Page 53 of When We Break

The man has a little bit of everything. This isn’t a bachelor’s kitchen, with just beer and chips. He obviously cooks for himself often.

So I pull out the farm-fresh eggs—I could hear the hens when I took Riley out, and I can’t wait to meet them later—and get to work chopping vegetables for an omelet.

It’s not what I’d typically eat before I came to the States, but I can see the appeal. Loaded with veggies, eggs, and cheese, it’s a filling breakfast rich in protein and nutrients. Ma used to have Chef make this with sausage, bacon or beans, and black pudding, all separated rather than combined, but I’ve adapted to this as a fairly quick alternative.

As I’m grating a potato for hash browns, my phone rings, startling me.

“Hey, Mik.” I set it to speakerphone and go back to grating. “And how are you this fine morning?”

He’s silent for a moment. “And who is this man that has you sounding this way?”

I smirk. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I know you, and I know this voice. Tell me.”

“You haven’t come to visit me, so you wouldn’t know him,” I remind Mik. “But he’s someone new in my life, and I’m quite smitten. That’s all I’ll say. Now, what are you about?”

“We need to talk.” I pause in my grating and frown.

“About what?”

“I want you to listen to me, and do not interrupt, and do not tell me no until you’ve heard what I have to say. Promise me, Skyla.”

“Now you’re making me nervous.”

“Promise.”

“Yes, fine, I promise. Now, talk before I have an anxiety attack.”

He takes a deep breath, and I frown as I cross to the sink, where I can look outside. The mountains look beautiful out here, and I can see chickens walking around the yard.And to think Beck gets to see this every day.It makes me a wee bit jealous.

“We’ve been asked to danceone performanceofGisellein London for the coronation of King Frederick.”

I scowl at the poor chickens. “That’s ridiculous. Why wouldn’t The London Ballet Company be asked to do that?”

“Because we are the best, of course. And because he saw us perform it once, and he loved it and wants us.”

“Us, as in, you and me?”

“Of course. There is no one else.”

I sigh and close my eyes. “Mik. I love you so much, and I won’t lie and say that I don’t miss dancing with you because you know I do. But Ican’t.My ankle isn’t where it should be.”

“It’s been almost a year since your injury,” he says, frustration heavy in his voice. “No doctor will tell you that you can’t dance.”

“No, in fact, I’ve been given clearance to dance, but that doesn’t mean that the joint is strong enough for what I’d have to put it through to get into shape for a performance like this. Mik, I’ve gained weight.”

“How much weight?”

“Ten pounds.”

“Psh, you can take that off. Rehearsal alone will take that right off you, and you know it. Tighten up your diet, malishka.”

Restrict my diet again. Go hungry again. Hate every extra pound, all over again.

“Mik—”

“I said don’t say no. It isoneperformance, Skyla. I am not asking you to move back to New York City and pick up where you left off. It is one night.”

---