Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 97724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
“Birdie and I are headed out, too,” Dani says. “I have to finish packing. We’re meeting at the airport at eight?”
“Last I heard, yes.”
“I’ve never flown on a private plane before. It can get us all the way to London?”
“It’s the largest plane in the fleet,” I reply. “It’s so big, we won’t even have to stop anywhere for fuel.”
“Crazy,” she says, shaking her head. “Thank you again for including us. And I want to make it very clear to you that I’m friends with you, I love you because of who you are as a human, Skyla. It has absolutely nothing to do with your money or this trip.”
I blink at the tears that want to form and yank her into a tight hug. “I know it.”
“I’m sure that people have tried to use you or been manipulative—”
“Hey.” I pull back and brush my hand down her pretty dark hair. “Aye, they’ve done all of those things, but I’m good at choosing the right people to have in my life. You’ve been my friend since I came to town and no one knew anything about me. You just welcomed me into your friend group, and made me feel like I belong here.”
“You do belong here,” Dani insists.
“I want you to come to London because you’re my support system. You and Bee are my best friends in the whole world. Don’t tell Mik.”
Dani laughs at that.
“It’s handy that my family has more money than God Himself, and all I have to do is say the word to have you all with me. I know that I’m a lucky girl. And I’m so grateful that you’re coming because I’m going to need a pep talk before that performance.”
“I’ll give you all of the pep talks you need. I’ll have snacks on hand and a Taylor Swift and P!nk playlist already curated for this occasion. We’ve got this, babe.”
“See? You get me, Dani Blackwell.”
Maybe someday, Dani and Bee will be my sisters-in-law. That would be incredible.
“I absolutely get you.”
“Mama, I’m hungry,” Birdie says, slipping her hand into her mother’s.
“I know, pumpkin. We’re going.” Dani kisses my cheek. “See you in the morning. I might FaceTime you later to go over what I’m packing.”
“Do it. I want to see it all, and it’ll keep my mind occupied with something other than being nervous.” I walk them to the door and then sigh when it’s just Riley and me left.
After tonight, my studio will be closed for the next ten days.
We’ll be in London tomorrow, but the performance is five days after that. Mik and I want to make sure we’re through the jet lag and in peak condition before we perform, then we’ll take a couple of days to decompress before we come home.
Although it’s true that I’m nervous, I’m also excited. My parents will meet us there, and I’ll have everyone that I cherish most in this world with me for ten whole days. Not to mention, I get to dance with my partner. The rehearsals have been rigorous, but we’re ready, and I’m so grateful that we have this opportunity to dance together one more time. To finish our career together on our terms.
“It’s going to be fun, Riley, and I promise you’ll have a grand time with Brad and Sadie. You won’t even know that I’m gone.” Riley’s lying on his bed, watching me intently. “Beck should be here shortly. Let’s head to the back and start shutting everything down.”
Riley leaves his bed at my command, and we walk into the back room so I can type some notes on my computer, reply to a couple of emails, and use the bathroom.
With a frown, I check the time. Beck should be here by now.
“He probably lost track of time,” I tell Riley as the bell above the front door dings. “There he is. I’ll be right out!”
I turn to grab my handbag and the light jumper I brought for this evening. The spring days have been warm, but it’s still brisk after the sun goes down.
Suddenly, Riley starts to growl.
“Hey, what’s gotten into you?” I rub his neck, but he doesn’t stop. “It’s just Beckett, baby. Come on, let’s go.”
But when I step around the wall that separates the office from the studio, I stop, and my blood runs cold.
Riley barks.
Lewis’s gaze flicks down to my dog, then back to me. He pastes on a fake, smarmy smile.
“Hello, tiny dancer.” Oh God. How did he find me? Why is he here?
Bile rises in the back of my throat. God, I fecking hate that name.
Riley’s snarling now, gnashing his teeth. I didn’t even have to give him a signal. It’s as if he just knows.
But I do give him the signal to intimidate.
“Shut him up,” Lewis snarls.
I simply shake my head and pray that Beckett’s almost here. Why did I let my guard down? Why didn’t I lock the door behind Dani?