Breaking the Bro Code by Stefanie London Read Free Book Online

enough to hint at the perfection beneath but not tight enough to look self-serving.
    Col shrugged. ‘I’m starting a trend.’
    The little girl peered at him and then seemed to accept his answer, turning her face to Elise as if to say: okay, you can start now.
    ‘We’re going to start with our tendus .’ Elise clapped her hands together to get the attention of her class, most of whom were more interested in twirling on the spot than completing the set exercises. ‘Ready, one, two...’
    She started the music and stepped her students through the exercise, stifling a laugh as Col bumbled along beside her. He tried to keep in time with the music, but the sad fact was he had about as much musicality as a stuffed llama.
    Okay, so maybe this was cruel and unusual...but didn’t she deserve to have a little fun? Her life was sorely lacking in the good F-word of late...actually, it had been sorely lacking in the other kind of F-word as well, and Col’s sudden arrival had spun her out. Between sifting through the confusing emotions associated with his return, she had a failing business to save and a mother with mental-health demands that would test even the most Zen of people.
    ‘Miss Johnson, you’re messing up the steps!’
    She shook her head, stopping the music so they could start again. A heavy hand came down on her shoulder; the flint in Col’s eyes had been replaced by something else...something that made her insides feel gooey.
    ‘Sorry girls...and boy.’ Her cheeks burned and she moved out from under Col’s touch. ‘Even teachers mess up the steps sometimes.’
    ‘Why don’t we try it again?’ The little girl used the phrase she often said when her line of little angels fell into distraction.
    ‘Great idea, Ginny.’
    Elise fumbled with the remote, suddenly off balance and feeling a little dizzy. Maybe it was something she’d had at lunch...had she even eaten lunch? Or breakfast, for that matter?
    ‘Whoa there.’ Col stepped in close and held her as the ground swam beneath her feet. ‘Elise?’
    His arms held her tight, the space between them closed far too quickly for her to think, to react. His cinnamon and wood scent engulfed her, making her sway in his arms. Oh, no, this could not be happening.
    ‘Miss Johnson! Miss Johnson!’ The students called her name as Elise’s eyelids fluttered closed.
    ‘I’m okay.’ She pressed a palm to her head and tried to steady herself, nudging herself away from Col’s grip with her elbow.
    ‘You’re white as a sheet.’
    ‘I’m fine. ’ She took a step and the room tilted around her sharply, as though someone had tipped the ballet studio over like a child’s playing block.
    ‘Yeah, I’ll believe that when you can stand on your own.’ Col pulled her around his neck. ‘Come on, let’s find you a seat.’
    They walked over to the front of the studio where her MP3 player and stereo system were kept. She settled into the small plastic chair and dropped her head into her hands. If only the room would stop spinning...
    ‘Are you okay?’
    He slowly peeled her hands away from her face, his touch sending shock waves through her system. Each time he touched her it was as if her body were reignited with memories, the images flickering, sounds, gasps, the taste of his skin under her lips. No!
    ‘I’m just a little dizzy.’
    ‘When was the last time you ate?’ His dark brows crinkled.
    ‘Afternoon tea...’ She wasn’t sure if she should read anything into the fact that he remembered her tendency to skip meals when she was stressed. She looked up. ‘Yesterday.’
    ‘Dammit, Elise.’ He growled the words and shook his head. ‘You have to take care of yourself.’
    At that moment Jasmine came jogging in, a long floating skirt swirling around her legs as she moved. ‘Girls, I want you all to practise your tendus for me. The best tendu will get a prize after class.’
    The group of tiny ballerinas attempted a few steps on their own before descending into