Lauren stared at her. “You’re serious about this.”
“Yes. I always knew I’d want to stay involved in ballet in some capacity after I left the company, and teaching is an obvious choice. Quite a few dancers go that route after their performing days are over.”
“Is this a done deal?”
“No. I’m still in research mode—but I’ve gotten a lot of wheels in motion over the past ten days. I’m pretty certain I can swing the finances. I’m having Eric Nash review the lease. BJ Stevens is putting together a remodeling bid. I also researched the potential student base. I’d have to pull from a wide area for this to work, but my credentials should be a strong draw. To some degree this would be a leap of faith, though. Sort of aField of Dreamssituation. I’m hoping if I build it, they will come.”
“Wow.” Lauren leaned back. “Why didn’t you say anything about this sooner?”
“I kept thinking there’d be a glitch that nixed it, or that red flags would pop up, and I didn’t want to mention it until all the hurdles were cleared.”
“Are they?”
“Most of them. I still have a handful of i’s to dot and t’s to cross, and there are a couple of people I want to talk to.”
A glimmer of amusement sparked in her sister’s eyes. “I’d wager Aaron’s on your talk-to list.”
“Yes, but I wouldn’t make such a huge change because of my feelings for a man I’m just getting to know. If I do this, it has to be because I’ll be happy here with or without him in my life.”
Lauren’s features hardened. “Not that I’m putting Aaron in the same category as Dennis, but I think you’re smart not to base a major decision like this on a man.”
“Agreed. However, there’s one person whose input is critical. You.” She linked her fingers on the table. “I think we’ve worked through most of our issues, and we seem to be on solid footing, but if I’ve misread that, please tell me. Coming back ... coming home ... wouldn’t work as well if you weren’t a regular part of my life.”
Lauren gave her a get-real look. “Of course I’ll be a regular part of your life. I feel like I finally have a sister again, and I’m not giving that up. In fact, until or unless you want to strike out on your own, I hope you’ll stay with me at the house.”
Pressure built in Devyn’s throat.
When the accident had summoned her home, the best she’d hoped for was an opportunity to crack a window that might lead to a reconciliation with Lauren.
Instead, the door had been thrown open. Literally.
If nothing else had come from this trip, that would have been sufficient.
But amazingly enough, new doors had also opened on the career and romance fronts.
“I’d love to live at the house. Thank you.”
“No thanks necessary. I should thankyou. You’re the one who dropped everything and flew across the country when I needed help.”
“That’s what sisters do.”
Lauren’s expression grew rueful. “Not if they’ve been treated as badly as I treated you. Every time you reached out through the years, I snubbed you.”
“For reasons I now better understand. But as far as I’m concerned, history should remain in the past.”
Jeannette appeared with a three-tiered stand of goodies, which she set on the table. After explaining all the items and retrieving two pots of tea, she left them to enjoy their treat.
“I’d like to propose a toast.” Lauren filled her teacup and lifted it as Devyn did the same. “To a new chapter—for both of us—whether that involves sisters, friends, romance, or a career change. And with thanks and gratitude for second chances.”
“I’ll drink to that.” She clinked her cup with Lauren’s, and then they dived into the delicious treats, no trace of the rancor or resentment that had marred the early days of their reunion in evidence.
And as they laughed and chatted, warmth overflowed in her heart.
Though the odds hadn’t seemed promising when she’d flown out here in the early hours of that May morning weeks ago, her wish for a new beginning with Lauren had been fulfilled.
How the career change or romance parts of the picture would play out remained to be seen. She had a number of details to work out for the studio, and despite what Isabel had said today—and Aaron’s reaction—it was possible his daughter had misread his comments. That his feelings weren’t as deep for her as hers were for him.
But she’d get answers on both fronts soon.
