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“Maybe it’s one big owner, and they bought a whole bunch of studios.”

I could see it. I’m sure it’s happened before, but why the fuck would I be on the email thread?

Vic and I close down the studio, cleaning up just barely, both rushing to get out and breathe some fresh air. The front door jingles, and my stomach swoops, because I know there’s only one person to expect at this hour.

I rush to gather my stuff and walk with Vic down the hallway to find Jett holding a bouquet of white ponies and a large envelope.

“Lucky lady.” Vic smiles, looking between Jett and me.

“I’m the lucky one,” he answers, keeping his eyes pinned on me.

His worn leather jacket and white T-shirt only make him look that much scruffier, and the dark denim he’s sporting look like they’re painted on as a second skin.

“You are a lot more dressed up than me.”

“I thought I needed to dress to impress in front of a boss.”

My brain glitches about what he told me he had to do today, but I don’t remember him mentioning any business meetings.

“Oh, I didn’t realize you had business meetings today.”

“I didn’t.”

In two big strides to me, he smiles, and my skin pebbles the closer he gets. The spike he sends through my body never seems to dull.

He sets the flowers on the counter and hands the yellow folder to me, giving me a curt nod to open it.

“What’s this?”

Butterflies flutter across every part of my body.

“Open it. It may explain the extra messages you’ve been receiving.”

With shaky hands, I pry open the envelope.

A large emerald-green ‘E’ takes up the entirety of the first page. Flipping the paper, it reads, Emerald Dance Company. Chicago, IL, Indianapolis, IN, Washington, D.C., and Nashville, Tennessee.

“What is this?” I whisper. My eyes scan the title, becoming fuzzy as I read, until they find my name at the bottom.

Emerald Dance Company, Owner: Sofia Chandler.

“It’s yours.”

My breath catches, and I can’t stop the tears as they fall. When I look up at him, trying to make sense of what’s going on, he’s simply grinning with pride.

“Why?” I whisper.

“This is your happy place. Your dreams are behind these walls. They’re behind every wall I’ve watched you dance in. I wanted to make them come true.”

I can’t believe this is happening. Taking my eyes off him, I look around at the place that raised me. The place that built me. It’s really mine. I can’t believe this.

“I-I… Jett, this is too much.”

I set the paper on the counter.

My counter.

“It’s mine?” Turning to Vic, my feelings swirl. Her face is red, tears streaming down her cheeks.