Page 145 of Just Like Home

The little girl shone up there, beaming as she performed her little heart out, and Cole knew that both of them were doing this for Julianna.

She would be so proud of them.

The song ended and the stage went dark. Cole watched as Connor picked up Amelia and hugged her, his shoulders moving as soft sobs overtook him. Amelia clung to him like she was afraid to let go, like this moment would disappear and she would lose her dad all over again.

When they didn’t exit the stage, Cole walked out in the darkness and ushered them into the wings on the opposite side, where Charlotte stood, her brow laced with concern.

“You okay?” Cole asked.

Connor glanced at Amelia. “Thanks, Bug. For letting me dance with you.” His voice broke and Cole had to look away.

Amelia squeezed her dad’s hand. “I love you, Daddy.”

Connor nodded, then looked at Cole. “I’m gonna . . .” His voice trailed off, his sentence unfinished, as he walked out the door.

“Should we make sure he’s okay?” Charlotte whispered.

“I think he might need some time on his own,” Cole said. “I’ll check on him in a little bit.” He put a hand on Amelia’s head. “You were sensational.”

Her smile looked forced. “Thanks.”

“You’ve still got one more dance,” Charlotte said. “You okay?”

Amelia nodded. “I’ll go change.” She rushed off, and Cole looked at Charlotte, who wore pointe shoes and a light pink costume.

“I’m going to watch your final dance from the audience.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Just another one of your adoring fans.”

And he meant it. He’d adore her for the rest of his days.

As he walked out into the dark lobby, his stomach wobbled when he remembered that she was holding on to something she wanted to tell him.

Aware that whatever it was might end up splitting them apart.

And Cole was pretty sure he wouldn’t withstand losing her now that he’d let himself fall in love.

47

Cole was about to pull open the door into the theatre when a woman’s voice stopped him.

“That was some performance.”

He turned and found a tall, pale-faced woman with dark hair and bright red lips staring at him. She wore thick eye makeup and her cheeks had been blushed pink.

“Thanks,” he said.

“And some kiss.”

A nervous laugh escaped. “That wasn’t part of the plan.”

“Caught up in the moment, perhaps?” She moved toward him like a lioness stalking its prey. Cole’s guard went up. Who was this woman? “You saw her dance, yes? You can’t possibly think that kind of talent should go to waste.”

“I don’t think it’s going to waste,” he said.

She laughed. “Here? What could she possibly dohere? That girl needs to be on the world’s biggest stages. She’s one of the best in the country—we certainly wouldn’t want to deprive audiences of her talent. Or Charlotte from her potential.”

He took a step back. “I think that’s for Charlotte to decide.” Never mind that he’d worried about that exact thing. “Now, if you’ll excuse me—”

“You’re the brother, right?” She stood directly in front of him now, and though she was several inches shorter than he was, her presence dwarfed him. “Julianna’s brother.”

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