My brother's best friend

Chapter Forty

I smooth out my black lace floor-length dress. "Don't you think it's too much?" I ask Taylor. She smiles, "No way. It's a big night for you." I turn around and look over my shoulder at the low cut back. "Kids friendly?" She lets out a laugh, "Who cares? You look hot." I raise a brow, "I care." 

"Linds, this is a big night for you, right? That big choreographer that Catharina knows is coming, right? And she said he's interested in you, right? So, just take a breather, smile and wear the sexy dress." I look at Taylor, she's dressed in a pink off the shoulder, figure-hugging dress.     

"Fine, I'll wear the dress." She smirks, she hands me the black clutch, "Let's go then." We go downstairs. Amanda is playing with Aiden on the couch. I frown at them, "I thought Daniel was watching him." Amanda smiles, "I wanted to spend time with my grandson. I gave my ticket to Daniel. I'm sure he'll love to see what you've been doing. Enjoy, Lollipop." 

I want to protest but Taylor steers me to the door before I can get in another word. We get in the car and drive to the small theatre where the studio is holding the end year show. 

It's big and glamorous, Catherina pulls out all the stops. Catharina and Anina are standing at the front door, greeting all the parents. Catherina is dressed in an extravagant golden dress. Her hair is made up in a neat bun, but loose strands of hair surround her face. Next to her Anina is dressed in a much simpler white dress with a black belt around her waist. She's dancing in the show with her partner later, so her hair is made into a tight bun with all her small hairs pulled back and kept in place with gel. 

"You look amazing." Anina says hugging me. I compliment her and her mother before they shoo Taylor and I into the building. The seat next to me is empty. Maybe Daniel decided to skip it. It has been a whole month since I told him not to speak to me. And he hasn't. 

He has been there for Aiden. Mostly when I'm at work or when Amanda wants to watch him over at her house. And when he does come over I stay out of his way and he stays out of mine. It all seems to be going well. He has been warming up lately. It seems like he's started to try and talk to me, but he's still too stubborn to really put in the effort. 

I subconsciously look around for him. As I was scouring the room I spot a tall lean man with Anina and Catharina. By the looks of it, he's the choreographer that they invited to view the small show. Compared to what he does, this is nothing. I suck in my lip and hold my breath for a moment. I let it out and try to calm down. He's here as a friend, not a critic.  

The lights fade and everyone takes their seats. I glance over my shoulder one last time before focusing on the stage. The stage lights go up and the music starts playing. Usually, I'd be backstage to help with the kids, getting hair done and getting them dressed. But Catharina insisted on me sitting in the crowd tonight. 

Out of the corner of my eye, I see someone come into the row and sitting down. I try to see who it is but it's too dark. 

After the show Catharina announces that there are drinks and snacks for everyone, to celebrate the brilliant show. Taylor and I are currently at the snacks table, trying to decide what to get.  "I saw Daniel. He came in late." I shrug, "I didn't see. And I don't care." I take a sip of the juice I snagged from the kid's table. 

"Here she is." Catharina says loudly behind me. I turn around and see her and the tall man I saw earlier, "Lindsey, meet my very good friend and famous choreographer, Ivan Peskov." She introduces him with over the top flair. "Ivan, meet my talented instructor and novice choreographer, Lindsey Moore." She doesn't spare her dramatics with my introduction either. 

I reach out and shake the man's hand. "It's an honour to meet you." He smiles, "Likewise." I drop my hand and look at him for a second. He has kind eyes. And his smile is warm and welcoming. I watch as he reaches for Catharina. She wraps her hand in his and a small smile comes to my lips. "I have a proposal for you." He says, not wasting any time. 

I nod, "Please go on." "I have an opening in one of my studios and I think you would make a great addition to the team." I smile politely, even though my heart was racing. He wanted me to work at his studio. How great would that be? "I don't think I can do that to Catharina." He smirks and I get a glimpse of a young man. A man who charmed himself into an out of everything. "Don't be silly child, it was her idea." I look over at her. She has a small smile on  her lips, "It would be a tremendous loss, but we can do without you, not because we don't want to, but because I know you can become bigger than my silly old studio." She reaches for me and hugs me. 

"You don't have to make a choice now," He hands me a card, "Call me, tell me if you're interested." I take the white paper from him and stare at it. "Nice to meet you, kid." He turns around and takes Catharina with him. 

   "I've been looking for you." I look up from the plain white card with Ivan's details on it. Daniel. Seeing him dressed in a black blazer, blue button-down shirt and jeans, looking quite spiffy, my heart soars. No matter how hard I try, I just can't shut it down.

"Did you see the show?" He nods, "I slipped in last minute." I give him a sarcastic smile, "I'm sure no one noticed." I did. He stuffs his hands into his pockets. He's nervous. "What is it, Daniel?" I raise a brow at him. Even after a month of dead silence between us, it still felt like we never stopped. 

"I have some news." His eyes come up and they meet mine. "Yes?" He looks over his shoulder, then back at me. "I just got a promotion. It's so much better than my last job. I mean we'd have to leave everyone behind, but that's fine. And we would need a-" 

"Hold on Daniel, what are you talking about? Leaving who behind?" He seems put off by my reaction but explains anyway. "The job, it's moving me away from here. I thought we'd all move, you, Aiden and I." I raise a brow at him, "And if I told you I just got an amazing opportunity to teach at one of Ivan Peskov's studios." He frowns, "So?" I tighten my jaw, "I don't think you get it. This is a big deal." He shrugs, "So is mine." 

I roll my eyes, "I'm not giving this up, Daniel. This place, dance is what motivated me to get out of bed in the morning-" "No, that was me." "I rediscovered myself, Daniel. I'm not leaving it behind." He shakes his head, "I was just-" I hold up a hand, "Just don't." I turn away from him and walk outside.

"Wait, Lindsey." I hear him calling after me. My heart tightens at the use of my full name. I stop walking when I'm almost in the middle of the parking lot, the cold wind hitting my open back. Without looking I know Daniel is behind me. I look up at the stars, pain shooting through me. The thought of what I'm about to say, breaking my heart. 

"I can't. I can't do this any more, Daniel." I run a hand through my hair, I turn, my eyes shut to try and stop the tears, "I've been in love with my brother's best friend since I can remember." I look up at him, "But I'm done now." He frowns, "What do you mean you're done now?" I bite my lip and cock my head to the side, "I'm taking Aiden, and we're moving. I just got the best offer I am going to get in my life. So, I'm taking Aiden and we're leaving."

"You can't do that." He protests. I bite my lip again. Each word feeling like knives that pass through my moth before they hit his heart, "I can. You have no right over my son-" "Our son." He cuts in. "I can take him and you can't do anything about it." "I'm his father." He says angrily. I shake my head, "That means nothing. We're not married. I don't owe you anything." The pain is clear on his face now. I know I've hurt him. But I can't. I can't stay here. I can't let him hurt me over and over again. I can't stay and watch him fall in love with someone new. And I most certainly am not going to give up more of myself for him. I've given up too much already to make him happy. I'm ready to heal. I don't want this. I want better. And I deserve better.  

"Don't do it, Lindsey." I bite my lip when I hear Daniel behind me, "Why not, Daniel? Why not?" I turn around to face him. "Because," he grabs my face between his hands, my heart races in my chest as I wait for him to continue. He pulls me close and kisses me hard. My heart stops and in that moment I feel completely and utterly content. He pulls away and rests his forehead against mine and then he says it, almost breathless, "because I freaking love you, Lindsey."