“Did you find the songs?” Angela asked as she walked into the room. She looked cute in black leggings and a pink tank top, with her hair pulled back in a barrette.

She winced. She was supposed to be finding songs for a teenage contemporary dance duet for the winter performance. They were going to work through lunch on the choreography. “I got sidetracked. I sat down to look for them, but then Quincy sent me a video message asking how my day was going, and I got distracted looking at pictures of us. The video was so cute, I watched it three times. In it, he’s holding Sarah’s little girl, Lila. Sarah brought her into the bookstore because Lila missed him. How cute is that?”

“Ridiculously adorable. I want to see Loverboy and Lila.”

Angela sat beside her, and Roni showed her the video of Quincy holding Lila. Roni’s heart fluttered as he said, Hey, babe, miss you. How’s your day? Wave hi, Lila. Lila waved. Quincy blew Roni a kiss, and Lila puckered up and blew one, too. Then Lila kissed his cheek, and he flashed a devastatingly happy grin. He said, Say bye-bye. Lila said it and he winked, said, Bye, babe, and ended the video.

“Girl, he is so…” Angela sighed.

“I know.” Roni had told Angela all about the meeting, their first night, and first sexy morning together. Angela had again apologized for coming across so harsh about his past, but Roni was kind of glad she’d said all those things, because it had helped her to realize that she did need to know more about recovery and what it entailed.

“Seriously, Roni. He’s brawny, melts like butter for little kids, and sends you to work every day with your head in the clouds. That man is a definite keeper.”

Elisa peeked into the room and said, “While you girls are at it, find a song for Roni’s solo.”

“Elisa…” Roni shook her head.

Elisa shrugged with a mischievous glimmer in her eyes and said, “It was worth a try.”

As Elisa walked away, Angela said, “She’s not going to give up.”

“I know, and I love her for it. But I’m just not ready.”

“If it’s up to you, you’ll never be ready. You’re too good not to get out there and strut your stuff. It’s like hoarding cookies when you know your friends would love them.” Angela pointed to Quincy’s picture and said, “That guy right there deserves to see you onstage, in all your spectacular glory. And I don’t mean naked.”

“Why not? He’d like seeing me naked onstage if it was a private performance.” The idea sent a thrill through her. She still couldn’t believe he not only didn’t mind her scars, but he continued to touch her all over like they didn’t exist.

“Can I tell you how great it is to hear you say that after how worried you were about your scars? I love that Quincy adores all of you. I feel like you should give him extra lovin’ tonight as a thank-you from me.”