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me to a hospital, where I was pronounced to be fine. “She’s lucky,” the doctor had said.
    “Well.” I forced a smile. “Everything worked out for the best.”
    Philip snorted. “Too fucking late, in my opinion.”
    Guilt had been written all over the judge’s face when Philip had applied for custody again. He had an apartment in a better part of the city by then, but we all knew it was because of that incident that the judge had awarded custody to him. And living with him, where he had sheltered me from the harsher side of life all these years, was the best thing that could have happened to me.
    I’d been protected, allowed to heal and flourish without any pressure at all. Dancing had been a way to express myself and take back control of my body. This was the next step.
    “I’m grateful you were there for me. I’ll always love you for that, but it’s time for me to leave.”
    There was a long pause while he stared into the empty fire grate. “I know. I guess I’ve known for some time, but I’ve been in denial, because I like having you here.”
    My chest tightened. “I like being here too, which is part of why it’s taken me so long to get to this point. But I’ll come back and visit.”
    “You’d better. I want to hear more about this studio.”
    “Of course I’ll be asking for your advice, seeing as you’re so successful in business. Albeit a slightly different industry.”
    “Customer satisfaction, marketing. The same principles apply.” He nodded sagely. “And I’m going to be in charge of security.”
    His brand of security in a dance studio? “It’s open for discussion,” I promised.
    “There’s one more thing I need to ask you.”
    I braced myself. “Shoot.”
    “Perhaps it would be better if you did come to me with questions…and not Drew. At least, not to him alone.”
    Oh God, I was being warned away right when I needed to tell him we were together. Considering I’d just gotten him to graciously accept the opening of the studio and my imminent move, this was so not the time to push for one more thing. But I couldn’t outright lie. Drew didn’t deserve that.
    Caution slowed my words. “Why do you say that?”
    “Well.” He grimaced slightly. “I normally wouldn’t divulge this, since I consider him a friend, but it’s different where family is involved. I know you’re simply using him as a resource, but the truth is, I think he has a bit of a crush on you.”
    “I don’t— What?”
    “For years, really. At first, I worried it might be reciprocal, but…” He shrugged. “It’s Drew, so he’s not going to push you into anything, but maybe it’s best not to meet with him alone. To lead him on, even unintentionally.”
    Oh Lord.
    He knew about Drew’s interest in me? And wanted to protect him. From me. I almost laughed.
    “Anyway,” he said. “You have a business to start. When can I see this new studio?”
    I considered telling him right then. What could I say? Yes, he’s had a crush on me, and it’s reciprocal, and oh by the way, we had some bad sex just now on your carpet. No.
    It wasn’t just that I was worried about how he would take it. I didn’t want anyone to know yet. My relationship with Drew, whether just sex or something more lasting, was something rare and precious. If everyone knew, they would weigh in; they would change it; they might ruin it, and I couldn’t risk that.
    Instead I cleared my throat. “Very soon. It needs some work before I can open.”
    First, I wanted to show it to someone else.

Chapter Five
    After showering for the night, I dressed in a cotton T-shirt and yoga pants. With a duffel bag slung over my shoulder, I headed downstairs. Trying to play it cool, even though I would’ve made the worst spy in the whole world.
    “Rose?”
    I backed up a few steps. My brother was sitting in the library, one leg slung over the other and a book open in his lap. “It’s late,” he said. There was no censure in his tone—there