Page 42 of Hush 3: Hidden Family

In my heart, I danced for him. I danced with the hope that he had come to see me dance for the first time. I felt him and the music in my blood.

“Thank you for joining my routine. You enhanced the performance. It wouldn’t have been as amazing without you.”

“Lies. I know my limits. I’m going to miss you so much. I can’t believe this is it. You’re going to knock them dead at the next level.

“You call me any time you need to talk. Don’t allow those divas to intimidate you. You flash a little of that secret badass if you have to, or call me to come straighten them out,” she says with a smile.

I look down at the floor as it hits me this is it. Ximena wasn’t accepted to the program we both applied to. She’s the one who talked me into applying.

I wasn’t going to go once I learned she was denied. Once again, she talked me into accepting and following the dream for us both. I will miss my friend.

I cup the side of her face. “You mean the world to me. If you ever need anything, I am only a call away and I do mean anything.

“I would take a life for you. You gave me friendship when I needed someone so badly. There is no way I could ever repay you.”

Her eyes tear up. “Being your friend is no hardship. I love everything about you, Sim and you saved my life. Friendship is the least of what I could offer after what you did for me.”

“Symphony, oh my God, that was amazing.”

I release Ximena to find Annabella rushing toward me. Uri and Nico are right behind her. My shoulders sag in disappointment as I look around them for Michael and he doesn’t come into view.

Disappointment tears through me and I reach for the band on my wrist. I’ve begun to wear one all the time now. Annabella covers my hand and gives it a squeeze.

“He’s proud of you. Things back home are just keeping him away from you,” she whispers into my ear.

“Come here, you,’” Nico croons. He lifts me into a bear hug. “Look at you, all grown up. Who knew you could be all graceful? You’re just full of magic and secrets, aren’t you?”

I frown at his teasing. I don’t get to see Nico much, but when I do, he’s always teasing me. The fact that he does so with a smile has always put me at ease.

I have learned his words are never meant to be harsh. It’s just brotherly taunting. Nico has had a smile for me since the day we met.

He places me back on my feet and smiles down at me as he towers over me. Nico is as handsome as Michael and Uri. He hands me two bouquets of flowers.

I smile and take them both to hold them to my nose. I must be going crazy because I swear I catch a hint of Michael’s cologne against the paper wrapping the roses.

I wrinkle my nose and begin to look around for him again. My heart sinks when I still don’t find him. I thought just maybe he would come.

“Wow, one day you will have to tell me how you know so many hot Italians,” Ximena breathes.

I laugh as I look between Uri and Nico. If only she could meet my husband. Her jaw would surely drop.

“Ximena, this is my family. My brothers and sister-in … They are my brothers and sister. Uri, Nico, Annabella, this is my friend Ximena.”

“Her best friend.” She corrects with a smile.

“Yes, my best friend.”

CHAPTER 23

In Love

Michael

Three years later …

I stare at the video chat, wondering when Sim became such a gorgeous woman. She’s looking back at me with those big, bright eyes, and I can’t remember when it happened.

When did I fall in love with my wife? I know, without a doubt, I love her. She doesn’t know that I’ve been in the States a number of times to see her.

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