Page 21 of The Dancer and the Dark
“That is so kind. Thank you. I bet they’re beautiful.”
“They are. And Mr. Gavin is staying in the little house by the pool.”
“So we’ll see him when he wakes up.”
Chloe walked with Sadia toward the house before she remembered her luggage. She turned and saw Audra and Zain grabbing her bags, along with a new security guard who had appeared with Audra that morning. “Can I get something?”
“Don’t worry about it,” the new guy said. “We’ll get you settled.”
“Thanks…”
He smiled. “Jeff.”
“Jeff.” She nodded. “Thanks.”
She had no idea why Gavin felt the need to assign her extra security, and she usually didn’t ask.
Should you?
Shouldn’t his wife know?
Gavin’s wife.
Sadia was talking, and Chloe wasn’t paying attention. Luckily, she was pretty sure it was something about dance lessons because she ended with “Want to see me do it?”
Chloe nodded. “Absolutely. Where—?”
“Baba built me a whole room to practice my dancing!” Sadia ran into the house, taking off her shoes just beyond the french doors to the kitchen. “Dema, Chloe’s here!”
Chloe saw Sadia’s nanny rise and walk to the door, holding out her arms.
“My friend.” Dema embraced her, strong arms holding Chloe up when her throat thickened with tears again. “I’ve been praying for you every day. How are you?”
Chloe cleared her throat and blinked back tears. “It’s hard when things weren’t good between us.”
Dema loosened her embrace. “I know it must be.” She frowned a little. “You’re not drinking enough water; you look dehydrated. Why don’t you go see the new studio and I’ll bring you some tea.”
Chloe forced a smile. “You and Gavin with the tea.”
“But he brews you that fearful Scottish stew, and I made superior Syrian tea.” She held up a hand. “It’s fine. You don’t have to tell him that mine is better.” She smiled at Sadia. “You must show Chloe your dance room. She is a fellow dancer, so she will understand.”
“It’s so awesome.” Sadia grabbed Chloe’s hand, nearly knocking her over as she removed her shoes.
“I can’t wait to see it.” Chloe tried to forget her sadness and focused on Sadia’s bright energy. She followed the little girl through the familiar house that had been her refuge since she was fifteen.
Ben had been her first love, and his family had never allowed her to feel unwelcome, even after they broke up. They’d lost touch for about five years but reconnected when Ben moved to New York. His childhood home was far more familiar to her than her own.
The room Sadia led her to was once a home theater, but the deep couches had been removed, the walls had been mirrored on one side, and the windows were carefully angled to allow light in the room without direct sunlight.
“Mama comes and plays with me in here sometimes in the daytime.”
“Oh, that’s nice. Does she dance too?”
Sadia made a face that could only be described as patronizing. “Not as good as me, but she’s getting better.”
“I can’t wait to see.” Chloe managed not to laugh. “Okay, my best student, show me what you’ve learned.”
She sat on one of the benches that lined the walls and watched as Sadia carefully picked a song from the computer in the corner and then positioned herself in front of the barre, facing the mirror.
