Page 56 of Secrets in Love
“Fourteen,” flew from my mouth, and Evie pirouetted on her feet, giving me the incredulous look I deserved.
“Really? Now?”
“Sorry, Eves. It’s a habit.”
Christian shook his head and motioned toward Evie. I grabbed his wrist before he got close. “DO NOT touch her again. DO YOU HEAR ME?”
“My office. NOW.” Jody was back and seemed a lot less entertained than the little faces pressed against the closest studio’s glass wall. “Now!” she repeated when Christian and I failed to move. Like petulant children being dragged by our ears, we flopped into Jody’s office. “What the hell are you doing here, Christian?”
“Uhh, last time I looked, it was my business, and I can be here whenever I like.”
“Despite what you like to tell yourself, Christian, it’sourbusiness. It is also one you have placed in jeopardy. I know you have some personal issues, crisis, or whatever the hell you want to call it, but that’s no excuse. You cannot speak to our employees, or anyone, the way you did to Evie, and you cannot put your hands on them. She has bruises on her wrist, for heaven’s sake. You’re lucky she didn’t charge you.”
“You have bruises? I hurt you?” The guy seemed genuinely shocked. Then he did something neither I nor anyone in the room expected. He cried. Like a-baby-wanting-a-bottle cried. Real-life, big, fat, probably salty tears dropped from his ridiculously long lashes onto his quickly reddening cheeks.
Evie dropped her head into her hand. “Jesus Christ.”
Jody looked confused. I got up to leave. “Evie, let’s leave these two to sort this out for a bit.”
“That’s a good idea,” agreed Jody. “Why don’t you wait outside, and I’ll come and speak to you after we have collected ourselves a little.”
Before Evie could speak, I had her hand in mine and was pulling her out the door.
Ten minutes later, Jody and Christian made their way into the lobby. Christian with his head down. Jody looking stern. Christian stopped before Evie. “Evie, I can only apologize again. I hope once Jody explains everything, you will consider returning. Iris too. And maybe one day, we can be friends again.” Mr. HotBoss-Ballet man then began to cry again as he slunk from the building.
Evie dropped a little, “Snort,” under her breath as we returned to the office, then led into what looked like a small break room, the walls of which were painted a cheery coral, the staff lockers lining them colored like a rainbow, and each had a mini chalkboard hanging on the door.Eviewas painted on the sunshine-yellow locker.
Seeing her name in crisp white chalk was a real gut punch, yet another reminder that she’d left me behind. She was a local now, a real New Yorker with a local pizza place where the staff knew her name and order, where she had a job she loved, and a locker painted in her favorite color. The kids here knew her name, and her voice, and saw her once or twice a week. If things didn’t go the way I hoped, if I went home without her, I would be lucky to see her once a year.
Even though she should have been the one being taken care of, she began puttering around the kitchen, fussing over the filthy state of the sink, and making us all a cup of tea. I watched on in silent pride, drowning in something I rarely felt. Self-doubt.
“Christian is on drugs,” Jody almost vomited rather than said the words. “He’s on drugs and is out of control. Apparently, he started using recreationally after they gave him painkillers for his knee, but he claims he hit his worst and lowest point last week and can hardly remember anything from your date. That’s why he was shocked about the bruising. He has already checked himself into an outpatient rehab here in the Village and will take the next few weeks off. He says he’s sorry, and he wants you to come back, Evie. I’ve known Christian for a long time. I have to stand by him, and I also need you now more than ever. I hope you can find it in your heart to give him and us another chance, but I will understand if you can’t.”
“Shit.” Evie sighed as she sat beside me. “Poor Christian.”
“What do you mean, poor Christian?” I snapped. “Maybe he is having a hard time, but that’s no excuse to put your hands on a woman—especially not my woman.”
Evie’s tea splashed over her hand as she dropped her mug on the table. “Oh my God. Not everything is about you. For the last time, I am not your woman!”
“Let’s put whether you are or are not Nate’s woman aside for the moment,” interjected Jody. “Like I said, Christian will be away for a few weeks, and hopefully, when he returns, he will be able to redeem himself. Are you willing to come back to work, Evie?”
She answered without hesitation. “Yes, absolutely.”
“Gidge.”
“Don’t judge me, Nate. I am doing this. I love dancing, and I love the kids, and I think if Christian is seeking help, it’s only right that I give it and him another chance. If anything happens, I will be out of here so fast you’ll see smoke on my heels. But I have to try. I need this. I need something for myself. At the restaurant, you told me you were behind me a hundred percent. Was that all a lie?”
I was going to argue, but then she took my hand. My whole body came to life with that one touch, and my resolve crumbled when I looked into her eyes. They were pleading with me and tinged with hope. She needed this as much as I needed her.
“No, it wasn’t a lie. It was just before I saw the size of the guy. I’m scared for you, that’s all. Just promise me you’ll look after yourself and stay on those pretty little toes.”
Evie smiled and placed a lingering kiss on my cheek. “I’m a ballet teacher, Nate. I’m always on my toes.”
Nate
Overflowing with nerves and lust, I swiped my key card and showed Evie into my room. Bringing a chick home with me was nothing new. But this was no chick. This was Evie. My lifelong friend. My best friend’s sister. My heart’s one desire.
This was a big deal. “After you, Gidge.”
