Page 20 of Single Dad's Second Chance

No, no arguments. Please.“Come with me. I trust your judgment. You can give me a woman’s point of view about the dancers.”

“Maybe sometime…” She shrugged.

“Tonight. After work,” I insisted.

“Tonight?” She opened her eyes wide. “Gosh, that’s a short notice.”

“Oh. Do you already have plans?” I asked, praying she wouldn’t. Already, the idea of spending time with Mia outside of the office—but still sort of participating in a work side mission—made me happy. I didn’t want to consider that she could have other commitments. Of course, she had a life outside the office here, but I didn’t want to think about who mattered in it.

Fuck, I’ve got to watch this possessiveness.

“No. Um, no plans.” She shook her head.

“Then will you come with me?” I asked, looking her straight in the eye.

“Okay. I’ll cave.” She nodded. “I can come give you a woman’s opinion on these wonderful dancers you saw.”

“No. Not plural. I’m sure the dancers were all quality performers, but they fell to the background whenshewas dancing closer.”

8

MIA

Hearing Henry’s praise hit me in the heart. When he said he trusted my judgment, I felt important and wise, valuable and worthy in a manner that went beyond meeting the expectations of my job.

His compliments about my dancing, though…

I bit the inside of my cheek and hid a grin.

He had noticed me at Danger and fell under a spell of watching me dance. Yet, he didn’t know itwasme.

This is going to get so messy.

That evening, after work, I got into his car and rode along to Danger. I intended to do as he asked. I’d offer advice about the dancers if he wanted an honest critique, but I sure as hell wouldn’t be helping him to find, well, me. On the way there, as we listened to a video call with Laura and Jason, I wondered how far Henry might go to look for me. Gina told me that he and Owen wanted to get backstage. They’d given her a card. But what would happen when he didn’t find me there? Would he give up?

It was weird to show up as a guest, not a dancer, and I couldn’t help but want to hide from all the staff. The waitstaff didn’t really know me, but I bet the dancers could figure outI was out here in the audience. They knew what I looked like without the mask I always had to wear for the program.

Henry didn’t let me dwell on any weird feelings, though. Like we always did when we were together, we talked and laughed. We joked and teased. He made it fun, and I expected nothing less.

We got a table, and as we settled in with a drink, I forgot that this was supposed to be about work, that he was here to look for a dancer for the purpose of opening a new club. Instead, I provided my critical observations about the dancers on the stage. I pointed out how Margaret was too fast, sometimes hurrying through beats. He laughed at my remarks about Tyler being too nervous and not natural in their steps.

“You want to look for a balance. A dancer who shows an ease with being on the stage while also being genuinely excited to perform.”

He nodded. “You sure seem to know a lot about this.”

Crap.I didn’t want my knowledge to show. I finished my nonalcoholic drink to stall. “Well, it’s common sense, isn’t it?” I shrugged. “Besides, why areyoulooking for a dancer to hire? Don’t you have reps and scouts and managers who do this?”

“I do. But sometimes, I like to handle parts of the business myself.”

I tensed under his stare. While I looked ahead, at the stage, at my colleagues, I wondered why he wanted to focus on me. If he was here to find a woman he wouldn’t find on the stage…

“What?” I faced him, on edge. His smile was gentle yet curious. I felt proud to earn his intrigue, but depending on what he wanted from me, I had a reason to be wary.

“You seem to be really into this.” He gestured at the stage. “Very observant.”

I smiled. “I pay attention.”

He huffed a light laugh. “You always have.”

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