Page 21 of Master of My Heart

“Will be fine. No one will steal anything in here.”

She swallowed, afraid of what he really wanted, and stared at him.

He released her hand and backed away a step. “I have something for you to eat.” His voice was gentle.

“Why?”

“Because you look hungry. Please. You can’t audition on an empty stomach.” He smiled warmly.

Without knowing why, she found herself following him downstairs and into a small room with tables and vending machines.

She paused in the doorway when a guy looked at her coldly and frowned at Jayson. “This room isn’t for audies, Jayson.”

“Relax, Micah. I’m just getting her some breakfast. I don’t think she’s eaten in a while.”

Micah huffed and stormed out of the room.

“I don’t want to get you in trouble... ,” Sabrina protested, watching the guy disappear around a corner.

“Nah. Don’t worry about him. He’s just grumpy this morning. He normally likes pretty girls.” He winked and led her to a table with a bowl of cereal, a banana, a plastic cup of orange juice, and a small container of milk already sitting there. “Come and eat.”

Jayson pulled a chair out for her, then walked around the table and sat down across from it.

Still standing, Sabrina contemplated everything on the table and then glanced back at Jayson, swallowing hard. What would he want in exchange for all this? Men always wanted something from her. Though he didn’t look mean. Maybe he wouldn’t hurt her.

He smiled and opened the milk container, then put it next to the cereal.

Sabrina slowly padded across the room and sat down, settling on the edge of the black plastic chair. She poured the milk onto the cereal and took a few bites. She started out slowly, then shoveled the rest into her mouth.

Jayson’s brows arched. “When’s the last time you ate?”

“I had an apple last night that I bought on the train.” She took a big bite of the banana.

“Train? Where’d you come from?”

“Arizona.” Why was she answering his questions?

His mouth dropped open. “Why didn’t you eat dinner? Or breakfast this morning?”

“I didn’t have any more money. It got stolen on the train.” She drank the orange juice, glancing at him over the edge of the cup. And five dollars wouldn’t have bought her much breakfast at the station.

His warm brown eyes were wide and his lips parted as he watched her eat. She blinked and put the cup down, realizing she wasn’t being very lady-like.

He cleared his throat when their eyes met. “Where’d you sleep last night?”

Sabrina felt her cheeks warm. “At the train station. I didn’t know where else to go.”

“So you’ve been on a train for days, haven’t eaten since yesterday afternoon, and slept in the train station last night?”

It sounded horrible. She put her spoon down and stared at the empty plastic bowl. When had she finished the cereal?

“You must be a very determined dancer,” he said gently.

“I-I’ve always wanted to audition here.” It wasn’t a complete lie. But “I didn’t have anywhere else to go” didn’t seem like a good thing to admit.

Jayson tilted his head. She didn’t think he believed her.

“Thank you for the food. It was very good.” She smiled gratefully, feeling much better as she stood. “I should get back to warming up.”

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