Hands clasped to her mouth, Diane Fisher had stopped several feet from her husband, who was standing in the aisle a dozen feet away, a young man beside him. Then she surged forward and drew the twentysomething guy into a hug.
“That’s her son.” Lauren leaned closer and lowered her voice. “I ran into them in the lobby earlier, and Martin told me he’d arranged for Lucas to come home for a week to see his mom in the show. The end of his internship coincided with the performance dates.”
“I’d call that a happy ending.” Devyn watched the family group as Diane released her son and embraced her husband.
“Yes. I’m thrilled for her.”
At the hint of wistfulness in her sister’s inflection, Devyn turned back. Opened her mouth to speak.
But Lauren beat her to it. “And I’m thrilled for me too, because the two of us have our own happy ending.” She reached over and squeezed her hand.
“Miss Devyn!” Isabel zipped out of the stage door and dashed toward them, followed by Ben. “How did we do?”
“You were all spectacular. Broadway quality.”
Ben’s eyes began to twinkle. “A slight exaggeration, but we did have fun and we raised money for a worthwhile cause. I’d say that’s a win all around.”
“You didn’t tell her yet, did you?” Isabel directed the question to Aaron, excitement pinging from her.
“Tell me what?” She inspected the faces of all the Steeles. And Lauren’s smug expression suggested she was in on whatever they were about to reveal.
“Can I tell her?” Isabel hopped from foot to foot.
What in the world was going on?
“Yes. I think you should do the honors. Everyone agree?” Aaron encompassed Ben and Lauren in his question, and they both nodded.
Isabel beamed up at her. “We’re coming to New York to see you dance in your last show!”
Devyn’s jaw dropped.
“I think we surprised her.” Aaron twined his fingers with hers.
“Are youallcoming?” She gave the group a sweep.
“I wouldn’t miss it.” Lauren touched her arm.
“And I’m not about to be left out of this party,” Ben chimed in.
Devyn’s throat clogged. “I can ... I can get you all tickets.”
“We hoped you could. That’s why we haven’t bought ours yet.” Ben winked at her.
“I can’t believe you’re all flying across the country to see me dance.” Somehow she managed to choke out the words.
“It was Dad’s idea.” Isabel smiled at him. “And when he told your sister, she said she was already planning to come too.”
“Just make it worth our while. Not to put any pressure on you or anything.” Lauren elbowed her, picked up her purse, and took the flowers from Aaron. “Now I’m going to call it a day. You all enjoy the party. I’d come too, but since I’m starting back to work full-time tomorrow, I want to make it an early night.” She lifted a hand in farewell and wound through the crowd toward the exit.
“Aaron, you want to ride to the party with Devyn? Or do I even have to ask?” Ben arched an eyebrow.
“You don’t have to ask. We’ll see you there.”
“Isabel, let’s go ditch these costumes and wipe off our makeup.” Ben took her hand. “We don’t want to be late for the party.”
While the two of them hustled toward the dressing rooms, Devyn gave Aaron her full attention. “Thank you for wanting to come see me dance. It means more to me than I can say. But a trip like that will be expensive.”
“It will be worth every penny.” He took her hand, and the warmth in his eyes turned her heart to mush. “I’d show you why I want to come if there weren’t so many people around.”
