GENESIS My heart pounded in my chest as I stared at the ballet studio. Fear prickled across my skin, and I felt what Daisy once called goosebumps ripple through me. “Genesis, look at me,” Kieran said softly, cupping my face in his large hands. “I’m not going to leave. I’ll be right here.” He gave my cheeks a gentle squeeze, making my lips pout, and I stared up at him. My eyes drifted toward the far end of the driveway—that place. The spot where Mark had once tried to take me into his car. The memory was blurry… but still there. “Don’t look over there,” Kieran said quickly, tilting my chin back toward him. “Just look at me. You’re safe. I’ll be in class with you the whole time.” He smiled, and I found myself getting lost in his deep blue eyes. They looked like the ocean—yes, an ocean.

