“No. I think her sister was sick the day we saw her on the wharf, but she’s getting better now.”
“I’m glad. Being sad is hard.” Before he could think of a response to that, she continued. “She’s nice, isn’t she, Dad?”
“Seems to be.”
“Also pretty.” Gramp’s eyes began to twinkle. “Don’t you think so, Aaron?”
He squinted at the older man, confining his response to one cautious word. “Yes.”
“You don’t sound sure about that.”
Oh, he was sure. With her blond hair pulled back into a ponytail, her classical profile and delicate features were on full display tonight. And her blue eyes were stunning. The kind a man could drown in—if he took the plunge.
But no way was he voicing those thoughts.
And why was Gramp homing in on her appearance, anyway?
“I’msure.” Isabel answered for him. “She looks like a storybook princess.”
“You are one perceptive young lady.” Gramp squeezed her shoulder, then cocked his head as he studied Devyn. “I can imagine her dancing the title role inSleeping Beauty. I expect she’d knock the audience dead. Don’t you, Aaron?”
Enough.
Whatever Gramp was up to, this game was over.
“I don’t know anything about ballet. You guys ready to go home?” He tucked his laptop under his arm and herded Isabel toward the door.
“Yep.” Gramp fell in behind him. “And while you may not know anything about ballet, you do know a pretty woman when you see one, despite your reticence. All the tells are there.”
Clamping his lips together, Aaron picked up his pace.
Gramp must have detected the sudden sizzle during the brief exchange between the dancer who’d caught Isabel’s fancy and his grandson. But attempting to explain it would be an exercise in futility.
Especially since he couldn’t figure out what had prompted it himself.
And if Gramp was planning to start playing matchmaker, the two of them were going to have to have a long talk.
Romance wasnotin his future.
Period.
Besides, even if he was willing to toy with that idea at a distant future date, aiming his sights on a woman who would be gone in a matter of weeks, back to her glamorous life in the spotlight in New York, would be the height of foolishness.
Yet as he pushed open the door and ushered Isabel through, he couldn’t resist another peek at the appealing ballerina who’d not only captivated his daughter but cast some sort of a spell on him too.
And Gramp’s smug expression told him he knew that as Aaron motioned him out and closed the door behind them with a firm click.
But this wasnota Disney movie. He wasnota handsome prince. And happy endings only happened in fairy tales.
Important facts to remember if Gramp decided he wanted to continue to play Cupid.
“Yep. Mighty pretty woman.” Gramp smirked at him as he slid into the front passenger seat of the car.
Scratchif.
Gramp was definitely going to pester him about this again.
Stifling his annoyance, Aaron buckled Isabel in the backseat, closed the door, and circled the car.
