Page 48 of Chasing Your Ghost

“Good idea.”

“Right.”

“Cool.”

“Great.”

“Mhm.” Riley’s head bobbed up and down in the world’s least casual nod.

“I’ll see you later.” Asher sent her a lopsided smile before he disappeared, sending a warm feeling spreading down Riley’s body. She was so royally screwed.

13

“How’s your mom doing?” Riley asked Noah on Friday night at the dinner table.

“Better,” her stepbrother replied. “She’s been eating a lot more this week, and she’s had a lot more energy.”

“That’s amazing.”

But despite his words, Riley could see that Noah wasn’t doing well—his smiles throughout dinner had been forced, and his eyes still held far too much grief. Between his mother’s illness and Asher’s disappearance, he was suffering, and she wished she could do something to help him.

“She actually asked if you’d want to come for dinner on Monday to meet her.”

Riley happily nodded as she finished chewing her bite of steak. “Yeah, that sounds great,” she said once she’d swallowed. “I’d love to.”

“Cool. I’ll let her know.”

“Can I come too?” Olivia asked her half-brother. “I haven’t seen her in so long, and I want to get a look at what she’s been working on.”

“Of course, Livvy,” Noah replied. “You know you’re always welcome there.”

Olivia practically glowed with joy, and Riley marveled at how different she seemed to the brat who’d been so unwelcoming to her on that first day. Riley had never believed in miracles before, but the teenager hadn’t been rude or standoffish since Riley had made a smoothie for her. It seemed that whatever Olivia’s problem with her had been, it was over.

“Speaking of which, she wanted to know if you’re dancing in any competitions soon,” Noah added.

“None any time soon.”

“The USA IBC is next year,” Edith said, jumping into the conversation with her usual enthusiasm. “It’s still a long way away, but applications will start in October.”

The USA International Ballet Competition, which had been postponed because of Covid, was only held every four years. Riley knew how big a deal it was in the dance world, so she wasn’t surprised Olivia would be applying. She’d been too young to compete in the previous one, but she remembered how upset her grandmother had been about her ineligibility.

“Sounds important,” Noah said to Olivia. “You excited for it?”

Olivia shrugged. “It’s a huge deal, but I probably won’t be selected. Only the best of the best are chosen.”

Hugh chuckled. “Don’t get all humble on us now. You know you’re amazing.”

“It’s true,” Riley agreed. “Miss Markova showed me a video of you dancing in a competition last year. You killed it.” Riley wasn’t lying. Olivia was crazy talented.

Her half-sister looked taken aback. “She showed you that?”

Riley chewed on her bottom lip before saying, “Yeah. I hope it’s okay that I asked to see it.”

“Sure,” Olivia replied, her eyes still a bit too wide as she stared at Riley. “I don’t mind.”

“I know you said you don’t enjoy competitions anymore, but is there any chance you’d want to apply for the IBC, Riley?” Edith asked.

“No.”

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