I nod slowly. “He’s gonna be floored. That dress was made for you, Reese. It’s amazing.”

She smiles and my heart comes out of my chest when a tear slowly rolls down her cheek. Coming up on the platform with her, I wrap my arms around her and she hugs me back tightly, kissing my temple before I nuzzle my face in her neck. As I hold her, I can’t believe how much everything has changed. How did I go from having such a crappy life, where I basically didn’t care if I lived or died, to now having all this?

An uncle and aunt who love me.

And now a guy who’s falling for me.

I sorta want to pinch myself to make sure it’s all real.

After getting the dresses packaged up and carried to the car for Reese to take home, we head down the road to our favorite sushi place. Sitting in the booth, we order before settling into easy conversation that comes naturally to us. Everyone always assumes we’re sisters, and while I don’t mind that, I consider her more my mom than anything. She’s stern when she needs to be and loves me unconditionally. It’s a great balance, and I love her for it. My mom was never that way. All she cared about was the men, drugs, and the booze; I was always a ninth thought. It sucked, but I learned from it, and I feel like it’s made me stronger. I thought I didn’t need anyone back then, I thought I was fine on my own, but now I know I was so wrong.

I could have lived without love, but I learned I thrive with it. And now that I’ve have it, I can’t be without it.

“Remember you have that pole class next week,” Reese reminds me as I stuff my face with a piece of sushi.

Nodding while covering my mouth, I chew up the piece and then wash it down with water before saying, “Yeah, Wednesday, is everyone coming?”

She smiles. “Well, Piper is bitching ’cause she’s pregnant and doesn’t know why I’m making her continue the class when she’s getting bigger, but I told her to shut up. We started as a group, we’ll finish as a group.”

“Awesome, I can’t wait to see everyone,” I say, speaking of my Assassins family.

“Yeah, they are excited. I heard Fallon is getting a pole installed in the bedroom,” she laughs and I laugh along.

“I bet Uncle Lucas loves that.”

“You know he does,” she says, shaking her head. “They are crazy, but it’s fun.”

“Agreed. I’m using that dance for one at Ms. Prissy’s. Do you think that’s bad? Like recycling dances?”

“No, not at all. It’s a private class. We’re just testing the waters, no big deal.”

“Okay, cool,” I say. “Ms. Prissy was telling me some investors are coming.”

“Wow,” Reese says, looking up at me. “That’s huge. When I was there, we had some come from Florida and Texas – opened up two new Prissy’s and I even went to train the staff. It’s a lot of fun and lots of money to be made. I actually had the chance to run one of the Prissy’s, but I had just been accepted to the dance company. Make sure those are the best dances you’ve ever come up with for the club. This could be good for your career.”

“Yeah,” I say as my stomach drops. “Do you think it could be a career? Burlesque?”

She nods as she meets my gaze. “Claire, you could be the best burlesque choreographer I’ve ever seen. You have amazing talent. That’s why Ms. Prissy pays you way more than she ever paid me. You’re doing well for yourself. Not everyone can say they make two grand for a two-minute piece at the age of nineteen. Lord knows, I couldn’t. You could own your own club and succeed, so make sure you impress those investors.”

“I will. I really want this. I think that it would be good not only for Ms. Prissy but for me.”

“It can be. Believe me. Big things can happen, babe.”

I smile, excited about it all. I’ve been thinking about it a lot and hoping that maybe this is my break to get into the world of dance. Choreographing amazing dances for Las Vegas shows would be amazing, and I love burlesque. It’s so sexy and fun, and I know I’m good at it.

“Can I come and show you what I’ve got so far?” I ask, needing her support.

“Of course.”

“Thanks,” I say and then I chew on my lip for a moment, mulling over the words in my head before I ask what I’ve been wanting to ask for a while. Reese had worked for Ms. Prissy all summer long for four years when she was home from college. She would also sell pieces to Ms. Prissy by videotaping them and sending them to her when she was gone. Like she’d said, Ms. Prissy paid her well, but she pays me better. Which works great for me – I’m making a lot of money and doing something I love. Not many people can say that.

But that’s not what’s bothering me. I’m good with my money and my work, but I’m not good with hiding it from Jude or even Phillip.

Looking across the table, I ask, “So did anyone know you worked there?”

She shakes her head. “Nope. Not even Piper knew until my third year there. Then she started working there,” she says with a laugh.

I smile as I pick up a piece of sushi before throwing it in my mouth. When my phone starts to sound with a text, I chew my piece as I dig my phone out of my pocket to see that it’s a text from Jude.

Hey Jude: Wanna eat some food on a blanket outside?

I laugh.

Like a picnic.

Hey Jude: saying do u want to have a picnic makes me sound like a girl, so wanna eat on a blanket outside?

Me: Weirdo. Will there be waffles?

Hey Jude: there will be now.

Me: Then yes, I’ll love to have a picnic with you.

Hey Jude: haha. 7ish?

Me: sounds good.

Hey Jude: btw…I miss u.

Me. Btw…I miss u way, way more.

Hey Jude: I doubt that.

“Jude?”

I glance up from my phone to meet Reese’s knowing gaze. Tucking my phone in my pocket, I shrug. “Yeah, how did you know?”

A grin pulls at the side of her mouth before she takes a drink of her water. “Only a guy can put that grin on your face. You’re basically glowing, Claire.”

“It’s no big deal,” I say even though I know I’m lying my ass off. I look away shyly. I don’t know why I’m shy about him, but I am, especially in front of Reese. I don’t get why, because with anyone else I’m loud and proud, but she knows me. She can see through me in a heartbeat and will know that he means more to me then I’ll let on.