Page 14 of Moonstruck Kiss

“Wow,” Brax says under his breath.

“A compliment for me?” I ask wryly. “Why, thank you.”

“Credit where credit is due.” He peers closer at the patch of flowers in one of the canvases. “Don’t daffodils mean forgiveness? So you do have it in your heart to forgive.”

I scoff at his teasing tone. “I wasn’t trying to show the daffodils toyou.”

Elsa sighs theatrically. “Joey, dear. Evan and I are very grateful that you took our side in our argument with Brax last year. But maybe it’s time to forgive and forget?”

I sent Brax a scowl. “Only if your son apologises from the heart foreveryhurtful thing he said.”

He sighs. “Look, Joey, I’m really sorry. I was just very worried about my parents’ financial situation and frustrated that they weren’t listening to me.”

“We’re glad we didn’t follow your advice,” Evan quips.

I hide a smirk. Brax’s jaw is clenched so hard it might have locked into place.

“We’ll have to finish this conversation later,” he tells his parents in a warning tone before turning to me again. “I honestly am sorry that I hurt your feelings.”

I narrow my eyes. He damn well knows I’m looking for him to retract his words, but he still won’t.

So the status quo remains. Unfortunately, I can’t possibly reveal everything he said in front of his parents. They’d be upset.

“Let’s not talk about it here,” I say stiffly.

“Joey…” he utters in frustration.

Elsa wags a forefinger at Brax’s face. “Whatever you said, it must have been very bad for Joey to hold a grudge all this time.”

“We’ll discuss it later.” He gives me a forced smile. “By the way, how do you want me to pay for today? I can give you cash right now.”

I wave dismissively. “Today’s a free trial. We don’t even know if Ollie will last more than fifteen minutes. Next time I’ll send you an invoice.”

He nods, glancing at Ollie, and his face softens instantly. “Thank you. He has snacks and water in his backpack. I hope he won’t be messy if he decides to eat them?—”

“Wait,” Elsa says, “aren’t you staying here with him? Your dad and I can’t. We have work to do.”

“So do I.” Brax looks at me, his eyes wide. “Someone needs to stay behind?”

“Yes, I thought you’d know that.”

He shakes his head.

“At his age, he probably won’t be able to sit still,” I explain. “I won’t be able to look after him when I’m attending to my other students.”

He scratches his head, looking totally lost.

“This is your responsibility, son,” Evan says.

Brax scrunches his face, looking around like he’s trying to find an answer to his conundrum.

I feel sorry for him—and more than a little guilty. I didn’t say anything about Ollie needing adult supervision to attend my classes. I shouldn’t have assumed he’d know, especially since he’s practically a very new dad.

“I suppose I can ask Liss to come over if Ollie becomes unsettled,” I offer. “She’s just next door. She can take him, if need be, and call you.”

Brax grins his relief. “That’s a great idea. I’m so sorry. I’ll know next time. Thanks, Dimple.”

Elsa slaps her chest. “You also have a nickname for Joey? How cute!”

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