Before I Do Amazon by Barbara Freethy Page A

he do that?"
    "It would be an investment for him?"
    "The king of hotels wants to invest in a dance studio? Just how close have you two gotten?"
    "It's not like that. I'm helping him secure a business deal. In return, he wants to help me."
    "Okay. Let's put that aside for the moment. This is your chance to get back on the stage, Isabella. The Tylers love you. They feel terrible that you were injured on their production."
    "My accident shut down their show."
    "Their poor set construction shut down the show. And that was also Carter's fault. He was taking shortcuts that they didn't know about." Ricardo paused, giving her a serious look. "There aren't many second chances in life, Isabella. You need to take this one."
    "I'm not as good as I was. I haven't been dancing."
    "You dance alone at night. I see you in the studio after classes."
    "That's just for me."
    "Just think about it. Don't say no. This is too big of an opportunity to dismiss out of hand. You have to give it thought."
    She didn't want to think about going back to that life, because there was a part of her that wanted nothing more than to be the star she'd once dreamed about being. But there was another part of her that wanted to stay where it was safe, where she wouldn't fall—literally or metaphorically.
    "What are you two talking about?" Rhea asked, interrupting their conversation.
    Isabella was startled to see her aunt. "I didn't hear you come in."
    "You two were engrossed in conversation. What's going on?" Her curious gaze moved from Isabella to Ricardo. "Anyone want to share?"
    "The Tylers are opening a new musical in San Francisco in a couple of months," Ricardo replied. "They want Isabella to audition, and I think she should."
    Isabella sent Ricardo a killer look, but he didn't bat an eye. He obviously wanted Rhea on his side, and there was no doubt that her aunt would be there.
    "That's amazing, Isabella," Rhea said. "Their musicals are always fantastic."
    "I'm done with that part of my life. I want to teach. I want to run a studio. I don't need to perform any more. And I'm not good enough. I couldn't be what I was."
    Rhea frowned. "You've completely healed from that injury, Isabella. Maybe you would need to put in some long hours, but you could get yourself back in shape. This actually comes at a good time. The repairs will be very expensive, Isabella. I've talked to my buyer, and she's willing to buy the studio as is for a lower price. I'm meeting with my accountant tomorrow to run the numbers. I don't think I can keep throwing good money after bad. This place has been a wonderful home for all of us, but sometimes you have to move on."
    "I think I can buy the studio, too," she said. "I have someone willing to invest. Can you at least give me a few days to see if I can pull that together?"
    "Who would want to invest in this place?"
    "Nicholas Hunter. The man I'm giving tango lessons to."
    "Seriously? Why?"
    "Does it matter?" she countered, seeing the same confused look on her aunt's face as she'd seen on Ricardo's.
    "I think it does. The man has already agreed to give you a ballroom to run our classes in for the next few weeks. Now he wants to buy the studio? What are you giving him in exchange for all this good will? I know it's more than dance lessons."
    She saw the worried gleam in her aunt's eyes. "It's not that ," she said sharply.
    "Then what?"
    "Nick needs me to go to Argentina with him and dance the tango for some business investor. It's part of a deal he's trying to make. I told him that would be difficult for me because of my family history. But apparently this deal is going to be worth millions if not billions of dollars, and he's willing to throw in some things to make me more willing to go with him."
    Rhea's jaw dropped in shock. "You're seriously thinking of going back to Argentina? Have you spoken to your mother about that?"
    "No, I haven't. I'm an adult, and this is going to be a quick trip, two to three days at the most. I'm not planning to