Page 81 of The Way We Touch

“I’ll help her with an audition video, too.” I do my best to recall everything she’ll need to apply. “I can teach her a short scene from The Nutcracker or Swan Lake to perform.”

It was all the things I was in the process of doing when my dance career fell apart.

“Oh, thank you,” her mother whispers, and I look up to see her eyes are filled with tears. “Having you here is such a blessing to us.”

Her words put a lump in my throat. They reinforce my reclamation of the “those who can’t, teach” insult.

Stepping forward, I give the woman a brief hug. “It’s my job. I’m here to help my students learn and grow.”

When I get home, I have my phone out to FaceTime with Logan while I make myself dinner.

“And when her mom started to cry, I almost cried with her.” I’m grating cheese onto a bowl of black bean and corn Maque choux Thomas sent home for me.

“You’ve got to stop with the crying while we’re apart.” He’s rubbing a towel over the side of his wet hair. “I don’t like it.”

He’s in a white tee and sweats, and he’s holding the phone as he walks to his refrigerator to take out a plastic cup containing a dark green liquid. I’m pretty sure it’s Garrett’s “signature” protein shake that he endorses for sports radio.

“They’re happy tears.” I take my dinner out of the microwave and a Guinness out of the refrigerator. “Are you drinking Garrett’s special formula?”

He nods, taking a long sip. “The man is a beast. He nearly killed me at leg day today.”

“I can’t tell.” I take a sip of my own beverage. “You’re looking like a snack tonight.”

That makes him laugh, and my stomach squeezes at the sound. “You’re looking like a teacher I’d like to…”

“Hey, Logan.” The loud voice from behind me almost makes me toss my phone across the room.

“Zane!” I fuss. “You scared the shit out of me.”

“I do still live here.” He takes my beer off the counter before continuing down the hall. “Night, you two. Try and keep the noise down.”

Shaking my head, I go to the refrigerator and pull out another beer. “Craig said he’s got me covered the weekend of the gala. I can leave Thursday after class and stay all the way til Monday morning!”

“I’ll arrange a jet to pick you up.” He takes out his iPad and starts tapping.

My nose wrinkles. “I’ll have to fly all by myself?”

“You’ll be amazed how fast you get used to it.” He has that snobby tone he gets sometimes, more and more now that he’s back in New York.

It reminds me that he’s always had all the money in the world, unlike my redneck family. Davis always curled his nose when I’d show up in bare feet or talk too loudly, but so far, Logan doesn’t seem to mind. He’s a little obsessed with my red toenails, and he’s best friends with Garrett, after all.

“What’s that face about?” He’s also the most observant boyfriend I’ve ever had.

“Nothing.” I force a laugh. “I was just feeling nervous or something.”

“Don’t be nervous. I’ll send you everything you need to do and the flight attendants will take good care of you. I’ll make sure of it.”

I grab the bottle of Louisiana Hot Sauce and shake a few drops into my bowl. “What about your friends at the party?” My voice is quiet. “What if they don’t like me?”

He pauses a moment, and I appreciate him not dismissing my question as childish or silly. “I know my friends pretty well.” He walks over and sits in the chair. “The guys will love you, and Johnson’s wife Maddy is from a little town in Georgia. She’s dying to meet you, and Garrett will be there. I’ll be there.”

The fear in my chest relaxes a little. “That sounds good.”

“I’m not going to lie, I don’t intend to stay very long at that gala. I’ve got other plans for your visit.”

His gaze darkens, and my stomach flips. “Okay.”

“Be sure to pack that jersey.”

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