Home to You

I’ve always had it for Haven and am happy to know the feeling’s only been in hibernation for the last decade or so.

“Daddy! Some of the water flew out of the tub by itself!”

My lips rip from Haven’s, our breathing labored, as reality settles in.

Our kiss has come to an end.

Chapter 6

Haven 6

It’s been two days since I’ve seen Sebastian, and I can still feel his lips pressed to mine. It’s as if no time has passed between us. Except years have passed, and he has an adorable little girl to show for it. I can’t stop the giggle that escapes my lips as I think about her words about the water flying out of the tub by itself. She’s such a great kid, and it’s obvious that Sebastian and Trina are doing an amazing job raising her.

Glancing at the clock, I see it’s time for my littles to be arriving for my next class any minute. That means I get to see him. Get to see them. He texted me earlier and asked if we could have dinner after class. Of course I said yes. I would be a fool not to. More time with both of them is exactly what I need. I’ve really missed them these last couple of days.

“Miss Haven!” I hear Chloe’s sweet voice. I turn just in time for her to launch herself at me, wrapping her little arms around my waist as best as she can. “Daddy said we get to go get pizza after class,” she tells me excitedly.

“Daddy said no such thing,” Sebastian’s deep voice announces. “Hey, Have.” He leans in and presses his lips to my cheek before turning his attention back to his daughter. “What I said was that we were going to have dinner with Haven tonight.”

“Yeah, pizza,” Chloe says, like it’s the only option.

“We took her for pizza last time. Why don’t we pick something else?”

I watch in amusement as Chloe taps her chin with her index finger deep in thought. “Oh!” Her eyes light up. “Can we go to that chicken place, you know the one that only lets us have chicken and French fries?” she asks, hopeful.

Sebastian glances at me for approval. “I don’t care where we eat as long as I get to sit beside you,” I say, bopping her on the nose. She offers me a toothy grin.

“See, Daddy, pizza!” Chloe cheers, rushing off to greet some of her friends who have started to arrive for class.

“You can’t let her get her way all the time,” he tells me, stepping closer.

“I like pizza,” I say, gazing up at him.

“I like you.”

“Yeah? Does that earn me a kiss later?”

“Later? Why not now?”

“Your fan club just showed up.” I glance behind him at the moms who are watching us with interest.

“Even more reason to do it now,” he says, leaning in and pressing his lips to mine before I can object.

He pulls away, leaving me dazed, and it was just a quick peck. “You’re going to start rumors,” I say, taking a step away from him. It’s not that I don’t want to be next to him. In fact, there is nowhere else I’d rather be, but I need to remember that I have to remain professional.

“What rumors? That I’m kissing my girlfriend, hello?”

My heart thunders in my chest. “Is that what I am?”

His hand finds its way to my cheek. “No, Haven. You’re more than that. So much more, but we’re going to start there.”

“I’m Chloe’s teacher.”

He nods. “And she adores you. I’m not hiding this from anyone, especially not my daughter, and not the nosey-ass dance moms who stare at me like I’m some piece of meat.”

I let my eyes rake over his body. “I can’t say as I blame them,” I comment, my eyes meeting his once again.

“Keep looking at me like that, Have, and we’re going to be locking ourselves in your office.”

“Is that a threat or a promise? I just need to figure out which route I’m going to take,” I ask.

“Both, beautiful. It’s both.” He leans in for another kiss, which has the girls screaming that we now have cooties. “I’ll be watching.” He winks and saunters off to the edge of the room to take his seat next to the horny dance moms. I watch as they all stare at him curiously, and then they pounce. I can’t make out what they’re asking, but I’m certain from the grin he’s wearing, he’s getting badgered with questions about us.

“All right, ladies. Are we ready to get started?” I ask the class. A chorus of “yeses” ring out as they scramble to get into position.

Over the thirty minutes, we practice poses and balance. At this age, it’s really the very basics and ensuring that they’re having fun. That’s what Mrs. Simone did for me when I was Chloe’s age. She made dancing entertaining. That’s when I fell in love with it. At five years old, I knew that I wanted to dance. Then, I fell in love with Sebastian. The day I walked away from us will forever be one of the greatest regrets of my life. I thought I needed dancing and Broadway to be happy. Little did I know a trip home and a few stolen kisses would prove to me otherwise.