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“There’s so much telling me to say no to that money,” I murmur.

I watch Moira’s face fall before she steels herself and nods. “Okay. I get it. I won’t bring it up again.”

I squeeze her hands. “I’m not done.”

“Oh?” Her eyes widen.

“I told you it would take me some time to change, but I don’t want to make you wait for everything. I don’t want to wait for everything, so...”

I pause and take a deep breath, watching Moira watch me.

Maybe this doesn’t have to be complicated. Maybe I can let it all go and let someone in.

“I accept,” I finish.

Moira’s mouth drops open, and I can’t help chuckling at the way she’s gaping at me like a goldfish.

“Thank you, Moira. Really.” I make myself get serious again. “This means so much.”

“It does for me too.”

She brings my hands up to her mouth and kisses my knuckles. The gesture is so tender it makes my chest get tight and keeps any panic threatening to rise up inside me at bay.

I’m safe. I’m going to be okay.

“You know,” she says between kisses, “you’re always welcome here, in the studio. Always. I’ll get you a key and everything.”

I laugh. “That’s pretty much exactly what your mom said, although she didn’t go so far as to offer me a key.”

Moira freezes. “You talked to my mom?”

Blood thumps in my ears. I figured Margaret would have mentioned it to her.

“Um, yeah. She...she came and found me after the competition. Catherine hadn’t officially fired me then, but your mom still said I was welcome here.”

Moira sighs and raises her eyes to the ceiling. “I am gonna need to speak with that woman.”

“It was really nice,” I rush to assure her. “Really. She wasn’t trying to interfere with you and me. She just...she was looking out for me when I really needed someone.”

Moira sighs again. “She is pretty great, and since now I know she agrees, there’s no question about it. I’m going to get a key made for you. I know how much it means to have a place to dance.”

“Moira—”

“Nuh-uh.” She holds up a finger. “You get to decide about everything else, but I’m giving you this whether you want it or not.”

I swallow down the urge to fight her on it and nod. “Thank you. Your trust means a lot, especially when we’ve already used this studio for...many things besides dancing.”

Her eyes darken at the suggestion in my tone, and she lets go of one of my hands to tuck a piece of hair behind my ear before sliding her fingers down to brush my neck. “That we have.”

I start to lean in, but just before my eyes close, I see her head jerk back as her face lights up with another realization.

“Yes, Moira?” I ask, faking annoyance.

She grins. “It’s kinda hot when you act like you still hate me.”

I nudge her leg with my knee. “It’s kind of hot when you try to annoy me.”

“I have something important to say!” she protests.