Page 158 of The Perfect Mistake

“Yes. There’s something that looks like it could be a lawn mower over there,” he says with a nod. “The kids are imaginative.”

“It’s a great idea, isn’t it?” The woman’s eyes land on mine, and her smile stretches just a bit wider. It looks entirely fake. “I see that you’re accompanied by your children’s nanny tonight again.”

Alec’s arm curves more firmly around my waist. “No,” he says. “Isabel is my girlfriend.”

Alec

“That’s it!” I hear the sound of Isabel’s voice, encouraging and upbeat, and the patter of feet. “Just like that. That looks wonderful, girls.”

I lean against the doorframe. Isabel is teaching three little girls, one of whom is Willa, the different starting positions in ballet. The studio is bright and airy, with the faint smell of fresh paint lingering in the air.

Classes haven’t officially started yet. Willa is Isabel’s first student, the guinea pig, and so far she seems to love every minute of it. She even convinced two of her best friends to join in her second lesson.

Isabel is dressed much like she was the first time I saw her at the old Dance Academy, twirling through a sea of dust motes and illuminated by the rays of the sun. Her dark hair is in a high bun. Her arms are bare, her long legs in tights. She is fluidity personified, in a pair of satin shoes, showing the girls the different starting positions in ballet.

Neither she or Diane had let me invest in the studio. I’d offered. Twice, actually, and Isabel had said no. I understood why. Freedom is a beautiful thing, and it’s been a long time since she had it.

I want to help, but I want her to soar on her own wings more.

I’d inherited a company. I know how hard it is to make it yours; and there’s a part of me that envies her, a chance to start something from the ground.

It takes the girls a long time to notice that I’m watching. Willa is the first, catching sight of me in one of the giant mirrors.

“Dad!” Willa calls. She’s beaming from ear to ear. “Look, we’re doing the third position.”

“I see. It looks great. You too, girls.”

“Can you stay to watch?”

“Yes, of course,” I say. “But I only think there’s ten minutes left.”

The girls look at each other and immediately start whispering. Isabel laughs and nods. “Yes,” she says warmly. “We can try.”

Apparently they’d asked her before if they could try spins, and she’d said it would have to wait until the end. The girls struggle. Isabel is patient, helpful, and not nearly as stern as I would have expected. It shouldn’t surprise me. She’s always had a caring touch.

Afterward, when the girls are sitting down to put on their sneakers, Isabel comes over to me.

“Hey,” she says.

I wrap an arm around her waist. “Hi, sweetheart.”

“It went great.” Her voice is buzzing. “So good, actually. I really like teaching.”

“You’re great at it,” I murmur against her temple.

She sighs. It’s a happy sound. “My old teachers would roll over in their graves if they saw the techniques I’ve been using. Well. None of them are dead, but you know what I mean. They taught me a lot, and they were incredible, but I don’t want to be like them. I want the kids to know that dancing is fun. That there doesn’t—oh, awesome girls! You’re all ready to leave?”

Willa nods and looks up at me. “Can we drop off Dora and Elsie?”

“Yeah, and we’ve already cleared it with your parents,” I tell them both. “Come on, girls, let’s get you in the car.”

“There are snacks waiting for you,” Isabel says. The girls race ahead, and we follow at a leisurely pace.

I brush her hand with mine. “Grand opening in three weeks.”

She smiles. “Thanks for reminding me. I’d just been able to forget it.”

“Don’t be nervous. You and Diane know what you’re doing.”

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