Page 75 of Timelessly Ours

I give him a tentative smile. “Yes.”

“Welcome. We received your online consent forms. Thanks again for signing up. Rory will catch up to Nicole in no time.”

I blink. Consent?

“Right this way.” He comes around the side and opens the door for me. It’s loud with combat grunts and bodies tumbling onto padded mats. He extends an arm to a seating area where a few people are tuned in, some on phones, some watching the action on the floor.

My eyes instantly land on the brunette in the white uniform and black belt and the curly-haired redhead next to her.

I nod a thank you. And he nods more profoundly…almost like a miniature bow.

“May I get a printed copy of the consents when you have a moment?”

“Of course. I’ll get those ready for you.”

My jaw is tight as I watch them from the glass wall. My arms folded across my chest.

“Daddy.” The familiar little voice eases some of my tension and I watch my barefooted princess race to me. I kneel to greet her but glare at the woman who brought her here.

And she…doesn’t look very sorry at all.

“Daddy, I learned to punch and kick today.”

“Did you?” It’s an absent response but I can’t give any more right now.

Nicole finishes her routine with a man who also wears a black belt, and bows before reluctantly following Rory out to me.

I stand, leveling my gaze with Nicole’s but keeping my hands on Rory’s shoulders. “I know you’re new at this, but this is the sort of thing you need to check with me first.”

“No, it’s not."

“Excuse me?”

“I said it’s not,” she snaps and her eyes glisten. She turns and grabs Rory’s hand. “Come on. You need practice.”

“Is there a problem, Mr. Collins?” The young woman from the front desk appears beside me, handing me the papers I’d supposedly completed online.

I take them. “No. No problem. How long is this session?”

“They should be done in another twenty minutes. Nicole prepaid for an extensive lesson today.”

Of course she did.

“Thank you.”

I sit back on the bench and watch Nicole expertly combat with a professional. A younger black belted girl—high school age—is with Rory, teaching her basics.

I could have taught her that. I grumble internally.

Next, the girl with Rory pairs her with a little boy maybe a year or two older and huskier. He’s in a yellow belt.

What do they think they’re doing? Pairing her up with a kid who probably can’t control his own—

He bows to her, and she mimics. Then he stretches his leg briskly and in the blink of an eye, Rory falls on her side.

I’m on my feet and glance at Nicole, who watches them with a small smile—but the pain in her eyes is far from gone.

Rory stands and the boy tries the same move again. This time, Rory blocks him and twists his foot, making him fall harder on the matted floor.

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