Page 47 of Dance All Night
Their heads snapped up to where Naomi strode down the hall toward them with a big smile on her face.
Jess handled the introduction. “Nik, this is Naomi. She’s one of the counselors here.”
Nik shook her hand. “I remember seeing you at Rhianne’s party. I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself properly then.”
Naomi chuckled. “No worries. Your mind was busy. Thanks again for the gifts you sent.”
“It was my pleasure.”
Then she turned to Jess. “Before you get started, I have some news.”
Jess frowned, hoping nothing had gone wrong with the day’s plans. “What kind of news?”
“Don’t worry, it’s good news. We want you to join the Starlight House board.”
Jess’s pulse thumped, sure she’d misheard. “The what?”
“The board!” Naomi pulled Jess into a hug. “You’ve done so much over the last year, between fundraising efforts and donating your time to teach and hang out with the girls. So, you’re officially being invited to join the board of directors to help ensure Starlight keeps moving in a good direction.”
Wow. Board of directors. Part of her felt like she was too young for such a responsibility, but Starlight House and the girls it served meant the world to her, and the thought of stepping into a more official role and being able to help even more gave her a feeling of…rightness. Yes, this was the kind of thing she’d been looking to do more of.
“I’m…I’m speechless.” Jess hugged Naomi back. “And honored. Thank you.”
“That’s wonderful news, Jeshka,” Nik said quietly at her side, and Jess turned to see him beaming a proud smile at her. She was so happy, both from Naomi’s news and just from having Nik here with her, she wanted to throw herself into his arms and squeeze him tight. But if she did, Naomi would tease her mercilessly.
Oh, what the hell.
Jess wrapped her arms around Nik’s midsection and hugged him hard. When he enveloped her in his warm, solid embrace and his spicy-sweet scent, she was sure she’d never felt anything so perfect.
When she released him, Naomi didn’t laugh, but she did gesture down the hallway.
“By the way, everything is set up. We’re ready when you are.”
When Nik shot Jess a curious look, she slapped a hand to her forehead. “Shit. I forgot to mention one other thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I told everyone you were stopping by to teach a dance class. The girls are very excited, so you can’t say no.”
“Teaching with you?”
Of course he’d focus on that part. “Yeah.”
His face lit up, and he didn’t ask any more questions. Slinging an arm around her shoulders to tuck her in against his side, he smiled down at her. “I’d love to.”
Chapter Twelve
December 31st, New Year’s Eve
Nik had a lot to do before the end of the year, and as Dimitri’s New Year’s Eve party approached, anxiety kicked in.
Even after everything Jess had said at Starlight House, and how much fun they’d had teaching the dance class together, he wouldn’t feel fully settled until she kissed him at midnight. That was the symbol they’d agreed upon, signifying continued commitment.
Guests started arriving at nine. Nik hung around by the front door, greeting everyone, but he was really waiting for Jess. The longer the night went on, the more his nerves frayed. What if she wasn’t coming? He nursed a single beer, mostly to have something in his hands, and checked his phone compulsively for texts. His mind replayed every moment they’d spent together, looking for clues as to what had gone wrong, but when they’d parted ways at Starlight House, everything had seemed settled.
There was that word again.Settled.
He didn’t feel settled now. Had he missed her entrance? He roamed the party, searching for her, before resuming his spot by the front door again.
