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“Hey, girl,” I whispered, waving back and grinning like we were besties.
I wasn’t just good at being fake nice. I was great at it. Years of experience waiting tables and dealing with rude clients helped me perfect that painted-on smile and pleasant demeanor. It was a talent, really.
And I had to play it up. I wouldn’t cause a scene at the recital.
People filed into the auditorium and took their seats, chatting with one another. The room was packed. Val had mentioned something about the entire company dancing tonight, and to be prepared for this to last a couple hours.
That didn’t bother me. I was just excited to watch the girls. They were the youngest class performing tonight.
“Where is he?” Val sat forward and whipped her head around to look toward the auditorium doors. “It’s going to start soon.”
I glanced at the empty seat between us, then I reached down and slipped my phone out of my bag. I checked the time.
Sean had one minute to get here.
“Traffic was crappy,” Bridgett said. “I’m sure he’s on his way.”
Whoa. Did she just stick up for Sean? I was not expecting that.
I sat forward and gestured across the aisle, getting Bridgett’s attention.
“I don’t know if Val mentioned it, but if you’re looking for a new stylist, your first haircut with me is free. And I’ll give you a discount on color.”
Funny how quickly you could have a change of heart about a person. I wasn’t expecting those words to fly out of my mouth, ever, but anyone who looked out for Sean was good enough to sit in my salon chair.
“She’s the best,” Val chimed in, reaching across the seat and squeezing my arm.
I gave her a warm smile.
“Wow. That’s awesome, thanks!” Bridgett grinned at me. She looked young. I’d guess her age to be around twenty, tops. “I’ll definitely take you up on that.”
“Looking forward to it.”
That wasn’t me being fake nice either. I meant it. I was genuinely anticipating adding Bridgett as a client.
Strippers needed good hair care too.
The lights dimmed, and the room hushed to a silence.
“Shoot,” Val whispered.
I watched her mess with her phone and wondered if she was sending Sean a text. I almost sent one myself, but figured he’d probably be coming on his bike and wouldn’t hear the alert.
I said a silent prayer everything was okay and he’d get here soon.
A spotlight turned on and focused on the stage, then a woman walked out and stood in front of the curtain holding a microphone. She welcomed everyone and spoke about the company for a minute, then she asked the audience to stay in their seats while recording so they wouldn’t distract the dancers.
When she moved off the stage, the curtain lifted, and I smiled as Caroline and Fiona’s class walked out, holding hands. They were all so little and sweet-looking, all big smiles and eyes full of excitement. They stood in a line that stretched across the stage.
Val sat forward and waved, and when the girls spotted us they stood on their toes and waved back, then I watched them search around where we were sitting, frown, and slump back onto their heels.
They were looking for Sean.
I turned in my seat and squinted in the dark, hoping to see him enter, but he didn’t. I was sad for the girls and for him. I knew how badly he wanted to be here.
Where was he?
The music started—a slower piano number—and I spun around and pulled up the video mode on my phone. At least he’d be able to watch it later.
I smiled videoing the girls—they looked seriously freaking adorable in their little tutus as they danced around, twirling and pointing their toes in front of them—and they stood out too, considering the pink in their hair and the way the spotlight hit them.
Val leaned over the seat and whispered what a good idea that was. I couldn’t have agreed more.
The girls were focused and in sync with the rest of their class. They didn’t miss a beat. Then Caroline stepped forward and pointed toward the back of the auditorium, jumping up and down and yelling, “Daddy! Daddy!” in the middle of the number.
Everyone turned in their seats.
“Oh, thank God,” Val exclaimed, taking the words right out of my mouth.
Sean stalked down the aisle with his attention focused solely on his girls. His steps were heavy and purposeful.
Hair down and tucked behind his ears, he was dressed in jeans and a tight dark T-shirt that was showing off his chest in a crazy good way, even in the dim lighting. He grinned at the stage as he moved toward it.
“Daddy! Watch!” Fiona yelled.
Everyone started laughing quietly as Caroline and Fiona dashed to the front of the stage and kept up with the routine, dancing right in front of Sean, who hadn’t even glanced at the seat Val had saved for him. He was too busy focusing on them.
