Page 110 of Igniting Sparks
“Way to be a sore loser. Aunt Bitsy warned me this is how you’d react.”
Heat rushes to my face, and I suck in a breath, ready to lash out, when another thought floats into my brain.
They’re not worth it.
“Glad to know I didn’t disappoint her all around.” I hang up the phone, not bothering to say goodbye to my cousin. Truth is, there’s nothing left to say.
I rub the heel of my palm against my forehead. Hard. Like I can wipe this all away.
But it’s no use.
It’s over.
It’s done.
My dreams of owning a dance studio are not going to happen, and I need to be okay with that.
I’m just not sure how to go about it.
Don’t get me wrong—I knew my chances were slim, particularly after standing my ground and walking out on Bitsy at dinner.
But I held onto the smallest glimmer of hope, that despite her opinion of Braden—and of me—that she would do what was best for her dancers.
Maybe she did. Maybe I’m not right for the role, despite my years of training and dedication. I’m not rich like Vanessa, and I don’t possess the familial connections.
A studio like Evelyn Court Dance Atelier is reserved for the upper echelon, and I was never part of that world. I always lingered on the fringes, accepting their begrudging charity and desperately trying to impress them with my talent.
My dancing was good enough, but I wasn’t.
“Hey, there you are.”
I tear my gaze to where Braden stands, leaning against the doorframe. “Is everything okay?”
“Uh… yeah.”
Braden crosses the room to me, gently tucking a stray hair behind my ear as he studies my face. “You’re not okay.”
It’s not a question. He knows something is wrong.
Part of me wants to collapse in a puddle of tears, sobbing until the world turns black.
But now is not that time. Today belongs to Ori and Ash—their battles, their victory, their happy ending. I won’t steal it. I won’t darken it.
What would it matter? Doesn’t change the ending of my story.
“I’m fine,” I lie, pressing a kiss to his mouth. “Just a bit tired. My head hurts.”
So does my heart, but I’ll ignore that organ for the time being.
“Have you eaten anything all day?”
“Umm… a cupcake?”
Braden releases an indignant snort. “No wonder your head hurts. Let’s get you fed, woman. That will make you feel better.”
Sadly, it won’t help a damn bit, although I adore Braden’s earnest and protective nature.
He’s so good at loving me and yet, that wasn’t enough for my highbrow family. All they saw was tattoos, a motorcycle, and a refusal to bend to their whims.
