"I pull out. Remember one of my terms is that you're on the payroll. I won't leave him in the lurch though. I'll help him find a new investor if that's the case."
Kris blinked as if she couldn't believe what he just told her.
"Baby?" he said when she was silent for too long.
"You said I have a choice of working in Melbourne or Sydney," she said, finding her voice again. "What if I choose Melbourne?"
"Then I'd move there so we could be together," he said simply.
"Really?"
"Yes. After all, I part-own a dance studio there now," he said with a grin.
"But what about your own company? Dylan and Adam are here in Sydney."
"Electronic communication. Plus it's only an hour and thirty-five minutes flight one-way between the two cities. Easy enough to do a return trip on the same day when necessary."
"You'd really move there for me?" she whispered.
He stared straight into her eyes. "I'll do anything for you. I don't want to lose you again."
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
"Sammy! I missed you!" Kris cried as Sam walked into Trey's apartment followed by Jasmine and Kane who had picked her up from the airport.
"I missed you too, darl. Our apartment is so quiet without you," Sam said as they hugged.
"Is that good or bad?" she asked suspiciously.
Sam laughed. "Sometimes good, but mostly bad. Speaking to you on the phone isn't the same."
"I'm glad you're here," Kris said, giving Sam another squeeze. "Rest for a while, and when you're ready, the kitchen is all set for you."
"I've done nothing but sit on my ass on the plane. I'm good. I'm ready to start," Sam replied, making a beeline for the kitchen.
Kris was grateful her cousin was in town. She hadn't seen her for almost three months and she missed her terribly.
"Where are the others?" Kane asked.
"Trey went to get some more beer, Dylan and Ari are on their way and Adam should be here any minute, too."
"You know, this is only the second time I've been here," Kane commented. "Trey doesn't usually hold parties here."
"Yes, he told me that," Kris responded with a smile.
It touched her that it was Trey who suggested they hold a get-together with their friends in time for Sam's visit. He also said it was to celebrate her getting the permanent position at the studio.
She'd snorted at the latter. Considering Trey's influence in Blake's decision-making process, the role had been hers for months.
If she had been someone who lacked conviction in how much value she added to the dance studio with her talent, skills and professionalism, she might have felt bad that the role went to her only because of Trey. But she knew damn well she was the best person for it. Even Blake had assured her of that.
Since she'd started working at the studio, Blake had been able to confidently go after, and secure, more high-value contracts involving people she'd never thought she'd meet, let alone work with.
It made her feel good that she was partly responsible for giving Trey a good return on his investment.
*******
Sam fiddled with the contents of her luggage as they all congregated in the living room after enjoying their dinner. "Guys, guess what I brought with me," she said.
"What?" Jasmine asked.
Sam pulled out a black leather case and Kris and Jasmine shouted in glee. "Karaoke!"
"When Jaz still lived in Melbourne, the three of us had karaoke sessions almost every week," Sam said to the others. "After she left, Kris and I didn't have as much fun as we don't sing as well as Jaz, so this little microphone hasn't been used for a while."
"How come I've never heard you sing with a mic before?" Kane asked Jasmine.
"We don't have one of those," Jasmine replied shyly. "It's been awhile since I've sung. My voice will be very rusty."
"I wanna hear you sing now," Kane said, running a knuckle on Jasmine's cheek.
"Yeah, c'mon, Jazzie," Dylan cheered, clapping his hands in encouragement. The others joined him, and soon there was a chorus of voices chanting "Jasmine".
"Okay, okay, fine," Jasmine relented. "But since this is a party, everyone should have a go."
"Oh, no," came the groans from the men.
"I'm happy to be the first one and then whoever just finished singing would choose the next singer," Jasmine said.
"Okay," the girls said readily, while the guys glanced at each other, looking terrified.
"Don't worry, honey," Kris said to Trey. "I'm not a very good singer either. I'll hold your hand if you like," she teased.
"You can take my place," Trey said with puppy-dog eyes.