Faith

Thanks to Tara, I now own more than a handful of ankle-length skirts and knitted sweatshirts, so I’m already feeling more confident walking into class dressed in a sleek pair of black leggings that accentuate my butt and a hip sweater than hangs off one shoulder. I’ve done my hair today, letting it fall in golden waves down my back and the small pallet of makeup I invested in lights up my features today.

If Sadie saw me, she’d have had a stroke. I won’t dare tell her that my food allowance went to clothes and makeup. Eventually, I’ll have to come up with a better solution, because Sadie will cut me off the first chance she gets.

I feel extra giddy today due to Danny’s text message last night. I had been certain they wouldn’t even consider me, so I’d been pleasantly surprised to see the message come through.

But I was still hesitant. If Sadie found out that I was dancing, she’d cut me off. As of right now, she and my father were funding my college experience, and that had been one of the rules. No funny business or you’re done.

I couldn’t have that.

I went to my first few classes including Econ and Psychology, where Tara spotted me and whistled, waving me over to take my seat next to her.

“Damn girl,” she says. “You’re looking smokin’ today.”

“Thanks,” I respond, clearing my throat. A few guys glance my way, obviously checking me out, and I flush. I’m not used to the attention. For years I’ve been scolded for attracting any sort of attention, especially from men. Although married to one—my father, no less—Sadie hates men. She thinks they’re all pigs and only want one thing.

At this point, that’s okay with me.

After Psychology ends, Tara and I head to the dining hall for lunch. I grab a chicken salad and Tara goes for a bowl of soup before we make our way to an empty table in the back of the hall. I’m loving school so far; it’s honestly all I dreamed it would be. As long as Sadie keeps her nose out of it, anyway.

“Any word from the step-monster?” Tara asks, right on cue. I scoff and shake my head.

“Talked to her briefly last night. She has no idea about the dance tryout. She still thinks Economics is what I want to major in, and she has no idea we went shopping for normal people’s clothes.” I take a bite of my salad and chew slowly. “In other words, she’s just where I want her to be. Oblivious.”

Tara chuckles. “That reminds me—have you heard from the dance team?”

I open my mouth to answer her, but before I can, someone slides unabashedly into the empty seat next to me, his arm brushing mine.

“Hi, Faith,” Danny says, and my heart flutters unnaturally against my ribcage.

“Danny,” I say carefully, trying hard not to notice again how sexy his dark hair looks, doubled with the icy blue of his eyes. He’s a natural charmer, this one, and the only guy in that trio that seems to actually like me.

Damn.

“Hi,” Danny says, turning to look at Tara, who is staring at him with a flabbergasted look. “Tara, right?”

“Right.”

He turns back toward me. “Faith, we want you on the team.” His words are straight and abrupt, and I feel myself squirm under Tara’s sharp gaze.

“Uh, yeah,” I say. “I know.”

“Great,” Danny says, slapping his hands together once. “So, what’s your answer?”

“I told you last night—I have to think about it.”

“Last night?” echoes Tara, and a flush of heat creeps to my neck and face.

“Via text,” I say quickly, and she chuckles, clearly amused.

“Shall I give you two a minute?” she asks. I shake my head no the same time Danny nods yes.

“Yes.”

“No.”

“I get it.” Tara waggles her eyebrows at me as she gets up and leaves us alone, winking at me over her shoulder. Shit.

“Much better,” Danny says, turning his body towards me. I swallow my intimidation and focus on my salad, wishing he’d just go away. I’m not good with confrontation.

“Look,” he says, reaching out to rest his hand on my upper thigh. His touch makes me quiver and my thighs slap together as a sexy tingle between my legs fires up. Jesus, what is this guy doing to me? “I know you’re hesitant. But we want you on the team. We need you on the team. And we can’t afford to wait for your answer, because we have a competition coming up in three weeks.” His dark brows knit together, hand still lingering on my leg. I’m having a hard time catching my breath, but either he doesn’t notice or doesn’t care, but I’m trying to hold myself together and not envision us naked in my bed. I draw in a deep, unsteady breath, my eyes darting down to his hand, then back to his eyes. Damn, those eyes.

“Okay,” I say finally. “I—I’ll join the team.”

A huge, genuine smile lights up Danny’s face, and I silently curse. As if he couldn’t be sexier, then he goes and smiles.

I’m a sucker for this stranger.

“I’m so glad,” Danny says, and he leans over and hugs me, squeezing tight, and the breath leaves my body once again. “Thank you,” he murmurs, pulling back a few inches to look me in the eyes. “You won’t regret it.”

“I hope not,” I mumble, hardly able to keep track of my thoughts with Danny so close to me. For a moment we simply stare at each other. I feel like I’m in a different world, a different universe. And finally, just as I’m about to faint from his hotness, Danny glances at his watch, curses, and slides out of the booth.

“Look,” he says, shoving his hands deep into the pocket of his jeans. “I really like you, Faith. As more than just a dancer for the team.”

“Um, thanks.”

“Would you like to go on a date with me?”

I inhale sharply. A date. With this sexy guy.

Sadie would have a stroke. She’d kill me first, then she’d have a stroke.

I meet Danny’s gaze again and smile. “I’d love that.”