The Biker's Fate Chapter 239

Before I knew it, the hour was up and the girls began to disperse. Mrs. Quinn pulled Grace aside and Poppy watched, her expression pained. Grace beamed as the instructor spoke to her and I wasn't surprised she'd been noticed. She truly was a gifted dancer.

Class was officially dismissed, and Mrs. Quinn sought me out. "Are you Grace's mother?"

I shook my head. "No, I'm Poppy's."

"Oh, they're both such lovely dancers." She reached out her hand. "I'm Cassidy, by the way."

"Maisie," I said, shaking her hand.

"Would you please let Grace's mom know I'll call her later this week?" she asked.

"I'd be happy to."

The girls walked to where their bags were and began to remove their toe shoes.

"I can see Poppy works very hard."

"You have no idea," I said.

Cassidy smiled. "I think I do. Is this something she's passionate about? And I mean, does she breathe ballet?"

I thought about that question for a few seconds. "No, actually. I don't think she does. Not like Grace, anyway. Gracie is constantly dancing or watching videos. She pulls socks over her pointe shoes and dances around the house. It drives her mother nuts." I chuckled. "Poppy loves ballet, but breathes it? No. Though it doesn't minimize her commitment," I rushed to say.

Cassidy shook her head. "No, and it really shouldn't. I did notice she gets frustrated if she does something wrong. I have always felt dance should be a release… a way to work through my emotions. I've noticed the most gifted dancers can't live without it, but with Poppy, I see a bit of an internal fight. Don't get me wrong, she's a beautiful dancer, but I think if she could figure out what she's fighting against, she'd be able to relax a bit more."

I hummed in thought. "That's an interesting observation. I'll have to ask her about it."

"They're both at a crossroads and I believe they could go quite far, but it's time for them to start making some choices in order to set them up for the future." Cassidy smiled. "I'd love to speak with you further, but why don't you talk to Poppy first and find out what she wants?"

"I'll do that."

"Great." Cassidy said goodbye to each girl individually and then we started out to the parking lot.

I wasn't fully prepared for the next few minutes. As we walked through the foyer, I stalled. Hatch stood with a group of gruff looking men, all in jeans, boots, and leather vests or jackets, and one of them had his arm around Lily as he kissed the brunette who'd checked us in. A teenage boy stood with his arms crossed watching Lily as he spoke with a man who I assumed was his father since they looked alike.

My heart raced, and I felt tingling in places I had convinced myself were dead. Hatch looked my way and I averted my eyes, sure he wouldn't remember me, hoping to escape.

"Let me get you my number," Cassidy said, reminding me I had unfinished business.

I forced a smile. "Right." 

"Are you okay?" Cassidy asked.

"Yes, fine."

She chuckled. "Please don't let them scare you. They look rougher than they are. They're here to help tear down."

"They don't scare me," I said. "Not in the slightest."

She didn't look convinced as she handed me a card with a number jotted down on the back. "This is my cell. Call me this week and we'll have a chat about options for Poppy."

"Great, thank you," I said, and turned to gather Grace and Poppy who were speaking with a few of the other students.

I glanced down to put the card in my purse and when I raised my head I nearly ran into a wall of muscle. I gasped.

"Sorry, babe," Hatch said. "Didn't mean to scare you."

I swallowed. "That's okay." I met his eyes and shivered.

"Maisie, right?"

God, he remembered my name. I nodded, unable to find my voice.

"Hatch," he said.

"I… yes. Hello," I managed.

"You takin' a dance class?" he joked.

I chuckled. "My daughter is."

"Yeah?" He glanced over his shoulder to where I was staring, then focused back on me with a smile. "She looks like you."

I nodded, again unable to speak. I didn't seem to have this problem when he rescued me. Maybe it was because he was standing close and he smelled incredible. Soap, leather, and all man. I was rendered useless when he ran his hand over his beard. I wanted to do it, so bad in fact, I fisted my hand at my side to keep myself from touching him.

He smiled. "I'll let you go."

No. No, don't, please.

"I really appreciate you coming to my rescue the other week if I didn't mention it before," I rushed to say.

"Glad you got home safe. Did you call the dealership?"

I nodded. "I'm taking my car down next week."

"Good."

I bit my lip and took a silent breath. I needed to get myself together, but I felt like time stood still. It was just me and Hatch standing in the foyer of an old building in Northeast, the rest of the world had ceased to exist.

"Mum?"

I was startled out of my trance by Poppy and I forced my gaze from Hatch's. "Are you ready, honey?"

She stared up at Hatch, a curious expression on her face. "Hi."

"Hey," he said.

"I'm Poppy."

I drew my eyebrows together in confusion. Poppy didn't introduce herself to strangers… well, adults, anyway, but she had no hesitation talking to Hatch.

He smiled. "Hatch."

"Cool name," she said.

"Thanks."

"Are you a friend of my mom's?"

"He's the man who helped me when my car broke down," I provided.

She frowned at me. "Oh, you mean when that lady left you stranded?"

I shook my head.

"I mean, who does that?" she continued.

"Who indeed," Hatch said, his voice gruff.

"Let's give Lonnie a break," I said. "Sometimes people make mistakes."

Poppy rolled her eyes and then asked, "Can we have pizza?"

I wrinkled my nose. Gross.

"Before you say you hate pizza," Poppy rushed to say, "there's a place around the corner that has other stuff as well."

"Vincenzo's," Hatch said. "It's good."

"You should come with us," Poppy said.

"Poppy," I admonished. "Mr. Hatch is busy, honey."

"Just Hatch," he said.

"Right. Well, we should go. It was good to see you again."

"This won't take long," Hatch said. "I could join you after."

"Really?" I couldn't keep the surprise out of my voice.

"Sure."

"I have to get Poppy's friend Grace home by nine."

"Shouldn't be a problem," he said.

I smiled. "Okay, then. We'll save you a seat."

He nodded and walked away. I slid my arm around Poppy's shoulders and gave her a squeeze. "Let's go, hmm?"

We grabbed Grace and headed to the restaurant around the corner, and I tried to keep myself from losing the few crackers I'd eaten earlier.