August

It was nearing the end of August, and Josie knew it was closing in on a year since she had last been home.

Almost a year since her mother died.

Almost a year since she left Australia for Germany.

Almost a year since she left behind her life and responsibilities. She was lucky her mother’s lawyer was in no hurry to execute her mother’s will without her and that there were no other family members to contest her mother’s final wishes. Emily’s store was sold to Viviane, who had been managing it and was also a friend. The house was sold, and Stella and West had cleaned it out and put everything they thought was important in storage for Josie. It seemed her life back home was no longer hers.

Josie had formally quit her job at the Little Bakery on Little Collins Street. It had been the week after Max had broken up with her. She called Ally Moors at the end of February and told her it was time she moved on. Ally had understood and wished her well.

Besides Stella and West, Melbourne had nothing for her.

Not for six months.

Not since Max had broken up with her.

“Ms Faulkner,” Laz said, getting her attention.

Josie glanced up from her phone and noticed the apology in his eyes. “Everything okay?”

“Traffic up ahead. We might be late picking up Miss Heidi from her ballet class.”

“Do we still need to do the necessary security protocols?”

“Yes.”

Josie sighed. “Of course.” To make sure they weren’t followed by the media or any people of interests, they always took strategic turnoffs when needed. When it was Josie going from point A to point B, security protocols were relaxed. But with Heidi, she wasn’t going to risk it. “I’ll message her, and she’ll get my text when she finishes.”

“Okay.” Laz’s eyes focused on the road.

In her ten months in Germany, Laz had become dear to her. He even taught her the phrases in German that she couldn’t quite get. He’d even been her date to the Australian and German Unity Ball at the Australian Embassy. It was an event hosted by her father, and the chancellor had even made a short appearance. She had asked Laz because it meant she didn’t have to find an actual date. It also meant no unnecessary background checks would be performed.

Josie opened her text messages and found one from Stella. Noticing that she still had time to spare before she had to text Heidi, she read her best friend’s text.

Stella: Don’t hold this against me but I actually miss Berlin. I mean, I miss you, too. But I miss the atmosphere! We’re going to some German festival in the city. That’s how much we miss it. Seeing you in November is too far away.

She let out a small chuckle.

It had surprised both Josie and West when Stella had fallen in love with Berlin back in June. Having her best friend there was what she needed to let out all the emotion and pain she’d buried. Sure, Josie loved her sisters, but they were still too young to understand love and heartbreak. Josie wanted to spare them from it.

But with Stella, she let it all out.

She cried for a full day before Josie stopped the tears and showed Stella and West around Berlin. Josie felt like a tour guide. She had explored the city when she wasn’t studying law, discovering her favourite places in the city. The same places Josie had shown her best friends. It included Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Berlin Cathedral, and Berliner Dom.

The two weeks Stella and West had spent with Josie was a blessing.

Those two weeks were a relief for her heart as she could concentrate on being happy with people who loved her.

Shaking her head, she told herself to concentrate and reply to Stella.

Josie: It’s like three months away. It’ll be snowing towards the end of your trip. We can also fly to Austria if you and West want to.

She got an instant reply.

Stella: WE WANT TO!

Josie then exited out of Stella’s messages and opened her conversation with Heidi.

Josie: Hey, Heids. I’m running a little late. Traffic and the whole security protocol with you. Hang tight. I won’t be too late. Then we can go to the mall and choose a dress for that party you wanted to attend.

Heidi: It’s cool. We’re taking a water break. Can we stay for a minute longer when you get here? Vick wants to meet my ballet inspiration.

Josie’s heart warmed.

She might not have Max’s love anymore.

But she had her sisters’.

And although it would never be enough, it would see her through.

Josie: Sure. I’d like to meet Vick.

“Oh, God,” Josie hissed, holding her side as an aggressive stitch made her breathless. Running was a stupid chore. Even though she was already late, she was running down the hall so she could wipe off some minutes. She pushed through the doors and ran inside. She scanned the studio to find her sister sitting with her legs crossed by the mirrors. “Heids, I’m so sorry.”

Her little sister smiled as she lowered her phone. She was the prettiest ballerina Josie had ever seen. Her blonde hair perfectly smoothed into a bun. And her leotards looked extra pink against her cream skin. Proudness swept through Josie, and she wondered if this was how her mother felt when she had picked her up from ballet class when she was a kid.

Heidi picked up her gym bag and shook her head. “You don’t have to be sorry, Josie.”

“Yeah, I do. I lost track of time going through my research,” Josie explained as she walked over to her and took her bag from her.

“Ready to meet Vick?”

Josie looked past her sister and at her reflection in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed from running, and she was sure she saw a shimmer of sweat on her forehead. It wasn’t the impression she wanted to give her sister’s teacher at all. From experience, women in ballet were judgmental. Josie had a feeling Heidi’s teacher would notice her horrible posture and weak ankles and wonder how she managed to inspire her student. There was nothing much she could do about her outfit of blue skinny jeans and a light blue T-shirt, but she combed her fingers through her hair to get it under control.

“Sure.” Josie sighed.

She wasn’t. But the way Heidi beamed at her with those big brown eyes had her smiling. She’d gone soft. For her sisters, she would meet whoever they wanted her to meet.

“Vick, my sister’s here!” Heidi yelled out proudly.

My sister.

That twinkle in Heidi’s eye should have been a red flag for Josie.

Oh, God. If they make me dance …

Suddenly, the door opposite to them opened, and Josie swung her gaze over to the tall man who walked into the studio. He was wearing grey track pants over his leotards and had a towel around his neck as he ran his fingers through his short blonde hair. He had the body of a dancer. Strong and defined arms. It was remarkable. And then he lifted his chin and his grey eyes found her. She watched him tuck his phone into his pocket as a smile spread across his face. He appeared almost delighted to see her.

“So this is Josie,” the man said.

Josie flinched, surprised at the curiosity in his voice.

“Yep,” Heidi piped once he had stood next to her, staring at Josie.

“Ooooh,” Josie breathed, putting it together. She was a fool. Vick was Heidi’s male teacher. Her sister had left that part out it seemed. “You must be Vick.”

He nodded as he held out his hand. “Vicktor. I am Heidi’s teacher. I must say, I wasn’t expecting to see someone like you to be Heidi’s inspiration to want to dance.” From the softness in his voice, she knew it was a compliment.

She felt her cheeks heat, hating that it did. Against her head and her heart’s wishes, she found him attractive. So opposite to the man who really held her heart.

Six months, Josie, she reminded herself as if to justify why she found him appealing.

Maybe it was his smile.

Or his eyes.

Or that delightful expression.

Or that he’s not Max.

“Someone like me?” she asked, slightly annoyed when she realised she had been silent for too long and Heidi was squinting at her.

“Oh, sorry.” He dropped his hand. “I didn’t mean for you to take that in a bad way. I just never expected Heidi to have a beautiful sister.”

Oh.

He found her attractive, too.

“Well, umm … thank you. It was nice meeting you. Heidi, you ready to go? I gotta get back in time to submit my law assignment.”

Vicktor nodded, understanding glittered in his eyes. “Oh, please, Heidi. I’ve kept your sister back far longer than I should have. It was nice to finally meet you, Josie,” he said. Her name in his German accent had her biting the inside of her cheek.

As attractive as he might be, her heart seemed to guard itself, wanting the man who had broken it to reclaim it.

“And it was nice to meet you,” Josie said as she nodded at Vicktor and urged her little sister to say goodbye to her teacher. Josie hurried her steps, begging her feet to run to the exit.

When she had pushed the door open and stood in the empty hallway, horrible tears rolled down her face as her heart whimpered the one name it shouldn’t.

Max.

Max.

Max.

Max.

It was too bad Max didn’t want her love anymore.