Page 52 of Fools in Love

“No. Plenty of adults start learning later in life. They’ll never have a full-time career at it, but most of them are doing it for the exercise and the pure joy of dance. In the past few months, I’ve missed that the most. I think I’ve realized that it no longer matters if I dance professionally. Sure, I’ll always miss the stage.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “The thrill of stepping out into the bright lights, hearing the cheers and music. Knowing I’m center stage and captivating everyone’s attention.” She opened her eyes and shrugged slightly. “I’m hoping to get that fix of excitement by teaching.”

He didn’t want to think about what would happen if she decided it wasn’t enough and that she wanted to move back to the city. There was no doubt in his mind that she could fully recover from her injury and dance. Maybe she’d never be the lead again, but she could easily be on the stage in New York if she worked hard enough for it.

Already, he’d noticed the limp she had was almost completely gone. She rubbed her knee every now and then, and he doubted she even knew that she did it. He’d seen pain cross her face on occasion, usually when she was twisting her leg.

Did dancers do that often?

Halfway through dinner, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He’d gotten so use to ignoring it over the last couple days that it took him a moment to glance at the screen.

Seeing Larry Jameson’s name flash on the screen, he answered it. “Hello, Larry.”

“Tom, I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time?” Larry said, sounding slightly breathless.

“No, what’s up?” Tom asked, holding his breath. His old lawyer usually only called when there was bad news.

“Well, I wanted you to hear it from me first. Your father skipped out on his parole meeting today. He was set to check in a couple hours ago and, well, they sent a patrol car over to the halfway house where he was staying, and they claimed he packed up late last night and left.”

“Shit,” he said under his breath.

“The Las Vegas police department has already put out a warrant. I thought you should know,” Larry said.

“He’s been trying to reach me the last few days. He keeps changing numbers, so I stopped answering my phone.”

Larry was quiet. “How did he get your number?”

“That’s a question I’d liked answered as well,” Tom admitted.

“Okay. I know you’re local PD, but I thought you should keep an eye out. Maybe talk to your chief and see what he can do to help. I doubt he’d head your way—he shouldn’t even know where you are—but if he’s gotten hold of your number…”

“Yeah,” Tom broke in. “Thanks,” he said and hung up.

“What?” Kate asked, looking concerned.

“My dad bailed on his parole meeting today.” He felt a headache build behind his eyes.

Kate looked around the restaurant.

“Easy.” He took her hand in his. “He can’t jump on a plane, which means it would take him about twelve hours to get here.” He calculated and then cursed under his breath. Depending on what time he left last night, his father could already be in Pride.

His stomach tightened, and suddenly he realized just how vulnerable they were. Hell, he’d put Kate directly in the line of danger. They’d walked there. Had his father seen them already?

His stomach lurched, and he began to sweat. He knew better. He was a cop, damn it. He knew better than to endanger the only person he loved.

“Hey.” Kate’s voice broke into his self-berating. “He’s probably not here. He may not even come here. How would he know where you live?” She smiled weakly at him.

He nodded and pulled out his cell phone again. “I’m calling your brother to pick you up and drive you home.”

“No, you are not.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “I’ve planned on staying with you—”

“Kate,” he interrupted her. “Do this one thing for me. Until he’s found, stay as far away from me as possible.” He walked over to his waitress and handed her enough money to pay for their meal as he dialed Nick’s number.

“Hey, what’s up?” Nick answered on the second ring.

“My dad skipped his last check-in. We’re at the Oar. Can you come take your sister home?” he blurted out as his eyes locked with Kate’s. He could tell she was angry at him. Good. Let her be. The farther she was away from him, the better. Physically, mentally, and emotionally.

“Shit, you think he’d come to Pride?” Nick asked.

“I don’t know, but until he’s found, I want Kate somewhere safe, and that means she needs to be as far away from me as possible,” Tom said quickly.