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I follow her onto the street, sensing she wants to ask me something but is holding off. She waves at a few stragglers who are still standing around outside.

“Tonight was a success,” I say, hoping she feels the same way.

“I think it was. Thank you for helping to arrange it,” she says, climbing into the car as Mason holds the door open. Iwatch as she shimmies across the seat, her trousers tight across her thighs.

I swallow before climbing into the car after her.

“You did all the hard work. You got the message out there,” I say.

“Ah, the community grapevine.” She grins. “It has its benefits and is perfect for things like this. Not so great for private and personal matters.”

I wonder what private and personal matters they might be?

CHAPTER 35

APRIL

Ifollow Caleb into the apartment. Even after all these weeks of living here, it still takes my breath away. I’ve always loved the light, and Caleb’s apartment is designed to allow optimal light into the space.

“A drink?” Caleb asks, moving towards the kitchen area.

I shouldn’t, but one glass won’t hurt.

I have a choreography session with Scarlett in the morning, followed by a meeting to discuss cover for one of her dance teachers. I nearly fell over when she asked if I was interested. Her logic is while I’m working out of her studio, it benefits both of us. I’m not hanging around and she has cover.

Caleb returns with two glasses of red. He’s made note of my preference.

“Thank you.” I take the glass from him, tingles of awareness darting through my fingers as they brush against his.

I turn away, not wanting him to see his effect on me or the colour I know has flooded my cheeks. Since our kiss, I’ve tried to stay away from him as much as possible. The man is temptation on legs, and having tasted that forbidden fruit,my body can’t understand why my mind won’t let it go there again.

Caleb moves past me to the sofa, dropping onto one of the seats. I follow, not knowing what else to do. After his bombshell this evening, I need to talk to him. It’s time to put on the brakes.

We haven’t discussed what happens next, it’s not an area I have wanted to broach with him. All my fighting for my rights—I obtained exactly what I wanted. The plan had been perfect, but everything changed on the night of the fire. My business and dreams literally went up in smoke. I need to re-plan and rework my future.

Looking up, I find Caleb staring at me over the top of his wine glass. His expression is contemplative.

“What?” I ask, sounding defensive. I’m not sure what it is about this man that makes my heckles rise with simply a look.

He shrugs. “I was wondering why you haven’t asked me about the dance studio plans?”

“There is no dance studio,” I reply.

“Tonight, I said there is, or at least there will be. And relatively quickly. A new build is far quicker than a renovation,” he says.

I sigh, needing to be honest. I can’t be selfish or take his hospitality for granted any longer.

“About that,” I say, putting my glass down on the coffee table between us. I can’t bring myself to meet his gaze, so I stare at the floor. “I thought you understood. I can’t afford the new dance studio.”

The silence that descends has me meeting his gaze. “I told you before, I won’t increase the rent. I’m not going back on our agreement.”

I shake my head. “I know, and I appreciate it. However, our agreement was when we were using what I already had.The flooring, the mirrors, my equipment. I lost all that in the fire.” I take a deep breath. “I wasn’t insured, Caleb. Stupid and naïve of me, I know. But the dance studio was a money pit. The liability insurance was the only one I could afford. That was the most important. The rest was a gamble that I lost.”

Honesty is the best policy!

He’s been a support. Not at all what I originally imagined. Caleb Frazer is an enigma, one I can’t work out.

“I know,” he surprises me by saying. “When you filled out all the paperwork, you told my team. So, what? You’re simply going to walk away?” Caleb asks, his voice incredulous. “What are you going to do?”