Page 34 of Just Like Home

“We want the recital to be a tribute to Julianna,” Charlotte said. “A celebration of her life.”

Connor’s face twisted in a way she hadn’t expected.

“Knowing Jules, I think she would’ve wanted her students to have their recital.”

“She would’ve,” Cole said quietly. “It was her favorite part of the year.”

Charlotte glanced at him and a collective sorrow fell on the three of them. For a moment, however fleeting, they all had one thing in common—grief.

“It’s fine,” Connor said, avoiding her eyes. “Go ahead with the recital. It’s a good idea.”

“I’ll handle everything,” she said. “But there was one other thing—” It was a big ask, and she knew it. How did she even broach the subject?

He dragged his gaze to hers. “What?”

“Brinley said you and Amelia always did a dance,” Charlotte said.

Connor’s lip twitched. “We did.”

“No pressure at all, but I’d love to help you with that if you want.”

“I’ll think about it,” Connor said.

“I think it would be good for Amelia, and—”

“I said I’d think about it,” Connor interrupted.

Charlotte snapped her jaw shut.

The silence turned awkward again, and Cole’s eyes darted to hers.

“We’re also going to have a few tribute dances.” Charlotte struggled to find something to say to fill the space. “People who loved her can do fun numbers in her honor, and—”

Connor cut her off again. “It’s good, Charlotte,” he said. “Jules would be so happy.” His voice broke and he looked away. “Maybe you’re right, Cole. Maybe I do need to take the day off.”

Cole clapped a hand on the other man’s shoulder. “Let me handle things here, all right?”

“Thanks, man,” Connor said. He turned toward the door, then stopped and turned back. “I’m sorry I was so rude to you the other day, Charlotte. You meant the world to Jules, you know that, right?”

The words burrowed down inside her, and all she could do was nod in reply. Anything else, and Charlotte might’ve felt the depth of the loss they’d all suffered, and that was too raw, too real, for her to manage right now.

11

Connor went inside, leaving Cole standing on the steps with a woman who was apparently not who he thought.

“Do you think he’ll be okay?” she asked.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets. Coming here after practice had been a rash idea, a plan meant to distract him from things he didn’t want to think about. Or maybe sort out what he needed to do to get his coaching back on track.

He planned to mow Connor’s overgrown grass, pull some weeds, check on the kids, make sure the guy was eating and then, with any luck, he’d go home and crash.

That plan had gone awry.

“I do,” he said. “But it’s gonna be a while.” He started off toward the garage and realized she was following him.

“I wish there was something I could do,” she said.

He stuck his head inside the garage and pressed the button to open the door. “You didn’t say you knew Jules.”

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