“That works.” The choir director winked at her. “My birthday is next week. Why don’t you put my name in the song? I’m Shaun. Is that okay with you?”
Isabel bobbed her head.
“Let’s give it a try. I’ll sing along with you once, and you can sing it by yourself the second time.”
He launched into the song, and after guiding her through, he dropped out on the repeat.
Isabel’s voice wavered once, but it was sweet and on pitch.
“Very nice.” Shaun high-fived her, then spoke to the group. “Now I’m going to turn this over to Devyn Lee for the dance segment of the audition. If anyone wants to read for a part, you’ll find Katherine in the conference room after you dance. Good luck to you all.”
While Shaun collected his belongings and Devyn rose, the father, girl, and grandfather started back to their seats, passing her en route.
“You have a very pretty voice.” She leaned down to put herself closer to Isabel’s level as the trio paused.
“Thank you.” The girl gave her a shy smile.
“Are you ready to dance with me?”
“Yes.” Zero hesitation.
“Wonderful. I have a feeling you’re very graceful.”
The girl’s smile broadened.
When Devyn straightened up, she found the girl’s father watching her, an unreadable emotion in his dark brown eyes.
“Thanks for that.” He tipped his head ever so slightly toward Isabel, the husky cadence of his voice sending a prickle of warmth through her.
She swallowed as she stared at him.
What on earth...?
That had felt almost like ... attraction.
Which was crazy.
Sure, the man had rugged good looks and appeared to be exceptionally fit and toned, but she didn’t even know him. Nor was she in the market for flirtations or romance, thanks to the demanding profession waiting for her back in New York.
Meaning her reaction to him was not only ridiculous but—
“I appreciate your encouragement.”
At his follow-up, heat surged across her cheeks.
Good grief. She’d been gaping at him like a hungry seagull trying to mooch a meal from one of the tourists on the wharf.
She cleared her throat and pasted on a smile. “My pleasure. I’m sure your daughter will enjoy participating in the show. Theater is a wonderful confidence builder for children.”
And with that, she fled toward the front of the room, pursued by a question without an answer.
How could a principal dancer who’d performed in front of thousands of people be thrown off-balance by a simple comment from a handsome stranger who likely had a wife waiting in the wings at home?
Aaron glanced up from his laptop—again. Sighed.
He should be working on the next production schedule, but it was hard to concentrate after that brief but disconcerting exchangewith Devyn Lee. One that had left him both rattled and oddly energized.
It didn’t make sense.
