CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Cara
“Cara, showtime,” a stagehand stuck her head in my dressing room to let me know.
“Thanks,” I said, taking one last look at myself before heading out.
I watched as some dancers, including Nora, made their entrances onstage. I waited for my cue. I bounced on my toes and shook my arms out trying to release some of my nervous energy, as was normal for my pre-show routine.
Finally, it was time. I danced to the very best of my ability, knowing Edward was out there. I caught his eye a couple of times, briefly. I could tell my smile was less ‘showy’ and was more sincere tonight. I danced my heart out, leaving everything, all my emotions, on the stage.
Afterwards, there were a few encores, and several people threw flowers onto the stage.
I headed back to my dressing room after picking up the flowers.
There were several bouquets of flowers waiting for me there, which was normal.
Guys, mainly men a good decade older than me, often asked me out.
It was like that for many of the dancers.
I had gone out with a few over the years, but I hadn’t been interested in any of them.
I picked up the cards, hoping one was from Edward.
The first one made me shudder, especially after the events of the past twenty-four hours.
Dearest Cara,
You always shine like the star you are.
Love, Monty
I was disappointed. And when had he started signing his cards ‘love’?
A flicker of something almost like fear ran through me.
Edward thought Monty was in love with me.
Both he and Kelisha had heard Garrison and Libby Hart telling people Monty and I were a sure thing.
Olivia said to watch out for him. He was sending me flowers regularly now.
I bit my lip. I had to handle this the right way or risk angering the Harts… and possibly hurting or even ruining my friendship with Nora.
Could I go to Nora about this? Would she help me smooth things over with her family without hurting anyone’s feelings?
There was a knock at my door. “Come in,” I called, glad to have something else to think about.
A stagehand peeked her head around the corner of my door. “There’s a man here to see you.”
“What’s his name?” I whispered, afraid it was Monty.
She stuck her head in the hallway, and I could hear her speaking with someone. Then she was back. “Edward Ashton,” she said, then smiled, mouthing the words, “He’s hot!” at me, and making me grin.
“He can come in,” I said.
“You’d better say that, or I’d think you needed to get your head examined.” She winked at me. “Have fun, girl.”
Edward came through the door, looking huge in my small dressing room. He was holding a massive bouquet of roses. I was seated at the well-lit vanity, in the process of taking off my stage makeup, but I stood up to go over and greet him.
“Oh, that’s so sweet,” I said, taking the flowers from him and smelling their familiar scent. “Roses are my favorite. I know it’s a cliché, but I can’t help it.”
“I’m glad you like them,” he said, bending down to give me a kiss on the cheek. “I see other people had the same idea.” He nodded to the other bouquets in the room.
“Yes. It’s a thing,” I said, trying to downplay it.
“I bet,” he gave me a rueful half smile. “You’re so damn gorgeous up there. I’d be surprised if half the male population of Charleston hasn’t asked you out by now.”
I laughed the comment off. There was no need to confirm I got asked out a lot. I didn’t want to go into any explanations of dates I’d been on in the past. I didn’t want to hear about his; I was sure he didn’t want to hear about mine, either.
“Who are those from?” he gestured to the enormous bouquet from Monty.
“They’re from Monty.” I said, trying not to let the stress I was feeling show on my face. “Did you run into any of the Harts tonight?”
His face darkened when I admitted the bouquet came from Monty, but he shook his head. “No, thank goodness.”
We looked at each other awkwardly for a moment. “Well,” I finally said. “Have a seat. This will take me a little while. Then, if you don’t mind, you could come over to my place while I get ready for dinner. Sorry it’s such a process.”
“It’s great,” he said, perching on the small couch in my dressing room and talking to me as I got ready to leave for the night. “I’m just glad to be around you.”
I tried not to melt at the sweet words. But I couldn’t hide a pleased smile. I worked diligently to rid myself of all traces of stage makeup. Finally, I was ready. I’d already changed back into my practice gear before he’d come in. “Okay, are you ready?” I smiled at him.
“Definitely,” he said, offering me his arm. “I made reservations for us at the hotel restaurant. I know it might not be the best restaurant in town, but I knew it would be open late…”
“That sounds perfect,” I said, tucking my arm through his and leaning in close to him as we exited the building. I directed him around to a back way where we were unlikely to come across any members of the Hart family on our way to the parking lot.
I sighed with relief when we made it to his car without being stopped by anyone.
We chatted easily on the way to my townhouse.
“You were amazing tonight. I can’t even tell you how much I loved watching you.” His eyes were dark as they roved over my body. A blaze of heat went through me. I could feel his gaze like a touch.
“Thanks,” I said softly. “It was… nice knowing you were in the audience,” I said before getting out of his car.
I waved at my nosy neighbor, Mrs. Rivera, as Edward and I walked up the steps together.
She gawked at him, but he seemed to take it in stride.
He kept his hand at the small of my back all the way up the stairs.
I could feel the heat of him behind me as I unlocked the door, and we made our way inside.
“Sorry about my neighbor. Mrs. Rivera knows the comings and goings of everyone on the block, and she loves talking about everything with a couple of other ladies who live on this street. She’s nice, though, and I guess I shouldn’t complain.
If anyone ever tries to hurt me, she’d be the first to call the police.
And she brings me a couple of churros whenever she makes them. ”
He chuckled. “I’m glad you have people looking out for you.”
“This is it,” I said with a smile, doing a little twirl around my living room, excited to show him my place. “Just make yourself at home while I get ready. I’ll try not to take too long.”
“I don’t mind waiting.” He walked around looking at my things. He had rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, showing off muscular forearms that I was trying not to notice. “This is a great place.”
“Thanks. I love it, but I know I’m biased. Help yourself to anything in the fridge, though I don’t have much that you’d like. It’s dancer food. All healthy stuff.”
“You know I don’t mind fruit,” he grinned at me and winked.
Heat hit me low in my abdomen. God. I was still so attracted to him.
I took a shower, washed and dried my hair, applied makeup, and got dressed as quickly as I could.
I chose a simple black wrap dress that made my boobs look amazing, and a pair of black heels that made me about three inches taller.
I paired my outfit with my favorite diamond jewelry and stood back to look.
I was as ready as I was going to be. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.
When I walked out, ready to go, I found him looking at framed photos I had sitting around.
“Hey,” I said coming up behind him. “Are you ready? I hope I didn’t keep you too long.”
He almost dropped the picture he was holding when he saw me. “Wow. You look amazing.”
I lurched forward to grab the picture from him when he tried to put it down without looking. He was going to drop it on the floor.
“Oh, sorry,” he apologized. “It’s just you’re so…” he trailed off before he shrugged and said, “‘beautiful’ doesn’t seem to be a strong enough adjective.”
I placed the picture back down where it went, leaning over a bit to do it. I caught him staring at my cleavage as I stood back up. His eyes lingered there for a moment, then jerked back up to mine. He knew I’d seen him. I gave him a knowing smile, and he flushed.
He pointed to the pictures. “You have so many with the Whittaker family, too,” he said.
“Of course. You know they feel as much like siblings to me as my own do.”
“Really? You never ever had a thing for Declan or Aidan? Or Callum?”
I laughed, hard. “Not at all. I can’t say the same for everyone, though.
Aidan tries to hide it, but everyone except Livy thinks he has feelings for her.
You’re sworn to secrecy about that. I’m sure you’re still tight with Lufton.
He and Livy are all over each other whenever he’s around, but when he’s gone?
” I shook my head. “Livy and Aidan spend a lot of time together. I think she thinks of him as a best friend, kind of like I do with Declan. But his feelings seem more complicated. That’s all I’ll say. ”
“My lips are sealed. Even though I’m pretty sure Lufton knows there’s something between Livy and Aidan. He can’t tell what it is, and I think it drives him nuts. He’d love to be serious about her. There’s not much he can do, though, since he and Livy are both so busy.”
“Yeah—I think if the two of them ever settle in the same place long enough, they’ll end up together. But who knows if that’ll happen?” I noticed Edward looked uncomfortable. I bet he had some insight on Lufton and Livy, but I wouldn’t ask. I’d listen if he offered up anything, though.
“Lufton’s traveling all over the world learning the ins and outs of his family’s hotel business,” Edward said unnecessarily.
Even though Edward hadn’t been around over the past six years, Lufton had.
I’m sure I didn’t know even half of what Edward did about Lufton’s comings and goings, but I knew enough.
I nodded.