Page 20 of Georgia On My Mind (Southern Promises)

“You do?”

“Yes.”

He took a step forward, filling the space between them, and cupped her face with his hands. “Your wish is granted,” he whispered with a reserved smile, his expression playful as he slowly leaned down and covered her mouth with his.

Gia wrapped her arms around his sturdy frame and welcomed him in. She felt as though she was spinning and twirling among the clouds in the sky. A male voice cleared his throat, startling the two of them out of their embrace.

“Ethan! You scared me!” She quickly stepped back from Hart. “How long have you been in here?”

“Long enough,” he answered, grinning largely. “Who’s your friend?”

Gia was aware her face and neck were on fire, her skin probably an embarrassing color of a ripe tomato.

“I’m Hart. Nice to meet you, Ethan.”

The two men shook hands.

“Likewise. I’m one of the instructors here at the studio.”

By this time, Gia had gathered her wits and stood tall next to Hart, pushing her hair over her ear. “Ethan teaches the four o’clock tap class. He’s amazing.”

“Thanks, Gia.” He eyed Hart. “You look like you could be a tapper. Ever tried?”

Hart seemed taken aback. “Who? Me? No way. My version of dancing is the white man over-bite.” He moved his head to an imaginary beat while biting his lower lip, making Ethan laugh out loud.

“That’s funny, man. I’m gonna remember that.” He shifted the black tap shoes in his arms. “Gia, may I have a word with you in the breakroom before class starts?”

“Sure.” She turned to Hart, lightly touching his hand with her fingers. “I’ll be right back.”

“Okay. Nice to meet you, Ethan.”

“You too, man.”

By the time they got into the breakroom, Gia was pursing her lips to keep from smiling, well aware that Ethan was on her tail.

“Good, god! Where did you meet him?” Ethan had always been an openly gay man. He was uber-talented and often sought after by the local equity theaters to choreograph shows. His love life was an open book, the two of them often commiserating about their horrific dating lives, cheering each other on to ultimately finding true love.

She poked her head around the corner to make sure Hart was out of earshot. “Shhh. Keep your voice down. He can hear us.”

“Seriously, Gia. When did you start dating someone? I’ve known you forever, and you haven’t told me anything about this guy. Where’d you meet?”

She pulled him by the arm closer to the back of the room and spoke quietly. “I met him on one of my Marilyn gigs a couple of days ago.”

“Oh, boy. Did he come on to you after your little strip-tease act?”

“No. Nothing like that. Hart saved me from the scumbag manager who made a pass at me. Hart is quite gallant; a true Southern gentleman.”

Ethan’s face softened. “Kind of like that Prince Charming sticker I saw on his shirt, huh? As long as he’s good to you, that’s all that matters. You deserve a good guy, Gia. What a great surprise walking in on you sucking his face.”

“Ethan!” She giggled. She watched him pull out a chair and take his regular shoes off to put on his tap shoes.

“Has he got any friends?”

Gia laughed. “I don’t know. I guess I could ask.”

“Cool. You got a check for me?”

His question caught her off guard making her pause. “I’ll have it this weekend, I promise.”

---