experience.
Maybe Amelia had been right. Maybe I did havesomething. Something to contribute to the world of ballet, other than performance.
Ahead of us, the setting sun caught the gentle ripples of the bay, making it glitter pink and orange in the last of the fading light. The town nestled between the road and the water, lights starting to glow warm in the windows. I could see the studio from here, the tasteful sign in big white letters. I hadn’t noticed it on the cab ride into town, but now…
It’d become familiar. I would’ve recognized it anywhere.
Cooper’s profile was the same, backlit by the sunset. I knew every line and angle of his face. I knew the tiny beauty spot on his ear lobe, and the little white scar through his eyebrow. I couldn’t see it right now, but I could’ve reached out and traced it. Run my fingertip along the length of his nose.
Possibly not while he was driving. But maybe later?
“Leg hurt?” Cooper asked, glancing in the rearview mirror.
It did. The stress of the day had made me careless, and sitting still for two long drives hadn’t helped.
I looked down and realized I’d been rubbing it idly. Cooper must’ve noticed.
I hated that. More than ever.
“I’m fine,” I said, moving my hand away.
“Okay,” Cooper responded, a hurt note in his voice.
