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Tears well in my eyes as I squeeze my cute little mini me back.

“You guys are the best. I won’t be gone forever. Next year, I’ll be back like I never left. Maybe I’ll even add another class onto my schedule, so we get a make-up year. How does that sound?”

As they agree, I can’t ignore the heavy sniffles from a few around the room. I hate that I’m hurting them. It feels like I’m always failing someone, no matter how hard I try not to.

After many necessary rounds of goodbyes, and another meeting with their parents, explaining my departure, I finally pack my duffle bag, heading out for the last and final time.

On my way out the door, Vic shouts from the front desk.

“You’re making the right decision, Fia. You’re going to crush it this year.”

Faking a toothless smile, I nod. “Thanks. I’m really going to miss you guys.”

“We’ll be right here waiting when you get back.”

Most dancers would kill to be in my position, but that’s because they don’t know what it’s really like in those rehearsals.

The constant pressure to be the best, the underlying competition amongst fellow dancers, and not to mention, the peer pressure to look, dance, and act a certain way.

Mix that with the deep wounds I can’t seem to get rid of, and it’s crippling.

Pulling out of Star Studios, I ignore the influx of text messages on my phone. Tapping the touchscreen console, I select my best friend Sienna’s contact.

On top of my false sense of excitement, I’m devastated to be leaving my friends.

“Hi, Fi!” Her raspy voice echoing through the Bluetooth speaker is like healing music.

“Hellooo, what are you and Daddy Duke up to on this beautiful Sunday?”

Last year, when she was at her wits’ end with her controlling father, I had the bright idea that she take a summer nannying gig. Like a fucking movie, said job lured her right into the romantic arms of former pilot, turned Greenway Airlines CEO, Duke Parker.

Her life hasn’t been the same since—all credit me, of course.

“We’re just about to head over to Cici and Pops’ house for Sunday dinner. Wanna join us?”

On top of being a billionaire and owning one of the biggest airlines in the world, Duke and his three brothers are some of the most sought-after men in all of Tennessee.

“Who’s going to be there?”

I already know I may not like the answer, but I ask anyway. It’s not like me to give a fuck about seeing someone I’ve hooked up with. I mean, heck, I try my best not to remember any of them.

But there is one I can’t forget about for the life of me.

One who just so happens to also be a Parker.

“The four of us, Jett, Priscilla, and James. Ivan has been slammed with all the new pilot onboardings, so he’s not going to be able to make it.” Continuing like my breath hasn’t seized in my throat, she continues. “I asked Lincoln to come, but I haven’t heard from her in a few days. Have you talked to her?”

We became friends with Lincoln a few years ago. She and her husband, Grant, are best friends with Duke’s other brother, Ivan, and she’s become a pretty active new member in mine and Sienna’s two-person friend group, but lately things with her marriage have been on the rocks, so she’s been impossible to get ahold of. Still, I’m too caught up by the mention of a different brother to pay it any mind.

“Nope, but that’s not saying much from me. I’ve been too swamped to reach out to anyone.”

I avoid his name, not wanting to harp on it if I don’t have to.

“You’re not too busy for me.” It sounds like she’s smiling, which makes me smile.

“I could never be too busy for you,” I tease.

“You should come by. The twins would love to see you.”