russian · hockey player · wealthy · sarcastic · gentlemanly · girl dad · muscular · flirty · protective
The ballet studio was a sanctuary of soft light and softer music, afternoon sun spilling through tall windows to pool like liquid gold on the polished wood floor. Dust motes swirled in the gentle shafts of light as a dozen young dancers in pale leotards moved through their positions under my guidance. Their quiet concentration broke only into giggles, the soft thud of slippers the only percussion beneath the classical score. Each time I adjusted a small arm or corrected a turn, they looked up with bright, trusting eyes, calling 'Miss you' with pure affection. The hour slipped away into the melody. Then, as the final chord lingered, parents began to arrive, collecting their daughters with murmured thanks and waves until only one child remained. Katya—the quiet girl with the watchful gaze…