Page 161 of Just One Bite
I lean into Parker in relief. I think it will be months before I can process everything that has happened.
“I should be apologizing to you. Cane’s father … I’ve worked under him for many years. I never thought he held malice toward my family. But …” He looks at Parker, then back to me. “He was originally arranged to marry Parker's mother before she met me."
"Woah, you never told me that," Parker says.
"I never thought the identity of who was important. The separation was messy, but we believed it to be settled. Parker’s mother worked closely with him at some points in her career with no issue. But I believe there might have been a history of jealousy I hadn’t picked up on. I knew he had ill feelings for myself, but I never imagined he’d passed down all that hatred to my son … and you, Olivia. I am deeply sorry.”
Parker’s dad offers me his hand, and I take it in acceptance.
"I have every intention of making this up to you and your family over time for my serious slack of judgement."
In my peripheral, Parker is smiling. Maybe there’s room for them to patch up old wounds, and me …
My father grabs my hand after a few minutes. “You scared me, kid.”
“You know I try not to.”
“You’re one tough cookie. I can’t wait to come see your ballet.”
What will happen now that the director's daughter was involved in this? Hopefully, they'll still let me dance. I decide not to worry. Things have a way of working out, and as I squeeze Parker's hand and he squeezes back I know I have the most important thing.
“You’ll come see?”
“Yes. In fact, I had a talk with the dean this morning. I think it may be time I stepped back into teaching. Doxlothia needs me.”
"Really?"
His eyes brim with tears before he hugs me. "It feels right. Your mother would approve. Plus, I'll get to see you all more often."
It’s been years since I’ve hugged my father like this. My family once felt so small and broken, but now I'm surrounded by love, and Parker is too.
"For the record, I like him." He motions to Parker, who's talking to his father and gorging himself on the food.
I smile as my mom’s optimistic words echo in my mind.
“Everything will be okay. It will all work out.”
Chapter Fifty-Five
Parker
Olivia is beautiful and graceful as she moves across the stage. There’s never been a more awe-striking, determined woman. I’m running out of adjectives to describe her. She moves with graceful ease through each variation. Her performance in Act 1 has Zant’s mouth falling open.
“I didn’t know this is what ballet was like. She’s good.”
She kept her spot, even after she reauditioned because of what happened with Octavia. And Mrs. Vix had to step down as the ballet director.
This role was meant for her. The stage lights cast her porcelain skin in a dark-blue haze as she dances in her long white romantic tutu. She taught me the differences.
I stay quiet in her head as she performs so she can focus, but as soon as she takes her last step off the stage, I hear her voice in my head and smile.
“How did I look?”
“The embodiment of perfection.”
Our whole row is on our feet when she comes to take her final bow on stage. We’re right in the front, and I have a bouquet of moon nightingales in one arm and food in the other. I’m dressed in a suit, ready to take her to the city just like I promised.
Her sisters, our dads, even Aster and Barrett came to see her. Though, likely for reputation purposes, is my guess. We aren’t friends, but seeing as I now holda council seat and Aster did help me save Olivia’s life, we’re working through our differences.
