Page 94 of Lights, Camera, Love

He’s leaning against the doorframe in grey jeans and a white T-shirt with an olive-green shirt unbuttoned over the top. His dark, long-lashed eyes are fixed on mine.

‘Kye,’ I breathe. Even though he couldn’t possibly hear me over the Doechii track blasting through the speakers, a ghost of a smile warms his face. My cheeks heat as I spin back to face the mirror and call out the next round of moves, trying to rebuild my melted kneecaps.

He’s here.

The timing, the outfit—he evidently came to see me rather than dance, so when my lesson finishes, I shoot Rafael a quick text apologising that I won’t be joining his late class after all. I’ve got the rest of my life to learn new salsa moves. Right now, a face-to-face with Kye feels wildly overdue, even though I’m terrified of what he has to say.

Once my students have headed off, I sling my bag over my shoulder and step up to where he’s quietly waiting at the back of the studio.

‘Hi, beautiful,’ he says softly.

Like I’m powerless over my own body, I rise onto my toes and fold my arms around his neck, pressing myself against him. His warm breath feathers over the skin beneath my ear, and he grips me tightly before he pulls back.

‘You didn’t tell me you were coming,’ I say. ‘Why didn’t you do the class?’

He clears his throat. ‘I have somewhere I need to be.’

‘Oh.’ Disappointed, I scan his smart-casual outfit, searching for evidence of what this ‘somewhere’ might be. A place? A person?

‘Evie, can we talk?’ Kye asks, and a flash of fear hits my stomach.

I’m worried I already know what’s coming, but I keep my expression blank. ‘Sure. What is it?’

‘Can we go somewhere? Maybe that sushi place you—’

‘I’d rather talk here.’ If Kye’s going to break things off between us, I have no interest in nori rolls and salmon sashimi. I need to know right now.

‘You sure?’ he asks, glancing around the empty studio.

‘Yeah. I’m meeting Rafael after his class, so it’s just easier to stay here.’ I slip my bag off and sink down onto the wooden bench. The faint thumps of salsa beats drum against my back through the wall.

Kye sits beside me; just the feeling of his heavy thigh leaning against mine is enough to make my chest sting.

Please don’t leave me.

‘How are you?’ he asks gently, his gaze clinging to the side of my face.

‘Oh, that’s a big question. You mean in general or about us?’ I brave a direct glance at him, finding his cheeks pink.

‘In general,’ he murmurs. ‘You heard about the new director onMoving?’

‘Yeah.’ I nod down at my lap. ‘It’s great news. Fingers crossed she can save it from the brink of Buzz. I mean, death.’

He breathes a light laugh. ‘We can only hope.’

‘I also kind of made up with my dad.’

Kye’s surprised glance darts to mine. ‘You did?’ His brows lift higher. ‘Yourdad?’

‘I’m taking the word for a test drive,’ I reply with a subdued smirk. ‘Thank god, my mum’s been a lot better about it than I thought she’d be. Before Gabriel flew back to the States, they managed an actual conversation. To be honest, I think they know that they both screwed up in all this, and they just want to make it better for me.’

‘I’m so happy for you,’ he says, tenderness glimmering in his eyes.

‘Thanks.’ I graze my thumb over a loose thread in my sweatpants. ‘I’m also going to have a little half-brother soon. He’s going to be raised in America, but Gabriel said he’ll pay for me to visit as much as I want. He’s going to set up a room for me at his house in LA, which, judging by the photos, is bigger than anywhere I’ve ever livedandit’s got the most amazing ocean view.’

Kye’s eyes brighten as he smiles. ‘Wow.’

My lips kick up a little as I shrug. ‘Yeah. But that’s sort of by the by. It’s not like I hate the idea of all-expenses-paid trips to his Malibu mansion, but what I want most out of all this is a dad.’

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