Eyes on Me

by Rachel Harris

  Lily squirmed under my mother’s praise, and her cheeks went positively pink at the word sexy. Her forehead was scrunched in concentration, and her lips were pressed together so tight they were nearly invisible. I tilted my head and watched in fascination as she continued to hesitatingly pick up her foot, then place it back on the floor.

  The girl was shockingly uncoordinated. Seriously, she couldn’t seem to find the beat to save her life, and that was with Ma calling it out. Forget about trying to follow music. Hell, I supposed we were lucky she was still upright at this point, but from her intense expression it was clear Lily Bailey was a fighter. I’d bet she was the type to either get the step right or die trying.

  I liked that about her.

  Over her head, I glimpsed a flash of movement and looked out of habit. Cameron was actively ignoring her partner and the step they were learning, choosing instead to watch me dance with Lily. Even from across the room, I could see her brown eyes swimming with hurt and even jealousy, an emotion that made no sense, considering I wasn’t hers. A fact I’d told her multiple times, but Cameron never did accept defeat easily. She always fearlessly went after what she wanted, a trait I once respected until the night when what she wanted was to make out with another guy.

  I heaved a sigh. Now I sounded bitter. This was why I needed my drama-free space back. Shoving that unpleasant memory back in the recesses of my mind, I tuned in to my partner.

  Ma smiled encouragingly. “You are doing very well. With practice, it’ll be just like breathing. Now, after our feet, our frame is vitally important. It is how we hold ourselves and connect with our partner.” She exaggerated pulling to her full five-six height. “We want to stand tall, with our spine strong, and our weight over the balls of our toes. Our feet are turned out in a V shape, with our left foot facing ten o’clock, and right foot facing two.”

  Lily nodded and tried to replicate the position, straightening her spine and widening her stance, and wobbled a bit for balance. Instinctively, I reached out to steady her, expecting the worst even for the simple move, and my hand closed around the soft skin of her arm. Clear blue eyes shot to mine, wide and surprised as if she’d forgotten I was here. Huh. That was a first.

  Fighting a smile, I released her arm and rubbed the back of my neck.

  Ma made a few minor adjustments, then signaled her approval. The final part of the two-handed basic was, of course, adding the hands. Lily bit the corner of her lip as she placed her fingertips in my waiting palms, and I held them loosely, not missing the fact they were slick with sweat. She released a nervous breath, and a small yet sharp pang of protectiveness hit my chest. I gripped her hand more firmly, trying to infuse her with confidence.

  We started to move, doing the same basic step she’d learned before, and I squeezed her fingers to the beat. “One, two, three, four,” I murmured softly. “Five, six, seven, eight.”

  Muscle memory guided my feet as I focused completely on Lily. Willing her along as I danced in the opposite direction. As I watched the light bounce off her red hair—her eyes, of course, were focused on the floor—I realized how different it was, dancing with someone almost as tall as me. The women in my family were all on the average to shorter side, five-six or less, and Cameron was a full foot shorter than my six-two. Lily, on the other hand, had to be close to five-ten. When I leaned in, her temple grazed the tip of my nose.

  A citrusy scent floated from her hair, and with her so fixated on her feet, I let my gaze drift down her body. No skirt today. She was in jeans, a safe choice considering yesterday, and the form-fitting denim showed off her long legs. I’d always been a leg guy, so I could admit I enjoyed the view.

  Too bad she couldn’t control them, though.

  Once she’d mastered the two-handed basic…or gotten close enough…Ma moved on to the closed frame position and trying the steps with music. This new arrangement had us standing closer together with my right arm wrapped around her back and left hand holding her right. Standing that close, I realized just how long it had been since I’d held a girl in my arms. Thanks to Cameron, I’d been flying solo since May.

  I blamed that for my quick glance at her lips.

  Lily’s face flushed as she rested her arm on mine. “Nothing like getting up close and personal, huh?” she asked, grinning sheepishly. Darting her gaze past my right ear, she blew a strand of hair off her face, and the sweet scent of peppermint hit my nose. “I, uh, feel like I should apologize in advance for tripping or crunching your toes. I assure you it won’t be intentional. My feet have a tendency to go rogue.”

  I laughed. “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

  “No, seriously,” she said, glancing back at me with a wry smile. “You think yesterday was bad? You ain’t seen nothing yet. I’m like a newborn colt, all skinny legs and no rhythm.”

  “Well then, lucky for you, I’ve got that in spades.” I raised my eyebrows with a haughty grin, trying to get her to loosen up, and Lily rolled her eyes.

  Mission accomplished.

  The music poured through the speakers—“Muevete” by D.L.G.—and after finding the beat, I began murmuring the count for her to follow. “Quick, quick. Slow. Quick, quick. Slow. One, two, three, four. Five, six, seven, eight.”

  Dancing with music was harder. Even doing the same steps you’d mastered a second ago, the extra stimulus could jumble your feet. That’s where a strong partner came in handy. At least in theory.

  “You’re ahead of the beat,” Ma said, modeling the steps alongside her. “Stop watching your feet and lift your head. Listen to the count. Trust that Ágoston will guide you when it’s time to move.”

  The muscles in Lily’s back twitched under my arm, and her jaw turned to granite. Sensing control was a bit of an issue for her, I tried teasing again. “Yeah, unlike you, I don’t walk into walls. It’s okay to follow me.”

  Her head jerked up, her gaze leaving the ground long enough to stare at me with a mixed expression of self-deprecation and annoyance. I grinned.

  “You really can let go,” I told her seriously. “I’ve got you. And hey, if you make a mistake, it’s no big deal. Play it off or make it part of the dance.” I shook our linked hands. “Believe it or not, this is supposed to be fun.”

  Lily exhaled heavily and darted a glance to the side. “I don’t like attention,” she murmured quietly, her blush deepening with the admission. “The mirrors in this room…they make it feel like everyone’s watching us.”

  I couldn’t promise they weren’t—in fact, I knew of at least two who were, seated at one of the small tables to the side now that group class was over. But, I could help her forget about them. “Then keep your eyes on me,” I told her. “No one else here matters anyway. It’s just you and me and the music, okay?”

  Lily’s eyes drifted across my face, and she released a shaky breath. When she inhaled again, the muscles in her back and arms slowly relaxed, and the tension in her face smoothed away. Blood rushed back into my hands as her Hulk-like grip turned less frantic.

  I winked. “Good. Now, let’s dance.”

  I couldn’t say she rocked it from there. The girl was far from a natural, and she was never quite sure of her feet. But she did get better, and more importantly, she started having fun. I doubted she’d admit it, she seemed stubborn like that, but when Ma had us try a variation where we didn’t hold hands, instead asking us to add our own flair, Lily wrinkled her nose and went with a duck face.

  It was kind of adorable.

  This quirky girl who tripped over air and held herself so rigidly finally let loose, and when she went so far as to add a hint of a shoulder shake, I had to smile. As luck would have it, she looked up right at that moment and a flash of insecurity crossed her face, so I immediately busted out a ridiculous face of my own and shook my shoulders in an exaggerated shimmy.

  Lily threw her head back in a laugh. It was loud and genuine and so completely free that I joined in. A fiery look entered her eyes, and she shimmied again. This time with a pla
yful grin.

  I had to admit, this hadn’t been the worst hour of my life. If things were different, it could even be fun making this a regular thing, helping students, if that’s what Ma wanted. Unfortunately, what our family needed was cash.

  With the latest song trailing into its final counts, Lily got more into it. Her feet grew steadier, and from the look on her face, you’d have thought she’d mastered the vortex turn or death drop instead of a basic beginner move. But she’d worked for it. She’d earned every bit of that confidence. In a weird sort of way, I was proud of her.

  The music ended, along with the lesson, and to Lily’s clear chagrin, light applause erupted. Looking around, I saw most of the room had cleared out, but a few people remained. Marcus came over with a smile, and while he and Ma congratulated Lily on a successful first lesson, Lily became oddly fascinated with the floor.

  It was strange how so averse she was to attention, considering she was always up for academic awards, but for her sake, I was glad she was preoccupied. With her eyes on the ground, she didn’t notice the targeted looks Cameron and Ashley threw our way.

  Or the even stranger one from the man I assumed was her father.

  …

  A few hours later, the sun was setting through the windows, and I was entering the day’s totals in the computer. Ma had left to pick up ingredients for Chase’s enchiladas, and Angéla was watching the bakery at the end of the strip while the owner grabbed a smoke. I was in a hurry, wanting to beat Ma home and talk to Dad about my plan, so when the bell on the door went off, I didn’t bother looking up.

  “Sorry, we’re closed.”

  Footsteps sounded on the floor, coming closer instead of out the door. “I won’t bother you long.” I raised my head at the gruff voice, and Lily’s dad shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’ll only take a moment of your time.”

  “My mom’s not here,” I replied. I looked around the dark, silent room, subtly pointing out we were closed for the day. “Ilusiòn isn’t open tomorrow, but if you want, you can leave a message and she’ll call you back on Monday.”

  Mr. Bailey shook his head. “No, no message.”

  He pressed his lips together, and as he watched me with appraising eyes, I tried not to react. This was a parent of one of Mom’s students. Evidently, a former student himself. I couldn’t flinch even if the guy did make me uncomfortable. Then he said, “Actually, I came by to talk to you.”

  My eyebrows lifted. Was he here to give me “helpful” advice, too? I didn’t get the sense the man was a football fan. Lily’s dad was built like a linebacker, tall and solid, but he had a commanding energy fit for a boardroom that seemed better suited for a golf course than a football field. But other than the game, what else could we possibly have to discuss? Ma was the instructor.

  “I noticed you and my daughter seemed to know each other.”

  Okay. “Yes, sir,” I replied, somewhat hesitantly. “I mean, we go to school together, but we have a big class. Lily and I don’t really hang out in the same circles.”

  He nodded, as if he’d expected that. He took a step closer and spread his hands on the marble counter. “Then I’m guessing you didn’t hear about her recent health issue due to stress.”

  My eyes widened. Now that, I hadn’t heard. Or expected. Lily and I had shared a couple classes over the years, and she’d always been the girl with all the answers, the one teachers called on to make the rest of us look dumb. I’d have bet money she had her shit together. Then again, she did seem wound pretty tight.

  “The doctors say it’s important for her to relax,” her dad explained, his thick eyebrows drawing together, “and a hobby could help with that. I have fond memories of taking lessons here with my wife, which is why I suggested Lily try dancing.”

  That explained at least one question I’d had. There was no way this had been Lily’s idea. I shook my head. “Why are you telling me this?”

  Mr. Bailey sighed, and the wrinkles in his forehead grew deeper. “I’m not an idiot. Lily doesn’t want to take lessons. The only reason she agreed to come was because she hoped she’d be so bad at it that I’d let her out of our deal. When I leave in a week for work, there’s not a thing I can do to force her to come back. But I believe this can help her, that it’d be good for her to do things other than study and worry about college.” His eyes grew sharp as he leaned against the desk. “It’d help if someone had her back when I wasn’t here.”

  I shifted in my chair. I didn’t know her well, but I doubted Lily would want her dad telling me such personal details of her life, and I didn’t see how I could do anything to help either way. “Like I said, we really don’t know each other like that—”

  He put up a hand, cutting me off. “All I’m asking is for you to help make this a fun experience for her. Just for a month or two.”

  This guy took helicopter parenting to unhealthy levels. “Look, I respect that you care about your daughter, but I’m not sure how much I can do. I might not even be working here much longer. Maybe you should try talking to Lily about this.”

  And let me shut this place down so I can get home.

  Mr. Bailey stood back and reached into his pocket. “I think you’re missing my intent, so let me be clear with what I’m asking. I’d like for you to be Lily’s permanent partner while she is a student at Ilusiòn. If you can get her to stay in lessons, maybe even add an extra class or two throughout the week, I’ll pay you for your time. Generously.”

  My mouth fell open, sure I’d misunderstood. This kind of thing only happened in TV shows. Then he took out a wallet fat with cash, and I sat up in the chair.

  “I’ve already paid upfront for the first month of lessons,” he said. “The ultimate package that lets Lily take unlimited classes, in case you can convince her to sign up for more.”

  I almost laughed out loud. No one signed up for the ultimate package. It was ridiculously priced, as a class cost a hundred dollars a pop, and that package equaled taking three lessons a week. No one had time for that.

  “If I didn’t have to travel so much, maybe I’d eventually take the lessons with her…” He trailed off, his face tightening, but he quickly cleared his throat and said, “And if so, I’d have to pay double that amount anyway.”

  Any words I would’ve said lodged in my throat as he started setting bills on the counter. Benjamins. A whole lot of them.

  “I know my daughter, Mr. Torres, and she’ll bail if she doesn’t see the value in the lessons or enjoy them.”

  We were up to eleven bills now, eleven hundred dollars. He dropped one more onto the pile, and my heart started pounding.

  Laying tile on Saturdays would pay fifteen dollars an hour. I’d make half the amount he was offering in a month. A bit more if I worked Wednesday afternoons, but the jobs were slower during the week. Plus, if I could convince Lily to keep taking lessons beyond this month, that’d be additional income for the studio.

  That’d be better than working for Hunt.

  My stomach knotted as I stared blankly at the cash. Ma would be pissed if I said yes. She’d say it was my job to help students, which was true. If Lily needed me to dance with her, she’d work it so that I could be available during her lessons for free. Ma was too proud to admit we could use the additional income. Lily probably wouldn’t be too thrilled, either. I really did think in his own warped way the man meant well, but it felt like he was trying to buy his daughter a friend. Or thought she needed a babysitter.

  I pressed my hands together in front of my mouth and exhaled. “Listen,” I said with a slight laugh. “I’m not gonna lie. I could use the money. Your offer is crazy temping, but the truth is, my mom wouldn’t like it. It’s sort of my job to help wherever I’m needed, at least until I go back to my old job, so I’ll be around for the next week or so if Lily needs me. After that, Marcus will be here. He’s taking over her lessons, and the girls really like him. She’ll be in great hands.” My chest grew tight as I eyed the cash. Swallowing thickly, I forced myse
lf to say, “So, while I appreciate the offer, I’m afraid I have to say no.”

  Mr. Bailey bit the inside of his cheek and picked up the stack. My shoulders hunched.

  “I’m sure Marcus is a great teacher.” He tapped the bills against the counter. “He seemed friendly enough, and I watched him lead the group class. He handled it well. But Lily doesn’t know him, and he’s not her age. She also wouldn’t be his sole focus while she is here. You remember, I’ve taken lessons before. Instructors come and go, and they can switch out for various reasons. There’d be no assured continuity.”

  He had me there. Instructors loved working at Ilusiòn because Ma was a great boss and she made the environment fun, but it was a commission-based system. Not everyone was hungry enough to see it through.

  “Besides, I watched you today,” Mr. Bailey said with a small smile that softened the hard lines of his face. “You made her laugh.”

  Damn, this was hard.

  Objectively speaking, this could be the best solution for both our problems. Ma would get what she wanted—I’d stay at Ilusiòn—and I could bring in extra cash. Mr. Bailey would get what he wanted—Lily would stay in lessons—and I’d make sure she had a good time while she was here.

  The only problem was, Ma would never agree.

  Mr. Bailey held out the money and leveled me with a look. “I’d consider it a personal favor if you agreed. That said, I’d rather my daughter didn’t hear about this arrangement, and I suspect you’d prefer it to stay quiet, too.” He raised a questioning eyebrow, and I gave a reluctant nod. “This can stay between us. A gentleman’s agreement. I won’t tell your mom, and you won’t tell Lily.”

  Looking at the money in his hand, all I could see was the stress in my mom’s green eyes. This could make it go away. I’d said I would find a way to help save the studio, to do my part to contribute, and this man was literally handing me a solution. Not a long-term solution, but a start. I’d be a fool to turn him away.