"Of course not. You're a totally different kind of person."
"Isn't that the truth."
I carefully rinsed out the mop and tucked it back in the closet. "I mean, you are going to have a different relationship with them than Evander has, and that's okay. Because they need lots of different kinds of relationships in order to grow and develop into well-rounded individuals."
"I don't understand."
I leaned against the counter, facing her. "When I was a kid, my parents were very strict and sort of regimented."
"That doesn't sound fun."
"It wasn't. But it gave me structure and a sense of security. And that's important for a kid. I had other people in my life who gave me other things. I had an aunt who played fairy princess and had tea parties with me. And another who did art projects and got messy. They gave me a sense of wonder and sparked my imagination. I had a teacher who, while very proper and teacher-like, built up my self-esteem and encouraged my strengths. It takes a lot of people to raise one kid, let me tell you."
She opened the dishwasher and began filling it. "So you're saying there's a place for me, too."
"Of course there is. Find something that you have in common with the boys. Or something they need that you can give them. Tutoring in math or whatever you're good at. Give them that. Right now, you are stability in their world. Let them know you will continue to be that. The rest will follow. It just takes time."
She smiled a little. "You're very good at this."
"You're not the first parent I've met who was having a meltdown over not being good enough."
"Parent. That's a scary word."
"But that's what you are now. And it can be a wonderful thing. Believe me. I've seen that too."
She nodded. "Thank you." She started the dishwasher. "And thanks for the help cleaning. I should get to work. I've got a mound of paperwork to do." She started for the kitchen door, then paused and turned back. "Every year I hold a big party on Valentine's Day here at the house. Dinner, dancing, plenty of champagne."
"I'll be sure to keep the boys out of the way."
"That's not what I meant. Viola will stay with the boys through the party. She's already agreed. I wanted to invite you."
I swallowed. She wanted me to attend her posh Valentine's Day party? "I don't have a date." Heck, I didn't know anyone but her and Evander.
Viola smiled, this time a real one. "You don't need a date. That's the whole point."
"I don't have anything fancy to wear."
"You let me worry about that. Just promise me you'll come."
What the heck? What else was I going to do on Valentine's Day? Sulk over being alone? Moon over Evander?
"Sure. Okay. I'll come to the party."
"Good. Trust me. It's going to be fun."
I wasn't sure Bella's idea of fun was the same as mine, but I smiled anyway. "Can't wait."
"Oh, and don't forget." Bella whirled back around. "There's a forró: dance-off."
I blinked. "A what?"
"We always have a forró: dance-off. It's tradition, so brush up." And with that she swept out of the kitchen. I was still staring at the empty doorway when I heard the front door slam and realized I was alone.
Forró:. Holy crap. How was I going to learn forró: in two weeks? And what on earth was forró: anyway?
# # #
"Bella tells me you're coming to the Valentine's Day party," Evander said. We were strolling through the park a block away from Bella's house while the twins tore around like they'd never been outside before. It was two days since Bella had asked me to the party and the first time it hadn't rained since I got to London. Although overcast and the temperature hovering somewhere in the forties, it seemed the perfect time to get the kids out of the house. Evander had caught us as we were coming down the walk and had joined in the park adventure. I was beginning to wonder what he did for a living that he could take all these days off. When I'd asked, he'd mumbled something about investments. I was guessing hedge fund manager or something boring and lucrative like that.
The park was one of those private green spaces surrounded by a tall, wrought iron fence like in the movie Notting Hill. Only the local residents had the code to the gate. To keep out the riffraff, I guessed. It was deserted that afternoon except for the four of us.
"The party, yeah. She invited me. I agreed to go, but I think that was a mistake."
"Why?"
"She said there's a forró: contest. I don't know how to dance. I mean not like that." The last thing I wanted to do was embarrass myself in front of Bella's posh friends.
Okay, if I were honest, it was all about Evander. I didn't want to embarrass myself in front of him. I mean, I knew it was useless, me mooning after him. He was taken, something Tamzin had made very clear. Still, I didn't want him thinking I was a total loser.
"Are you familiar with salsa?'
"I've seen it done."
"Forró: is a Brazilian dance similar to salsa. I'm sure you'll pick it up quickly. I could teach you."
I glanced at him. The wind ruffled his dark hair, sending a curl tumbling across his forehead. I resisted the urge to brush it back. "You know forró:?"
"Of course. My mother made me take ballroom dancing from the time I was six."
Of course she had.
"Granted, forró: wasn't part of the deal, but I picked that up later," he said with a grin.
"I don't know. The party is less than two weeks away. I'm not sure I can learn a dance that quickly."
"Sure you can. It's easy. Here." He grabbed my hand and twirled me around until I laughed breathlessly. Then he placed my right hand on
