Page 38 of Just a Little White Lie

Fate is keeping her out of arm’s reach, which is exactly where she should be.

LAUREN

Iworked late into the night putting together a week’s worth of dance lessons. I tried to mix it up and make sure I’ve got a variety of discussion, screen time, and practical activity. I’m still not super confident about it all, but at least I’m not going in completely unprepared like I was yesterday.

Erik shouldn’t have put me in that position, and I think he knows it, because he seems overly relieved to see me when I step back into the school this morning.

“Thank you for showing up.”

I give him a tight smile. “I’m a little more prepared today.”

He winces and I let him off, allowing his guilty look to be an apology as I graciously swipe my hand through the air.

“Don’t worry about it. I appreciate the job.”

“Well, if this week goes well, Helen would like to sign you on for the rest of the term. We can put together a fixed-term contract.”

A flush of panic courses through me. A whole term? Of this?

I can’t speak, so I just force my lips into a smile and stutter off down the hallway.

I chose three-inch platform heels today, so it’s easier to walk away quickly. I figure I’ll have to demonstrate some of these dance moves I’ve found, so I also wore pants with a little stretchability and a loose shirt that won’t restrict me. I’m feeling pretty as I strut the hallways, but my confidence diminishes with each step down toward the dance studio. I get to the bottom of the stairwell and have to take a moment to steel myself.

Dammit. Why did Jack have to be weird about the dancing thing?

Why couldn’t he have helped me?

I want to be mad at him, but I’m still too curious over his and Luke’s reactions to muster anything more than mild irritation.

I’m seriously going to have to uncover the mystery.

But first, I need to get through today.

“Good morning.” The soft greeting from Bianca distracts me.

“Oh, hey.”

“You’re back.” She grins.

“Yep.” My head bobs up and down like I don’t know how to stop it.

Bianca giggles, but the sound gets strangled by her wince, which makes my stomach drop. “I know it’s challenging, but Erik says you’re really capable, and I’m sure you’re gonna do a great job.” She awkwardly pats my arm. “Good luck.”

Why does her “good luck” feel like a final goodbye?

I grip my on-the-go coffee mug and walk toward my impending doom. I’m armed with my laptop today, plus a lesson plan that should carry me through the allotted time. I don’t have anything to worry about.

I keep telling myself that as I set up for the morning. I even work out how to get my computer connected to the projector on the ceiling and, after a minor tantrum, also get the screen to lower the way it’s supposed to. It’s now set up and ready to go, the projector humming in anticipation.

“You can do this. You can do this,” I mutter to myself.

The door opens behind me, and I spin, pasting on a smile as Maverick saunters in with an arrogant smirk, followed by his pack of rebels.

I can’t do this!

“’Sup, Miss Dancer?” Arlo grins at me, the mockery in his eyes enough to snap me straight and put on my teacher voice.

“Take a seat, guys. We’re starting with roll call.”

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