Thank you all so much for the kind reviews! They truly appreciate the encouragement. I'm so glad you liked the first chapter. I hope I don't disappoint going forward.
Again, thank you to IReadAndWriteSometimes for the beta. All mistakes are still my own.
CHAPTER TWO
The ballet had just ended and Andy was waiting in the lobby for Nicole and Dean to get the boys from the back. He actually enjoyed the show, and not merely due to the fact that his grandsons had a part in it. The whole production was astounding. He was thinking about this when he caught sight of her. It was her auburn hair that had drawn his attention as she was making her way through the crowd. He noted the moment she caught sight of him as well. A huge smile spread across her face and she changed direction to head towards him. He would be lying if that smile and the fact that she was headed his way didn't cause an increase in his heart rate. No matter how hard he tried, he was unsuccessful in getting her out of his mind. He even went as far as to look up her gallery's website. It was there that he had come across her name.
When she stopped in front of him, he just continued grinning stupidly at her. He realized he could've met her halfway when she began making her way toward him. Instead he just stood there grinning like a fool. It was as he internally berated himself that she broke the silence. "Hello, stranger."
"Hello. It's very good to see you again." And it really was. She looked breathtaking. Her hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders and the dress she wore accentuated her frame nicely. It was conservative lace piece with three-quarter sleeves and a high neckline, but he really couldn't find fault in it. She clearly had great style.
"I'm Sharon. Sharon Raydor." She held her hand out to properly introduce herself.
It was on the tip of his tongue to say, 'I know,' but he realized he would have to explain that he looked her up and that may make him sound like a stalker. So he responded with a simple, "Andy Flynn," when he grasped her hand. He liked the feel of her hand in his and was reluctant to let go. He really needed to get a grip. He was seriously thinking and acting like a first-rate creeper.
"I'm sorry. I should've introduced myself properly at the dance studio last week, but I was being dragged out the door. My grandsons may be little, but they are vicious when they're hungry. I was in fear from my life you see."
She almost snorted when she laughed, but was able to maintain it. "It's okay. I remember what they're like at that age. I can't say my grown daughter is any better. She practically tackled me for the take-out. She might be slight in build, but she's more reminiscent of a linebacker than a ballerina when food is involved. Especially after a full day of dancing."
Andy threw his head back in laughter. She really had a good sense of humor and it seemed she knew football. He idly wondered if she enjoyed baseball as well. "I imagine she can work up quite the appetite. Emily danced beautifully tonight by the way. I would say the highlight of the show, but I may be slightly biased in favoring two young boys with significantly smaller parts."
She shrugged one shoulder. "That's okay, I forgive you. I have no problem saying, in my completely unbiased opinion, that she was my favorite part of the show."
Andy chuckled. "Just how many times have you seen the Nutcracker during her career as a dancer? This was only my first, but the boys are already talked about next year's production." He shook his head in bewilderment. "There are still shows to perform this season."
"More times than I would like to admit." She rolled her eyes, before adding more seriously, "I can honestly say that I never get tired of it. I love seeing her dance. This was the first time she had the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy, though."
"I can tell you she's the best Sugar Plum Fairy I've ever seen, " he said confidently before adding, "but that doesn't mean much since this is the first time I've ever seen the Nutcracker. Do you attend every show, or just the one?"
"When she was younger, every single one. Then she went off to school and New York for a few years after, and I didn't get to see as many. I would make it to at least one show of each production. This is the first production she has been in since she moved back. Besides the opening tonight, I may watch her again closing night." She shrugged a single shoulder, "We'll see."
"She truly was exceptional. You should be very proud." She beamed at his compliment. She clearly adored her children. "Jake has told me many times that she's really good, but I wasn't sure if that was his little infatuation talking, or his not-so-professional opinion," He joked.
Sharon giggled. "Emily mentioned that he has been quite the flirt. He will be severely disappointed to know she has been dating the Cavalier."
Andy pretended to pout, "That's a shame. His first real crush, and there's another man. Well, I won't be the one to tell him. I don't have it in me to break his heart."
"That's very sweet of you." She leaned in closer as if she was telling him a secret, "If it helps, I'm not sure it's deemed to last. I think this may be a matter of proximity. They have spent many hours together during practice. When the show is over... well, who's to say?"
He nodded in understanding. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but really the strongest connections were built between those who spend time together.
"I must say, Andy, I was quite fond of your chef's pants, but you do clean up quite nicely," she said teasingly. She had been trying to discreetly admire him as they talked. He really could wear a suit. She caught a glimpse of suspenders when he shifted to let someone pass. She typically wasn't a fan of the suspenders look, but was surprised to discover it only increased her attraction to him.
"Um, thank you." It was his turn to blush. He nervously ran his hand on the back of his head. "I didn't want to embarrass my family, so I thought I should upgrade the pants a bit...and the shirt...and jacket." He wasn't sure, but it seemed that she was flirting with him. Which was surprising because he was under the impression she was married. As if on cue, a man came up and laid his hand on her shoulder.
"Sharon. You were supposed to meet me outside the restrooms. I want to go congratulate our girl. What's taking you so long?" Andy felt himself deflate. This must be the husband he thought. He mentioned their girl. Then the man realized she was in the middle of a conversation. He turned to Andy and his eyebrows lifted. "Why, hello, Silver Fox."
Sharon glared at him. There was a clear warning in her tone. "Gavin. Behave. I will tell Michael."
"Psh. Some friend you are. No harm in just admiring." He waved his hand in Andy's generally direction before adding, "Besides, I'm clearly not the one he's interested in," which earned him an even more deathly glare from her.
She then turned to Andy with a small smile. "I'm won't bother apologizing for his behavior because there is no explaining him. I question daily why I even keep him around. Andy, this is my friend Gavin Baker. Gavin, this is Andy Flynn."
"Don't let her fool you. She adores me. Which is why I let her keep me around. It's a real pleasure to meet you." He looked at Andy like he wanted to devour him. "So how do you two know each other?" Gavin gestured between the two.
Andy just stood there staring at the man. He was a flamboyant character that's for sure. Clearly not her husband. He didn't know whether to be flattered that the man was hitting on him, or hopeful that it seemed less likely Sharon was married. After all, if there was a husband in the picture, why did she come with this Gavin guy? "Friend? So you're not her..." He caught himself before he could finish. Even though she seemed interested, Andy didn't want to make any assumptions. She did glare at her friend for pointing out Andy's own interest in her. He cleared his throat and hoped that the heat he could feel in his cheeks wasn't too obvious before he continued. "Um, Emily gives dance lessons to my grandsons. We met at the studio."
Gavin completely disregarded the latter part of the man's answer and honed in on the question Andy obviously was about to ask. "I'm not her what? Her husband? Boyfriend? Oh so better half? She would only be so lucky to have snagged me. I'm going to ignore the fact that you mistook me for the miserable louse she has for an ex. No dear, our beautiful Sharon here is single."
Andy only allowed himself to be slightly excited by the fortunate news. The daggers she was shooting in the other man's direction notably dampened the happiness he felt. He must have been misreading signals. The attraction he felt for her caused him to misinterpret her friendliness for flirting.
"Okay!" She clapped her hands together; effectively ending the direction the conversation was clearly headed. "Gavin, weren't we on our way to see Emily?" The death glare she was giving Gavin transformed to an anxious one when she addressed Andy. "I'm sorry Andy, we really must go."
He tried to not be hurt by the panic in her eyes and her eagerness to escape. "Of course. I'm sorry to have kept you. I see my daughter anyways. I must go, too." He couldn't even look her in the eye as he said goodbye. "It was a pleasure seeing you again, Sharon." He gave Gavin a curt nod, "It was nice meeting you." He quickly turned and headed toward the direction he had seen his family.
Gavin put on his best pouty face. "I think you hurt his feelings." He then narrowed his eyes at her. "Honestly, Sharon, what's so bad about the guy knowing you're divorced? He was clearly attracted to you, and as a bonus, he's really nice to look at."
She let out a deep sigh that almost turned into a groan. "Please don't. I already feel horrible enough. I just don't appreciate you telling my personal business to random people." She didn't know why she acted so violently to Gavin opening his big mouth. Anyone that knew her, knew she was separated a long time before she was finally divorced.
Gavin gave her a huge eye roll. "He's not that random. You know him."
"Not very well. Tonight was only the second time I had seen him." She threw her hands up in exasperation.
The look he gave her conveyed just how absurd he thought she was being. "So? There could be a third, fourth, and fifth time! It's not like you being single is a state secret. Gavin gave her a knowing smirk, "Besides, he's not the only one who is interested. You forget how well I know you. You don't smile like that at just anyone."
"Let's just drop it, okay? I'm pretty sure my reaction has changed his mind." She tried to shake off the bad mood she was finding herself in. Why was it such a big deal for Andy to know she was divorced? Gavin was right; she was very attracted to Andy. She wanted to get to know him more. That was the problem though. She had dated a few men over the year, but she hadn't been this interested in knowing someone in a long time. It was a tad frightening. Too bad she probably just ruined her chance with her abhorrent behavior. She nudged Gavin in the direction of the back of the theater. "Let's go find Emily and congratulate her. She was amazing tonight."
. . .
Andy tried to dispel himself of the mood he found himself in before he reached Nicole and the boys, but he was only partially successful. He didn't understand why he was so crushed that his infatuation with Sharon clearly wasn't going anywhere. Sure, he had felt more towards her than any other woman recently, maybe ever, but he didn't even really know her. It was probably for the best. Someone as sweet and beautiful as her didn't need a guy with his kind of baggage hanging around. There was a reason he hadn't seriously dated anyone in a while. He had a penchant for screwing things up. Things were finally s on track with his kids again. His focus would remain on them and the restaurant.
-TBC-
AN: Please let me know what you think!
