“Then it won’t matter if I speak to him.”

“Can I ask why?” he dares to say, tilting his head to the side.

“I have the right, don’t I? To get some answers?”

He sighs loudly. “I guess you do. I’ll have to speak to him—it’s his decision if he wishes to speak to you.”

I nod. “Well, the sooner you can ask the better.”

He smiles weakly and walks over to my coffee machine, flicking it on.

“What now?” I ask, following him in. “With the case, I mean.”

“I’ve got leads. The minute I have anything solid you’ll know.”

“Are they promising leads?”

His face seems to harden just slightly. “Yes.”

There’s something he isn’t telling me, but I’m not ready to push for it. I spent last night emotional because of the last piece of news he shared. I need this given to me slowly. I peer down at my watch and curse loudly. “I’ve got to go, Maxy. I’m meant to be assisting Lyn with teaching in ten minutes.”

He nods. “I’ll let myself out.”

I turn and rush into my room, throwing off my clothes and pulling on a pair of loose pants and a tight tank top. I grab my sneakers and my ballet shoes, and I rush back down the hall, shoving it all into a bag as I go.

“Later!” I cry.

I don’t hear his answer—I don’t have time. I’m late.

CHAPTER 23

AVERY

“What’s going on lately?” Lyn says, watching her group of ten year olds that are warming up.

“Nothing,” I say, leaning down and touching my toes, stretching my legs out.

“Avery, you’ve been late, you’ve been distant and you’re not yourself.”

I sigh. “Max is back in town, Lyn.”

She lifts her eyes. “What?”

“He’s back in town and he’s reopened Mom’s case.”

Her eyes soften instantly. “Oh, honey.”

“It’s just been hectic, between that and leaving Jacob. I’ve just been distracted.”

“I’m so sorry about your mom’s case. It must be hard having it all raised again.”

“It never really closed, it just got put on the backburner. I’m glad it’s being brought to light again. If I can have an answer that might put my mind at rest, then I’ll take it.”

“I understand that.” She nods, turning to the group. “Okay girls, let’s start where we left off last session.”

~*~*~*~

“There’s a very good looking man standing at the door staring at you,” Lyn says when the lesson is over and the girls are getting changed.

I turn quickly and see Nate standing at the door, leaning against the frame. He’s got a sexy half-grin on his face, and the helmet for his bike is tucked up under his arm. He’s still wearing that sexy-as-hell motocross outfit. My heart leaps into my throat and a smile spreads across my face.

“That’s just a friend,” I manage, unable to pull my eyes from Nate.

“Some friend,” Lyn murmurs. “You did good today, Avery. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I nod, not looking at her as I walk towards Nate. His grin gets bigger as I near closer.

“Hey, you,” I say, stopping in front of him.

“You got work this afternoon?”

I shake my head.

“Good. You’re coming with me.”

“Am I now?”

He leans down and takes my hand, tugging me out the door. “You are.”

We get outside and I see his bike leaning against a tree. “There are parks, you know?”

He laughs and pulls me closer. I feel the heat radiating off the engine when I step close. He must have given it a good workout this morning.

“My baby doesn’t like parks.”

“Ohhh, your baby,” I tease. “Your baby is a bit battered.”

He turns to me, his eyes warm, but he doesn’t touch me. He doesn’t lean in and kiss me, or hold me close, because I know he can’t. My chest seizes a little at that thought. Knowing he can’t and won’t touch me in public, that there’s a chance we’ll never just be able to walk down the street holding hands, absolutely kills me. He sees my expression and his face loses its light and happy shine.

“Stop thinking it, Dancer. I know you are, so just stop.”

“I’m not thinking anything,” I whisper.

“You’re thinking that you’ll never have me the way you want, and I’m telling you to stop.”

I look up at him. Damned mind-reader.

“Stop because it’ll never happen and there’s no point in dwelling on it, or stop because it will happen?”

He gives me a soft, pained expression. “You’re asking a question I can’t answer right now. If you don’t want this, walk away now. I won’t follow you. I will respect your choice.”

“You know I can’t do that,” I say, my voice low and soft. “I can’t walk away from you, Nate.”

He steps forward and strokes his fingers down my cheek. “Then get on the bike and let me show you something.”

I stare at the bike, then back to him. “Is that thing street legal?”

He barks out a laugh and rolls his eyes. “On the biker, Dancer.”

I sigh. “Fine, let’s do it.”

He hands me a helmet off the back and I pull it on over my face. He does the same and then climbs onto the bike, kick-starting it. It purrs to life, loud and angry, as if it just wants to go fast. He reaches his hand out and I take it, using it to pull myself over the bike behind him. I wrap my arms around his waist and he takes off. I squeal with delight as he zips through the traffic.