Page 82 of The Boyfriend Swap

And it was a promise I intended to keep—even if it killed me.

Chapter 22

Robyn

I peeked through the curtain at the audience. It was a full house. My heart walloped furiously. I was terrified my legs would give out when I led the students to the stage in less than twenty minutes. My fear had nothing to do with the concert, despite having less than four weeks to prepare, and everything to do with one particular showgoer. But as far as my eyes could see, Will wasn’t there yet.

I’d left a message on his voicemail telling him the music program had been saved, I couldn’t be happier, and I wished I could thank the person responsible face to face. Then I invited him to the mid-winter concert and said I hoped he’d be there. I didn’t state positively I knew it was his law firm who donated the funds in case I was wrong. And it also gave him an easy out if his employer had nothing to do with it or if he simply had no desire to see me again. He’d never returned my call. Each time my phone rang or pinged the arrival of a text message, I thought I might go into cardiac arrest wondering if it was him. And then my stomach dropped in disappointment when it wasn’t. Tonight was the big night, and I held out hope he’d show up. But I made a promise not to beat myself up if he didn’t. It would only mean he didn’t share my romantic feelings after all, which was something I couldn’t control. And besides, I was used to it—been there, done that.

“Robyn.”

At the sound of Lynn’s voice behind me, I let the red velvet curtain close. I turned to her with a smile and opened my arms. Pulling her into a hug, I inhaled the vanilla and jasmine scent of her perfume. “I’m so glad you could make it. I didn’t give you much notice.”

We separated and Lynn smirked. “My dance card is usually pretty empty mid-week in the middle of the winter. Most of my ancient friends are hibernating in Florida.” She beamed at me. “You look radiant.”

“Thank you so much.” I chose a simple purple fit and flare dress for the occasion, opting not to add “uncomfortable outfit” or “clothing malfunction” to my list of things to worry about. I still hoped Will would think I looked pretty, but considering he’d seen me when I woke up in the morning, I doubted his attraction to me hinged on what I wore.

“You’re always gorgeous, but can I assume some of the brightness in your cheeks is due to the music program not being in jeopardy after all?” Lynn’s eyes lit up.

“You heard?”

She nodded. “Some law firm saved the day. Kensworth and Associates. Maybe one of the student’s parents works there.”

I took a sharp intake of breath. I’d chickened out on investigating the name of the law firm. Part of me was afraid to find out. What if it wasn’t Will? What if it was? I decided to allow the mystery to be solved naturally. But I’d heard him mention the name of his employer a few times over the holidays and was pretty sure it was Kensworth and Associates. He really did it. He was Prince Charming to my Snow White. I glanced down at the Pandora bracelet on my wrist and at the newest charm, courtesy of Will.

Lynn studied me with concern. “Are you all right, Robyn?”

Before I could respond, I saw Aimee Clay approaching me and my worries were temporarily forgotten. Wearing her red hair in an updo with a few curly pieces left out for the “messy” effect, she looked adorable and every part the junior production assistant. Since she’d helped me pick out the songs for the concert and even assisted in stage direction, her role was not in name only. She was trying so hard to make the best of the situation, but I’d caught her gazing longingly at the students during rehearsal a few times. I knew she missed being front and center and still held out hope she’d be able to sing again after her polyps completely healed.

She looked timidly from Lynn to me. “Are we almost ready, Ms. Lane?” Pointing to the rowdy students behind her, she said, “They’re getting restless and won’t listen to me when I tell them to keep their voices down and line up.”

I put a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll see about that.” It occurred to me I’d completely abandoned my duties in favor of scoping out the auditorium for Will and then talking to Lynn. Regardless of whether Will was here and if his appearance meant I could finally kiss him again after ten years, this time without spinning a bottle in his direction, there were more than a hundred people waiting to hear their nine- and ten-year-old daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, granddaughters, and grandsons sing their little hearts out. It was my job to make that happen. I turned to Lynn. “I need to tame the lions. You know how it goes.”

She winked. “I sure do.”

I hugged her again. “I’m sorry we couldn’t talk more, but I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Wouldn’t miss it. Break a leg.”

My pulse raced in a mixture of usual pre-show jitters and renewed anxiety over seeing Will again. “I will.” I only prayed my leg wouldn’t take my heart along for the ride.

The students’ performance of “Rhythm of Life” was flawless, and I was still riding the high when I turned around to face the audience, who were on their feet. My cheeks ached from the smile I couldn’t remove while I waited for the applause to die down so I could announce the intermission. Aimee had already led the students backstage with the help of Lance and the fourth- and fifth-grade teachers. “Thank you,” I said into the microphone over the clapping. “Thank you so much.”

After a few moments, everyone took their seats. “I’m so glad you’re enjoying the concert so far.” Since I faced the students while conducting the songs, I hadn’t had an opportunity to look for Will. At first, I was very conscious of the possibility he was there and watching me, but I quickly got lost in the music. But now, I allowed my eyes to sweep the crowd while I spoke. “The students worked diligently to learn all the songs in a very short amount of time and I’m so proud of them. Although this is the only school I’ve worked at, I can’t imagine another one with more talented, hardworking, enthusiastic children than the ones here, and their passion for music warms my…” My pulse raced as my eyes locked on Will sitting third row center.He came. He smiled at me and my quivering lips curled up in response. My next words escaped me and I struggled to remember where I’d left off. Oh, yeah. “Their passion for music warms my heart.” I paused. “Which brings me to another subject. We are so very lucky to have music education as part of our curriculum. And I’m not just saying that because I’m the music teacher.” The audience chuckled, and I giggled with them before continuing. “Music education is not a given in many schools across the country, and I’m so very grateful to be able to help provide it to your children.” I focused my attention on Will. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

As the audience clapped, my eyes remained fixed on Will. He winked at me and my knees wobbled. I cleared my throat. “We’ll be back for another few songs in fifteen minutes. Take the time to snack on one of the delicious desserts available from the bake sale going on next door. All proceeds go toward the athletic program.” I placed the microphone back on the stand. “Thank you,” I said one more time before heading backstage.

The other teachers always covered for me during the majority of the intermission to give me a short break, but I would catch up with them as soon as I caught my breath. I kneeled behind a chair, put my head between my legs, and breathed in and out. I smelled him, rich lavender combined with cocoa—masculine but clean—before I heard his voice.

“You all right, Snow?”

I brushed my long hair out of my eyes and looked up at him. He was standing over me with his brows furrowed in concern. “Um, yeah. Just taking a breather.” I swallowed hard and slowly raised myself to a standing position. “Hi, Will.” I cursed my voice for shaking like someone was pounding on my back while I spoke. Even though I’d pictured his face every night as I settled into bed (and nearly all day), I’d forgotten the small details, like the sprinkling of light brown freckles around the bridge of his nose. I wondered how many there were, but figured it wasn’t a good time to count.

His eyes danced merrily. “Hi back at you. Security is pretty weak here. I managed to sneak backstage. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. I’m glad you made it.” I smoothed out my dress.

“So am I. The concert is great so far.”

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