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My shoulders droop. “I’ll continue to cover the classes at Scarlett’s while you advertise for another dance school owner. A new building, in a new development. I doubt you’ll have a problem finding someone to take it on.”

I try to sound positive, but my heart breaks with every word. This is my area, my community. Someone else is going to come in and take over and reap the benefits because of faulty electrics.

“No.”

It’s one word, but it makes me stop.

“That’s not an option,” he goes on to say.

I shake my head. “You don’t understand. It took me four years to raise the money to kit out the building. All my savings. There’s nothing left. No bank is going to lend me the money, and I don’t want to get into bed with a loan shark.”

“It’s you who doesn’t seem to understand,” Caleb says, leaning back and crossing his legs at his ankles. “I promised the community their dance studio and teacher. If you had no intention of continuing, what the hell was this evening all about? What was the point?”

I’ve been asking myself the same thing over and over,hoping for a miracle or an epiphany. Burying my head in the sand, wanting a magic fix. But I’m not Cinderella. A fairy godmother will not appear, wave a magic wand, and make all my problems disappear.

“Do you want to walk away?” he asks quietly. “Is that what this is about? A way out?”

“No.” I shake my head before dropping it into my hands. “The studio was a dream come true. Hard work, but it’s my life’s ambition since I met Di and learned to dance.” My voice sounds wistful even to myself. I hadn’t thought about it until that point.

“You’re in luck,” he suddenly states. “Our insurance policy includes coverage for fixtures and fittings. When the buildings were purchased, we took out a comprehensive insurance policy after exchanging contracts. All you need to do is let me know how much and it’s covered.”

My head snaps up, and I stare at Caleb. My throat closes over.

Is he about to become my fairy godmother?

“I simply need to know how much, April?”

“How much?” I choke out, and he knows he has my attention.

“You heard me correctly,” he says, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

I shake my head. “No.”

When I look up, he’s staring at me, his brow furrowed in obvious confusion. “What do you mean? No.”

“What I said. It’s never going to work. Sorry if you feel like I’ve wasted your time.” I run a hand through my ponytail, the confused look on Cal’s face telling me I need to explain.

“The studio was barely making enough to keep me afloat, and I was living on the premises. That won’t be happening now. I’ll need additional money for rent, bills, both for the studio and an apartment. The figures just don’t add up. I’msorry. I can’t get myself in any deeper, with nothing to fall back on.”

“But—”

“Thank you for the offer. It’s incredibly generous, more than I ever dreamed of, but I must be realistic. You need to find someone else to take on the studio. Sadly, it won’t, can’t be me.”

I get up and move away, heading for the stairs.

“Goodnight,” I say, not waiting for a reply. The pain in my chest excruciating.

I make my way up to my room. Now, the truth is out there. I have no right to be squatting in Caleb’s spare room. I should have left weeks ago. I’ve become too comfortable, too relaxed, and although I hate to admit it, I enjoy his company. Tomorrow, I’ll see what I can do. Maybe one of Scarlett’s dancers knows of a room for rent. It’s time to get real.

CHAPTER 36

APRIL

I’m outside Scarlett’s studio at the crack of dawn. Scarlett told me the previous evening that she had an early choreography session and would like me to attend. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity to see a master at work, although that was before I spent most of the night tossing and turning.

I let myself in. Scarlett supplied me with the code to get through from reception into the main studio area. The glass wall in front of me shows a group of dancers warming up. Scarlett, in the midst of it all, laughing at something a dancer says. As if sensing me, she looks up and smiles. If I’m honest, Scarlett Dupree is not what I expected. She’s at the top of her field, but she is not stuck up or snobby. She’s been nothing but warm and welcoming.

“April, come in,” she says, throwing open the door and calling over to me.