Bailey snickered, and Poppy looked bemused. “Clearly there’s something going on here that I don’t know about, but okay.” Poppy rose. “Now I’m going to leave you two to it. Unless, of course, another viewing of Dance Off is on the menu.”
Bailey turned to him. “Have you seen all our dances put together?”
“Not together, no.”
“Ooh, well, just you wait, mister.”
He glanced at Poppy, who shrugged and reclaimed her seat, and he watched the package of their dances from the previous weeks, the high points, the lows, the moments where he’d stumbled, and those where their connection was so obvious it was like the studio could erupt in flames. And as he watched himself improve from stumbling baboon to someone more suave and risk-taking, he wondered exactly how to tell Bailey she needed to stand up to her father and fire him from his role with the finances at her dance studio.
CHAPTER 22
“…and that’s why we need to be careful with our arabesques.”
Morgan nodded, as her mother waved from the studio’s glass door. “Looks like your mom is here.”
“Thanks, Miss Bailey.”
“You’re always very welcome.”
The teenager completed her curtsy goodbye then moved to the side to change her shoes as her mom entered, gesturing like she wanted to have a private word.
Bailey smiled. “Hi Jane. Morgan is doing so well. I think she’ll be ready to start her Grade five RAD ballet exams soon.”
“Oh, it’s so wonderful to think after all she’s overcome that she might finally step into her dream.”
Bailey’s gaze fell on Morgan, whose dad had died in a car accident that had caused significant injuries to the girl, and made her question whether she’d ever dance again. Bailey hadn’t charged Morgan’s mom standard rates for the past year, insisting an anonymous donor had heard about her situation and paid. The anonymous donor was Bailey, and perhaps her grandmother who was probably watching down from heaven, and who Bailey figured would more than approve. “I remember what it was like.”
“And now look at you.” Jane glanced around the studio, then placed a hand on her heart. “I don’t know if you get told this enough, but thank you for helping children like my Morgan. The other schools were all so expensive, but to know she can come here and receive top-class training, it really means so much.”
“It’s what I love to do.”
“And we can tell. The other parents and I often say how lucky we are to have you.”
Bailey blinked back emotion. “You’re so sweet.”
“Now I know it seems greedy, especially as you’re no doubt full to the brim of new students after your TV show, but will you still have time for more private lessons like this?”
“Morgan is a priority for me.” She’d make it work. Somehow.
“I know she enjoys the classes with the other girls, but she always says she gets more out of the solo time.” Jane leaned closer. “Personally, I think it’s because she’s hoping to see your boyfriend, but then, aren’t we all?”
Bailey chuckled. It had been a little obvious the number of people who wanted to check him out. She was still fielding questions most days about her TV dance partner. “He’s been busy with hockey.”
“But never too busy for you, I’m sure.”
She shrugged. While he was plenty busy, with everything from hospital visits to cancer fundraising dinners, he’d made a serious effort these past weeks, making time among his schedule to invite her to meet some of his friends and teammates. She enjoyed seeing this part of his world, and couldn’t wait to watch his first game in a few weeks, a preseason matchup against Vancouver which would see her meet Chris Thomas again. Apparently she and Poppy would have seats in the WAG section, where the wives and girlfriends and families hung out. She was excited to meet some more of them.
Her phone—freshly returned from the police as they continued their investigations—rang, and she noticed it was the bank. Odd. Why would they be calling so late in the day? It was past their usual close of day. “I’m sorry. I need to take this call.”
She waved a hand at Morgan and moved to the office, as Poppy stretched, readying for her tap class with the preteen boys. She closed the door and sank onto her chair. “Hello? Mr. Mitsom?”
“Bailey, I’m glad I caught you. Look, we need to have you make an appointment and discuss a few more things.”
“I’m sorry, but why?”
“There are a few other matters that need attention. Look, can I pencil you in for tomorrow, say two PM?”
She glanced at her schedule. “I’m sorry, I’m booked all day.”
“How about the next at, say, five?”
“Same thing, I’m sorry. Would the following day work?”
“That’s the weekend, and I don’t work Saturdays.”
Lucky him. “Can’t you just tell me over the phone?”
“I’m afraid it’s not our policy to discuss these, er, kinds of matters except in person.”
“What about an email?”
“An email is not in person, is it?”
No. “Okay, look, I’ll try to juggle things and make it on Friday. Five did you say?”
“Yes. Thank you. See you then.”
