Page 70 of A Temporary Forever

The visit lifted the veil of hostile energy between us, like we seized the opportunity to exorcise our frustration.

My disappointment lingers, and so does Caleb’s distance, but somehow the fun exercise and Mia’s presence showed us we can put the night behind us.

Not that I’ve stopped thinking about it. His hands on my body, the reverence of his touch, the expert manhandling. The way he took care of me before he chased his own release.

Like my body had been waiting for him and came alive under his ministrations. Flashbacks of his fingers digging into my hips, him filling me to the hilt, the flickering lights of Manhattan, my breasts heavy in his hands… and his words.

Merde, his words.Show me that dancer body of yours, black swan.

Caleb’s phone rings. He glances at the screen and groans. “Sorry, I have to take it. Think about what you want for supper.” He winks at Mia and takes a few steps away before answering.

“This was fun. Thank you.” Mia swirls her straw through the crushed ice, watching the motion.

“We can come again.” I smile at her, even though she’s avoiding eye contact. Even though I can’t promise we will. “Or you can come to a rehearsal with me next time if you’d like.”

I understand this girl landed in my life by chance, and that her father probably doesn’t want me bonding with her, but I can’t help it.

She stops stirring, but doesn’t look up. “Okay.”

“Did you enjoy hip-hop?”

Maybe I’m pushy, but there was something behind the girl’s response earlier, and I know how hard it is to find a place in the world of dancing.

“I loved it,” she murmurs.

We sit on a bench by the small parkette while Caleb paces the sidewalk, arguing with someone.

“When I was little, much younger than you, I wanted to be a ballerina. I took classes, but I was too clumsy and big for the delicate dance. There were girls who used to laugh at me.”

“I’m good. We won a competition, but…” She fidgets, her shoulders slouching.

I worry she won’t continue, but I don’t want to make her more uncomfortable.

Caleb has his head down, listening to whoever’s got him all riled up.

After a moment she continues. “My group still competes and performs, but it costs money to travel and buy costumes and…” She stands and dunks her cup into the garbage bin.

“But you could afford it now. Caleb gave you a credit card, didn’t he?”

She spins around. “Yes, but I already use it for… Never mind. I don’t want him to cut me off because I overspend.”

“Oh, Mia, have you bought an airplane?” I decide to lighten the moment, because the tortured face of that little girl is breaking my heart.

She chuckles. “An airplane?”

“Don’t do that, but I’m sure you can put your dancing expenses on that card. It would make Caleb happy.”

“I don’t know. I heard him talking to his brother on the phone and telling him I only come to get his money, so I-I don’t want to…” She looks away, chewing on her bottom lip.

“Mia.” I sigh, wishing I could take some of the heaviness from her shoulders. “I know the two of you are just starting to find your way, getting to know each other, and unfortunately, a lot of people try to get money from your dad, so he sometimes assumes—”

“Sorry about that.” Caleb joins us.

“Is everything okay?” I ask, forgetting I don’t really want to talk to him.

He shakes his head. “Don’t worry about it.” He turns to Mia. “So, where are we getting supper?”

Fuck him. “We’re thinking kebabs, but Mia wants to tell you something,” I decide to push my luck one more time.

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