Page 92 of Just a Little White Lie

“I’m trying. I even gave her money for her Haven Misfits Fund thingy.”

“The what?”

“She’s putting some money together to try and give her dance crew a night out or something. Some kind of treat.”

A broad smile stretches across my face. “She really loves those kids.”

“Yeah, she seems to.”

“It’s great. She didn’t even want to go back to teaching but knew she had to. The fact that she’s now going the extra mile…” I shake my head, pride bursting through me. “You gotta love that.”

“Yeah, it is great. And as much as I hate saying this after what I saw this afternoon”—he gives me a withering glare—“thank you for helping her. It must have been hard to put your dancing shoes back on again.”

I nod. “She’s helping me get over that. None of the crew know who I am. One of them thought she recognized me, but I just told her I wouldn’t know why we’d know each other.” I wince, hating the fact that it was a partial lie.

“It’s becoming old news.” Luke nods, his gaze turning serious. “You can put that behind you now. Move forward. This dance thing is working. You’ve definitely been a lot more relaxed and happier lately.”

I grin, silently telling him it’s not the dancing that’s making me that way.

He groans and tips his head back. “I hate you.”

I laugh.

“And if you dare tell me one sex story—”

I raise my hands in surrender. “None to tell.”

“Really?” Luke’s head jolts back in surprise.

“Not yet.” I wiggle my eyebrows at him, and he starts pulling faces again.

“I’m gonna be sick.”

“Stop being such a baby. She’s twenty-six!” I stand up, taking the two empty bottles with me and walking to the bar to buy the next round.

When I return, Luke’s face is back to neutral. “Higher Love” is now pumping through the speakers, and I take a seat with a relaxed grin.

We clink bottles, then drink in silence for a few minutes.

I feel like the air has cleared, and it’s a big relief. He was so riled this afternoon, I thought he might kick me out. It is his house, after all.

Man, where would I even go?

Probably back to Auckland.

Away from Lauren.

Yeah, that’s not gonna happen.

I think about what she’s up to tonight, probably trying to figure out what she’s going to say to Maverick tomorrow. My upper lip curls as I picture Mr. Bad Attitude with his surly expressions and cutting insults. He better not give her any grief.

“What are you scowling about?” Luke grabs my attention.

I tap the bottom of my bottle on the table. “Lauren’s got this one kid who’s a bit more trouble than the rest. He got into a fight at school today, and she’s trying to keep him in the dance crew anyway. I kind of want him kicked out. He might cause too much trouble, you know? I don’t want her to have to deal with that.”

“What’s so bad about him?”

“Rude, disrespectful, attitude to burn, and a quick temper by the sounds of things.”

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