Ultimate Nyssa Glass by H. Burke (ebook reader browser txt) 📗

student except in one regard: you are impossible to lead. If you can learn to follow, you’ll be a fine dancer.”

“I’m not used to following.”

“This boyfriend of yours, he must not … how do you say it? He is fine being the woman in the relationship, then?” Henri arched an eyebrow.

Nyssa’s ears burned. “Ellis doesn’t need to push me around to prove his masculinity.”

Henri snorted. “Doesn’t need to or doesn’t have the ability to?”

“I think I’ll find another instructor.” She stomped to the door.

“No, don’t be mad—”

Nyssa slammed the door and all but ran from the shop. The receptionist widened her eyes as Nyssa stormed past, but didn’t comment. Out on the street, Nyssa paused to breathe the fresh air. After the warmth of the studio, even the unnaturally warm San Azulan December felt cooling.

This was a stupid, stupid idea. I don’t even know if it is possible for Ellis to dance. What if his chair can’t be modified to that extent? I’m wasting so much time that could be used to get him a real present.

The studio’s door squeaked open behind her. “Please, Miss Nyssa, don’t go like that!”

Not looking back, she picked up her pace. A hand grabbed hers and whirled her about in a disorientating spin. She tripped against Henri’s chest. For a few breaths, she could only gawk up at him, then she wrenched herself away.

“I told you not to do that!”

“Please,” he said. “I didn’t mean to offend.”

“Well, you did.” The trolley stop called to her. Surely Henri wouldn’t follow her onto the trolley.

“You said you had special circumstances,” Henri said. “Perhaps I can work with you on those. There’s not a difficulty in dance that I have yet to overcome, I swear.”

Nyssa stopped and closed her eyes. She turned to examine Henri. His smirk had died, replaced with a slight frown and contrite eyes. Maybe he means it. Maybe he really can help.

“Ellis can’t walk.”

His brow furrowed. “Say again?”

“Ellis, my boyfriend, when he was a young man he was in an automotive accident that left him wheelchair bound. He has a mechanized chair that adjusts so he can stand, and I thought maybe with some modifications—”

Henri slapped his thigh, threw his head back, and roared with laughter. “You’re joking, yes? I’m a dance instructor, not a saint. If you need a miracle, I suggest the local church.”

Nyssa swallowed. “This was a bad idea. Excuse me.” She pivoted on her heel. The trolley rattled towards the stop. Nyssa started to run.

“Oh wait, don’t go,” Henri called after her.

“Go shock yourself!” Nyssa shouted, not caring who heard. She leapt onto the trolley. It was only after it resumed its route that she realized it was headed in the wrong direction. I’ll use the ride to think up a new present for Ellis. There’s no way I’m going back to dance with that man.

Chapter Six

Ellis stooped over a display of gleaming lockets.

“These are all the finest silver,” the clerk explained. “We can have them engraved with your initials, and they can hold photographs, locks of hair, even short love letters.”

“They’re nice.” Ellis pushed his hair back from his forehead. Nyssa deserves better than nice, though.

“What about these?” Theo burst out, leaning against a glass display case.

“Please, if the young man …” The clerk cleared his throat. “Fingerprints?”

“Theo, you can look without touching,” Ellis said.

“Sorry.” Theo stepped back and dropped his gaze. “I just thought these were shiny.”

Ellis steered over to see what Theo had been looking at. A tray of glimmering diamond solitaires twinkled up at him.

“Yes, well, those are engagement rings.” The clerk rubbed a cloth over the outside of the case, buffing out Theo’s offending marks. “Are you in the market?”

The image of himself slipping a ring on Nyssa’s tiny finger made Ellis’s heart quicken. Steady, Ellis. Plenty of time for that. “Not quite yet. I think for now, I’ll just focus on Christmas.”

“Of course. Perhaps if you told me something about the young lady. What are her interests and hobbies? Painting? Embroidery? Music? We have charm bracelets with baubles to represent anything a woman’s heart could desire.”

“Do you have screwdrivers and socket wrenches?” Theo asked.

The clerk stood straighter. “Certainly not. This is a jewelers, not a hardware store.”

Ellis laughed. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to look around a bit. I don’t know precious stones, but I think I know Nyss. I’m sure when the perfect gift presents itself, I’ll just know.”

“Of course.” The clerk gave a slight bow.

“I still think Nyssa would like one of the pretty rings.” Theo leaned against the nearest wall.

“It’s not a bad idea. I kind of want to be the one who picks out my gift … but if you want to choose something small for her, I’ll foot the bill.” Ellis smiled.

Theo brightened.

“Not the engagement rings,” Ellis teased.

Theo grimaced.

So the little imp thinks he can steal my girl. Well, not today, Theo. Chuckling internally, Ellis continued his shopping.

Next to the engagement rings, draped over black velvet, rested several pendant necklaces, some pearl, some gemstone, some gold filigree. Among these necklaces flashed a silver rose. Each petal of the rose was an individual silver leaf, all circling around a pink pearl. Now that’s craftsmanship. Nyssa might appreciate that. Plus a rose is romantic, right? He almost called for the clerk, but decided to look a bit longer.

Ellis wheeled to the window display. This case carried a broad selection of the shop’s wares: rings, bracelets, cufflinks, even a tiara. Nyss would pitch a fit if I got her a crown. He imagined her fitting the tiara over her favorite goggles. A line of ivory curios caught his eye. Those sort of seemed like Nyssa, elegant, but not flashy. Not quite enough though. Maybe the rose pendent was the best.

He looked up over the case and through the window. A dark-haired young woman in a peacoat barreled down the sidewalk on the other side of the street.

Nyss?

She turned her head slightly. Yes, definitely Nyssa. He wondered