Kiss Me, Dancer (18 page)

“I’d do it, but Drew’s taking me to the Plaza tonight. Can you believe it? As soon as he heard I’d never been there he got on his mobile and made a reservation. And tomorrow when we get back we’re taking his son to a Shinnecock Indian Nation Powow. It’s the first time he’s asked me to join him with Josh. Which means Drew told the boy we’re dating. I think that’s a big step.”

“Whoa. Must mean you’re moving into serious territory.”

Casey giggled and did a little jig as she carried a tray to the oversized refrigerator.

Natalie hurried out to the front, but the next time she returned she brought a plate of scrambled eggs, scones and a pot of coffee. “Leave the rest, Casey. Time to eat. Don’t want you facing all those pint-sized ballerinas on an empty stomach.”

“Wow. You didn’t have to do that.”

“No biggie. It’ll give me an excuse to sit down a few minutes. Grab two cups.” She nodded toward her office and Casey followed her.

“So, Nat, how did you get booked for this big party? Where is it?”

“It’s a referral from the one I did in the South Fork a couple weeks ago. Exactly the kind of customers I’m after. A lady with a huge budget ceiling giving a party for her daughter at their posh digs in East Hampton.”

“Things are definitely heating up for you, girl.” Casey broke off a piece of chocolate chip scone and dunked it in her coffee.

“Look who’s talking. I’m still reeling over you getting a Facebook message from Taz Ravage.”

Casey smirked. “I’m probably just on some list with his groupies.”

“But you said it looked like an invitation to a private party.”

“It did, but I know his vineyard is open to the public on Sundays. Doesn’t matter anyway, because I’ll be with Drew tomorrow.” Heat surged through her body every time she thought of him. But lately that was coupled with a glow that warmed a place in her heart that Drew had touched in a way no other man ever had.

***

Casey taught her full schedule of back-to-back Saturday classes. After the last class she rehearsed her select group, the five girls and three boys who made up her Cove Corps that would be competing on
Got Moves
.

“And five, and six, and now, Paige, go! Good, Krissy. Sam and Emma, you’re losing the beat. Brendan and Josh, get ready for your entrance.”

Casey bounced around, calling out prompts and corrections, thrilled at the heightened energy in the room. Her kids always had plenty, but knowing they’d be doing this dance on TV definitely upped the adrenaline.

As she watched Josh go into his solo, Casey got caught up in how much he resembled Drew. Most people wouldn’t notice it. But she’d been looking at Drew up close so much lately she saw things others might not. Like the way the ends of his mouth turned up slightly even when he wasn’t actually smiling. The heavily lashed eyes. The kid even had cute little sailor hips like his dad’s.

Would this shy boy turn into a lady-killer like his illustrious father? Or would someone have to help him face his fear of girls? Casey pictured herself as a possible second mother to Josh. Maybe even having a little half-brother or half-sister of his with Drew.

What am I doing? Cool your jets, girl!
She’d only known Drew a big three and a half weeks. No, three and three quarter. Still too soon to be in love with him.

But…was she?

The truth sent her psyche soaring to opposite poles of euphoria and fear.

Casey pulled her mind back to the dance and forced herself to focus on clapping out the metered rhythm of the music, grounding herself in the physicality of the movement.

After the rehearsal as her students dispersed, Casey smiled at Josh and said, “Your solo is looking brilliant. It deserves to be seen on TV.”

He stared at the floor. “Thanks, Miss Casey. I won’t let you down.”

“You never let me down, Josh. You’re one of my best students.”

He answered with a shrug, his cheeks turning pink.

When it was clear Josh wasn’t going to speak, Casey said, “I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”

Josh looked up. “We have rehearsal tomorrow?”

“No. I mean at the Shinnecock Powwow.”

“Yeah, right.” A sarcastic whine in his voice. “Too bad we’re not going.”

“But…”

“My Dad cancelled. Didn’t you know?”

“Cancelled?”

“Hey, it’s nothing new. He always does that to me.”

Casey read years of disappointment in the grim line of his mouth. She knew Drew was trying to mend things with his son and tried to think of something to say that would help. But all she could come up with was, “Well, he runs an awfully large business and sometimes—”

“That’s not it. Dad’s selfish. You’ll see. He’ll do it to you, too.” With that, Josh turned and marched to the dressing room.

Giving Casey a dose of reality testing that challenged her romantic fantasy of mothering him. And judging from how she just handled this exchange she figured she’d probably end up adding that to her list of failures.

Casey headed upstairs, knowing Drew’s ex-wife would be picking Josh up today. Being unsure of what Heather had heard about Drew and herself, she figured it would be best to avoid the awkwardness of seeing her yet. “Call me if you need anything, Lisa,” she told her intern at the desk. “I’ll be back to close up in a half hour.”

In the privacy of her living room Casey checked her mobile. Seeing a text from Drew that read, “Call me,” rather than his usual voice-mail added to the uneasy feeling seeping in after Josh’s news.

Drew picked up right away. “Casey. I’m really sorry about this, but I’ve got to bow out this weekend. Some important business came up that can’t wait.”

“I understand,” Casey said, reminding herself Drew was a busy man with a lot of responsibilities, just as she’d told his son. “But I feel bad for Josh about the Shinnecock Powwow.”

“Yeah, I know. Me, too. Listen, this business will take me out of town for a week, so why don’t you go without me to look at those two buildings Karl mentioned. Just call him. You’ve got his card, right?”

She fought against a sinking feeling that told her Drew was trying to end their love affair without shirking his agreement around the studio. “But you’re the buyer. I know so little about real estate I couldn’t possibly—”

“If you see something good, Karl will let me know the specs. It’s August already. We should keep this thing moving if you want to open your academy sometime in the fall.”

Drew’s concern for her studio eased her paranoia somewhat. “Okay. I’ll keep looking with Karl.” She wanted to ask Drew to call her while he was away, but she didn’t want to sound needy. And judging by the fact that he’d been calling her and showing up on her doorstep every single day without fail, Casey doubted she’d have to wait too long to hear from him. “So, um, where will you be this week?”

A short silence. “Nowhere interesting. Look, I can’t talk now. I’m sorry about tonight.”

“Don’t worry. I’m fine.” Casey tried to make her voice sound level, adult, understanding and most of all independent. But it was Drew’s voice that troubled her. He seemed brusque, opaque, closed off. Not like the man she’d come to know so intimately.

Josh’s angry, accusing expression surfaced in her mind. And Casey wondered how well she really did know Drew Byrne.

Chapter Nineteen

Drew steered his Porsche along East Hampton’s legendary Further Lane. He turned into an open wrought iron gate between tall hedgerows and coasted down a long drive to the palatial white-columned house of Harry Von Alston. A man at the door ushered Drew and his father through the broad foyer, its black-and-white tiled floor, sweeping staircase and pseudo-Greek statues gleaming.

He’d spent most of the day at the hospital with his dad, who agreed to take his meds and drink ginger ale — at least for a few days. Drew had to admire the way his father walked beside him with his chest out, shoulders back, when he’d probably rather be lying down right now. No way would that man ever let a business associate see him as anything less than the dynamic head of Byrne Trucking.

“There you are!” Julia Von Alston reached out for Drew and brushed air kisses on either cheek. Pharmaceutically thin in her strapless, ankle length sheath, she stood closer than was comfortable for Drew, her hands squeezing his biceps. She glanced at Andrew Sr. saying, “Your boy just gets sexier every time I see him. Grrr.”

Drew forced out a greeting that apparently wasn’t enthusiastic enough for his father, who shot him a critical glance and said to Julia, “You’re looking pretty hot yourself. Isn’t she amazing, Drew?”

“Sure is. Bet people think your Amber’s sister.”

Julia tucked her chin like a shy girl and smiled. Her hands, still wrapped on Drew’s biceps, slid down his arms. She took his hand and said, “Come on. Amber’s out back with her friends. I’ll bet you’ve missed her terribly.”

Missed her?
They’d broken up six months ago. And even then it was more of an exchange than a relationship. His stint on that reality show had just aired, and Amber liked having him on her arm to impress her friends. In exchange he’d gotten some pretty good sex.

At least he’d thought so at the time. But that was before Casey. Sex with Casey was unlike anything he’d ever known. He sometimes felt like she was rearranging his soul. She touched some part of him he couldn’t figure out, something he’d forgotten was there.

Julia tugged Drew down the crowded hallway toward sliding glass doors. Still worried about his dad, he glanced back and was relieved to see him following with Harry.

“We’re looking forward to our stay at Amberland,” Drew said, wanting to come through for his dad and the company.

She beamed at the mention of her beloved horse farm. “You’ll be flying up there with us in Harry’s Cessna. I have so many things planned. And I know how you love the racetrack. One of Harry’s thoroughbreds will be in the Travers this year.”

They stepped out onto a stone porch that overlooked a swimming pool and a broad, green lawn dotted with more of those white statues. Fresh salt air wafted in from the Atlantic a few hundred yards beyond. A live band played vintage rock. Servers in black pants and bowties carried trays of hors d’oeuvres.

Drew figured he saw a hundred people or more, many of them Amber’s friends he’d met back when they were an item. Greetings, high fives and playful kisses came his way as Julia guided him through a group of people who were all laughing and applauding. He wasn’t at all surprised to find Amber in the center of the crowd lapping it up. She buzzed around in a little circle in a toy electric car, waving her glass of champagne. He’d met a lot of attention addicts, but Amber was one of the worst with a need to be in the spotlight at all times.

So different from Casey, who didn’t seem to know how beautiful she was. And when he’d called her to cancel their date at the Plaza it was as if she just understood there was something he had to do. She didn’t whine or nag or dump any guilt on him like other women did. She never acted like she was the center of the universe like some —

“Drew? Did you hear what I said?”

“Oh, sorry, Julia. Guess I kind of got distracted.”

“Don’t apologize.” She leaned close. “I know how mesmerizing my daughter can be. I think it’s sweet.”

Good thing he’d been staring at Amber. He tilted his head and grinned, a response vague enough to allow Julia to make of it what she would.

Amber saw him and squealed. “Bunny butt!”

Drew cringed inside. He’d told Amber how much he hated that stupid nickname she made up.
Dad, you owe me for this big time
.

“Hop on!” She waved him over.

“Nah.”

“Oh, come on.”

“It’ll never hold two.”

“Foo-eey. I only weigh a buck four. Get over here.”

“This is a bad idea, Amber.” Drew stepped into the circle and straddled the tiny red sports car, squatting down behind her. A clunky fit for his large frame.

Amber cooed and said, “Here we go, everybody.”

They rolled forward about three feet when a popping sound came from inside the toy car’s electric battery pack. A pungent smell filled the air, and the car sat motionless. Their audience reacted with a spontaneous, “Awwww.”

“Oh, poop.” Amber pouted. But then she shrugged and stepped out of the car. “Daddy’s buying me a real one, anyways. Come on, Bunny butt. Let’s get some more champagne.”

Her arm slid around his waist, and Drew wrapped his over her shoulders. He had to admit she looked hot in a yellow dress that was so tight he could see the crack in her butt. And her cantaloupe-sized breasts looked about ready to burst out of the low cut front.

Amber snatched a bite-sized morsel off a tray and fed it to him.

“Hey, that’s good.” Drew took a couple more.

“Peach and fromage. And that’s pineapple and lychee. My mom found a terrific caterer.”

He’d barely finished chewing when Amber stretched her arms around his neck and drove her tongue into his mouth, pressing her breasts against him. And being a red-blooded male, he didn’t give a hoot that they were enhanced by a surgeon or that everybody was watching the two of them. Amber knew how to kiss. In fact, she was ideal porn star material. Not an ounce of depth, but plenty of fun.

But as he kissed and teased and flirted with Amber, putting on a show for her guests, her parents and his dad, Drew realized that something inside him had changed. What women like Amber had to offer just plain didn’t interest him anymore.

Right now all Drew really wanted was to be with Casey.

***

“Thanks for helping me get all the trays set up, Casey. I guess you can grab one and join the other servers now.”

“Will do, Nat.” Casey neatened her ponytail. She was dressed in slim black trousers and white Oxford shirt, plus the short black vest and bowtie Natalie supplied to all her servers. “What room do you want me in?”

“I think most of the guests have moseyed to the back yard. Just follow the center hallway.”

She picked up a tray and left the kitchen.

Aside from wanting to help out a friend and earn some cash, Casey had decided to work for Natalie tonight to get her mind off Drew. But as she walked through the house toward the back, catching glimpses of rooms that appeared straight out of a
Town & Country Magazine
spread, she couldn’t help wondering what Drew’s house would look like. And if he had an office at home where he was working away tonight. Or maybe he was in a boardroom hashing out some business problem.