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“I left and got a job, used the money I saved up to open the dance school. I gained some of the qualifications I needed while I was still living with Di, so I was already halfway there.”

Caleb pulls me into his arms, my head resting on his chest, as he kisses my forehead.

“We’ll speak to Mum and Scarlett. Make sure those on a scholarship have enough to live on. They won’t have their dreams ripped away from them because it’s been ill thought out.” His arms tighten around me. “I want you to talk to my mother, to the Foundation Board.”

I bite my lip, overcome with emotion. This man turns me into a wreck. His understanding and compassion. He’s not the heartless love-em and leave-em type I thought he was.

My head rubs against his chest, acknowledging what he’s saying. I wipe under my eyes.

“I’d like that,” I whisper, hoping my voice doesn’t give me away. It does, as Caleb’s arm tightens around me, pulling me closer into him.

“We’ll discuss it after the party tomorrow,” he whispers, pressing his lips against my hair. “Sleep now.”

I let my eyes drift shut, enjoying the warmth and comfort only Caleb can provide. I’ve never been into cuddles, never had the chance. Although I tell a lie, I recall a faint memory of a time when someone cuddled me. Cuddled and kissed, swung me around, tickled me. But those are distant memories and I’m not sure if they’re the made-up fantasies of a foster kid lacking attention, or whether they were real. I want to believe they’re real, that someone cared. I drift off, holding that thought close to my heart.

CHAPTER 54

APRIL

The next morning is crazy. Although they’ve hired people to cover every eventuality and every need, the family is all chipping in, with Francesca at the helm directing proceedings. They’ve banished Leah, baby Callum, and me to the drawing room where we spent the previous evening.

Caleb keeps popping in, demanding cuddles with his nephew. Telling Leah, he needs to know the difference between Daddy and Uncle Cal. Leah’s good natured and hands him over. Gabriel, however, has other ideas when he comes in to find his brother slacking and stealing snuggles.

“Mum’s after you,” Gabriel says, taking his sleeping son from his twin.

I still can’t get over how similar they are, the same, yet different. It’s the differences that make me smile. Leah grins at the pair and rolls her eyes. It’s clear she has a strong bond with both brothers, although the way she looks at Gabriel—is hot.

“Party pooper,” Caleb says, handing the baby over to his brother, but not before he drops a kiss on his forehead. Myovaries do a little dance at the sight. Both these men, holding a tiny baby in their muscular arms, showing a soft and mushy side.

Be still my beating heart.

Gabriel turns to me. “Mum thought you’d want to know Scarlett has just turned up with the bus full of dancers. She’s showing them to the library, where they can all get changed.”

I jump up. “Thank you,” I say, before rushing to the door and freezing. “Which way to the library?”

“Hold up, I’ll go with you,” Cal says.

I turn and watch as he runs a finger down Callum’s cheek and grins before heading my way. The love he has for his nephew is immeasurable. Whether it’s because genetically, Callum could not be any closer to him had he fathered him himself. His brother being his identical twin.

I wait until Caleb reaches me before we head off to the library. Scarlett’s in there with the ten dancers we chose. They range from fourteen to seventeen. Their eyes are out on storks.

“Mr Frazer,” they say when we enter the room.

“Hey, what about me?” I say, chuckling.

Cal has made quite an impression on these kids in the past couple of months, even discussed apprenticeships with his firm for anyone wanting to go into property development, or one of the related trades. The buzz and excitement has been extreme.

“Hey, Ms April,” they say.

“That’s better,” I say, grinning at them all. “Are you ready?”

“We’ve got this,” Amber says nervously.

She’s one of my best dancers. Her natural ability and talent shouldn’t be wasted.

“I know you have. I have every faith in you,” I tell her honestly. I walk over and place a hand on her shoulder whenI notice her shaking. “I mean it. You guys are amazing and have worked so hard. I can’t wait to show you off.”

She gives me a shy smile as Alex walks over and fist-bumps her.