Page 62 of Dancing on Air

Then, after everything he’d gone through, he’d had no choice but to return home to lick his wounds. It had been the only option. The more he’d worked the past few years for Sharper Image, the more he’d realized that teaching and choreographing was as much of a passion to him as trying to write his own ballet.

The way he saw his future was a lot different than how he’d looked at it a year ago. Hell, even a month ago.

Cora was his future. Her and doing all he could to help his sister fulfill her dream. He had complete faith in Missy’s abilities and her head for business.

All day long she and Cora had chatted about the small details of opening her own bakery. Cora had a great idea to have a line of low-calorie, low-sugar, and gluten-free items.

When there was a knock on his door, he finished tying his tie and went to open it for Cora.

Tonight, her dress was a soft black top with a flowing pink tulle skirt. She wore low heels and had tied her hair to the side in a long braid.

She looked even better than he had dreamed she would.

Without saying anything, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered against her lips.

“We’re so late.” She chuckled.

He took her hand and shut his door, and they made their way down the hall. They met Missy at the top of the stairs, and the three of them walked downstairs together.

Chapter Sixteen

Cora could tell that Max was nervous, but after that kiss, she figured some of the tension had left him.

She saw her family gathered in the main entrance of the resort and rushed down the stairs to grab up her nephew Conner James, or CJ, as he liked to be called now. He rushed past his parents and flung himself at her. He hugged her hard enough to bust a rib.

“You’re getting big, kiddo,” she said, holding onto him and spinning him around.

“I grew a whole foot,” CJ said proudly.

Cora glanced up at Kayla, who smiled and nodded.

Standing up, she hugged her half-sister, who was holding one-year-old Willow in her arms.

“How’s she doing?” Cora asked, afraid the little girl didn’t know her very well. To her surprise, Willow’s chubby fingers grabbed Cora’s braid, and her mother easily transferred her into her arms.

“She’s good. Getting heavy,” Kayla said, rubbing her back.

“I offered to carry her,” Rowan broke in as he walked over to hug Cora. “She wanted you.”

“She always wants me,” Kayla joked.

To make her point, Willow lost interest in Cora’s braid and leaned towards Kayla again with her arms out.

Kayla sighed and took her daughter from her.

“Everyone, this is Max and Missy.” Cora turned. “Rowan, Kayla, CJ, Willow.” Just then the door opened and JT, Emma, and the twins arrived. “And the rest.” She laughed.

Dinner was freaking amazing. They filled one of the largest tables in the dining room and were by far the loudest guests in the space. There was more laughter during the meal than Cora had ever experienced before.

Missy was fully animated talking to Rowan and Kayla about something at the other end of the table.

“She fits right in,” Max whispered to her. He must have seen her watching the exchange and smiling at how nice it was that her family was so awesome.

“Yeah, they’re easy to get along with. I mean, two minutes after meeting me, I was part of their family. I never had that before,” she admitted with a slight sigh.

“If I didn’t have Missy, I wouldn’t either.” Max squeezed her hand under the table. “I like them. All of them.”