Page 26 of You're the Reason

“I need to be able to not just do moves but practice entire sections of stage choreography that will take most of the room. And I will be teaching the camp during the late mornings as soon as school gets out.”

Jon nodded at Seth. “You work days. So, what if she uses this space during the day? You use it in the evenings. And you keep your weights lined along the end wall.”

Seth stared at Grace for a moment. His dark eyes seemed to study her, saying words that she couldn’t decipher at this point. Then he focused back on Jon. “I can do that.”

Grace took his cue and directed her words to Jon. “I’ll be done by five o’clock every day, and he can use it in the evenings.”

Jon flipped the keys over in his hand as his gaze bounced between them. “Anything else?”

“What about Saturdays?” She finally looked back toward Seth. “Can I share the space with you on Saturday mornings?”

Seth hesitated a moment then took a step closer. “Sure.”

“Your shoes.” Grace winced at the wet footprint he’d just made.

Seth’s hand lifted in confusion. “What about them?”

“You aren’t supposed to have street shoes on a Marley floor.”

“You want me to remove my shoes every time I walk in and out?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“How about”—Jon stepped between them—“Seth will use the back door that’s closer to the door to the apartment, and you can use the front. Closer to your parents’ place. He’ll only wear his shoes along that wall.”

Jon pinned Seth with a stare.

Seth nodded and looked back at Grace. “I’ll stay off the rest except for when I am working out, then I’ll be barefoot. How does that sound?”

Not ideal but that was probably the best offer she’d get. “I’m not living with my parents. I’m living with Ms. Bunting, but that works.”

“Seth, why don’t you walk me out, then you can come move your weights out of her way.” Seth nodded, and the two disappeared out the back door.

As soon as it clicked shut, Grace hurried over to where she’d dropped her bag and pulled out a roll of white athletic tape. She measured off the space he’d need to walk along the wall and stretched the tape from the steps that led to the back door all the way to the door that led to the apartment. The white line ran parallel to the wall about two and a half feet out.

Then she hurried over to the end wall and began boxing out a space for his weights. She had just secured the final side when the back door rattled as it opened, then shut. She stood and spun to face him.

Seth’s gaze followed the white line from the back door to the door leading to his apartment, then looked back at her. “Is this for me?”

“Just didn’t want there to be any misunderstanding.”

“Despite what you may think, Grace, life doesn’t always fit in a box.” With that he walked through the door of his apartment, letting it slam behind him as he went.

There he went again, acting like he knew her. But he didn’t. Maybe they had been neighbors when she was a kid, but a lot had happened since then.

She stepped over to a bar of weights and tried to lift it. The thing didn’t move. She bent her knees and tried again. Nothing. Maybe she could roll it into the square.

“Don’t hurt yourself. Seth is just changing clothes, then he’ll move his stuff out of your way.” Jon stood by the steps. “I came back to make sure you’re okay. Do you think this arrangement will work?”

She forced a smile and took a step toward him. “Is he safe? I mean ... do you trust him?”

Seth had broken into not one but two of Jon’s buildings in a week. Did the guy really think Seth was trustworthy?

Jon winced. “I wouldn’t have suggested it if I didn’t trust him a hundred percent. I would trust him to babysit Isabella if that gives you any indication. But if you don’t feel safe, then?—”

“It’s only for a little while anyway.” Because there wasn’t any other option that ended with her having a space to dance. “I hope to be back in Chicago before the end of the summer.”

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