Until You (The Redemption, #1)(8)

“Oh. You’re not moving here permanently?” That’s news to me.

“Nope,” Addy says as she picks up a photo of my “family” and examines it. “Just for the summer. Dad told his uncle that he’d help him with the house, so we came out here.”

“At least that’s the reason he told us—fresh air and sunshine and less screen time—but we know it’s more for him,” Paige says with a roll of her eyes. “But it’s cool because this house has more rooms, so we have an extra one to make an influencer studio for us.”

“An influencer studio?”

“Yep. Dad likes to focus on one project at a time. Uncle Ian’s stuff, first. Then something he calls a pipe dream that makes no sense to us. We know better than to ask for too many things at once,” Paige adds, “but it’s on our list.”

“You have a list?” I ask as I move to the kitchen and pull out the container that holds Hani’s food. By the way he rubs himself against my legs, I’ve now regained the favorite person in the room status.

“Yes. We do. Dad says lists are important,” Paige says, picking up Hani’s bowl without me asking her to and bringing it over to me. “Why would you name a cat Hani?”

Images flash in my head that feel like forever ago. Turquoise water. Black sand beaches. My friends I miss dearly. So much left behind in a life that it took me quite a while to remember what it felt like to live it.

“It sounds . . .”

“Hawaiian,” I finish for a struggling Addy. “It means lucky.”

“Lucky?” Paige asks. “Why not just name him Lucky, then?”

Because that’s what I am.

“Because everybody needs a little bit of luck in their life,” I say.

“Are you Hawaiian?” Addy asks, scrunching up her nose to study me.

“Nope. Just liked the name is all.”

I wait for more questions that I’ll have to fake my way out of, but before they come, Hani’s purrs grow louder.

“Here,” Paige says, noticing him, and takes the container of food from me.

“He only gets one cup for dinner,” I instruct as Addy sits cross-legged on the ground beside the bowl and both of them run their hands down his back while he begins to eat.

They really are adorable, even though my head dizzies trying to keep up with their energy.

I have a feeling Hani is going to be running away often now in search of this type of adoration.

“Chicago?” I ask. “That’s where you guys moved from?”

“Yep.” Paige laughs when Hani flicks his tail. “After everything that happened, Dad said he wanted fresh air and firmer ground under our feet.”

“Whatever that means,” Addy says with a roll of her eyes.

“I take it that means neither of you wanted to spend the summer here? That has to be hard leaving your friends and home for that long.”

Dual shrugs. “Yeah, but it’s okay. She’s my best friend so it’s not like I don’t have her.” Paige gives her sister a glance and her expression softens. “The only reason we didn’t want to move was because she was at the top of the waiting list to get into the Bolinger Studio. And now . . . we’re here.”

I expected my question to be met with grumbling. Leaving friends. Leaving familiarity. But hoping to attend one of the most prestigious dance studios in the country was definitely not it. And Paige’s admission is like a knife to my gut.

I knew that love once. I had that passion. And I know exactly what it feels like to have to leave it all behind.

“I had a friend who danced with their troupe a few times,” I say softly before I can catch myself. Hints of my past aren’t allowed, but the slip has Addy snapping her eyes up to mine and her smile widening.

“You did?”

From pointe shoes, damaged toes, and endless hours of rehearsal to ridiculous screen time, neck cramps, and reading for a job.

My, how my life has changed.

“I did. It was a long time ago. She loved the experience. Said it was one of the best of her life.” The lie comes easily, as they all do these days, but the memories are crystal clear in my mind of the short time I spent with the dance troupe. “I bet you anything that spot won’t open back up until school starts again. You’re probably safe.”

“You think?”

“I think,” I say with a reassuring smile.

“Did you dance?” she asks as if she sees right through my mistruth.

“I did.” I nod. “A long time ago.”

“That’s so cool,” Addy says, standing.

“Just because you’re here in Redemption Falls doesn’t mean you have to give up your training. It doesn’t mean you won’t achieve your dream.” She nods, but the sadness in her eyes remains.

“She will,” Paige says with an unwavering confidence in her sister that melts my heart. “I know she will. Besides, the best thing about being here for the summer is getting a break from Ginny’s breath.”

My laugh is probably uncalled for considering I’m the adult here, but Paige’s comment is so out of the blue, I can’t help myself. “I’m afraid to even ask what that means.”

“Our babysitter.” A mock gagging from Addy. “She’s nice and all that. She does stuff with us after school, but if she gets too close to you and breathes out, man, her breath is enough to knock you out.”