Before I Do Amazon by Barbara Freethy Page B

see my father."
    "Your father hurt you and your mother. I don't think you should see him. He's not going to magically turn into a better person. He's still going to be the man who abandoned you. I hate to be blunt, but we both know that's true."
    "But I don't know why he abandoned me. Mom doesn’t ever want to talk about him, and you've never been forthcoming on the subject, either."
    "It's your mom's story to tell—if she wants to tell it. You should talk to her."
    "I plan on doing that, but I'm still going to make my own decision."
    "I understand," Rhea said, not sounding too happy about it.
    "Good, now getting back to the studio, can you give me a week?"
    "I'll think about it. I don't want to lose the offer I have. But I will talk to you before I make a final decision. I'm going to get some papers out of the office," Rhea said, vanishing down the hall.
    Isabella glanced over at Ricardo. "I know you think I'm making a mistake."
    "I think you're afraid," he said. "If you want to buy the studio, and you've found someone to give you the money, great. But you should still speak to the Tylers. Find out all your options, then make a decision. Otherwise, you're just running scared."
    "I'm not scared. I know what I want."
    "Then there's no danger in meeting with the Tylers. Tell them no to their faces. They gave you your first break on Broadway. Don't you owe them that?"
    She let out a sigh as Ricardo's final point hammered home. Being loyal was one of her biggest faults. "I'll think about it."
    Ricardo nodded with approval. "Good. But after you think about it—go down to the theater where they're holding auditions this week. Walk onto that stage and look into those lights and then tell me you don't want that anymore. Only then will I really believe you."
     
    * * *
     
    Isabella was still thinking about Ricardo's words when she went to the Grand View Towers Hotel a little before eight on Sunday night. In fact, she couldn't think about anything else, especially since she'd also gotten a long text on her phone from Donna Tyler expressing interest in having in their new show. She hadn't replied yet, because she didn't know what to say.
    She'd really thought she was done with the stage, with performing, with chasing the Broadway dreams that had driven her life, but if she were going to consider going back, dancing for the Tylers would be the perfect scenario.
    But even if she wanted to make another run at a starring role, could she do it? She'd definitely lost some of her muscle tone in the last year. She didn't work out the way she used to. She'd be winded in three minutes.
    Frowning at that thought, she walked into the empty ballroom and told herself to focus on the present. Classes were starting in the morning and this was her new studio.
    Nick's staff had done a great job. The hardwood floor was shined and polished. Mirrors had been set up all around the room, and two ballet barres had been installed along three of the walls. There was even a stereo system set up with speakers hung in the four corners of the room. It was perfect.
    The door opened and Nick strode in. She liked the energy in his step. He didn't walk like he was going to the executioner as he'd done the first time he'd showed up for a lesson.
    He'd finally put on some denim, but his dark gray jeans and maroon-colored shirt were probably as expensive as a three-piece suit. She couldn't help wondering if he ever wore ripped jeans or a sweatshirt. Maybe she just wanted him to look a little less attractive, less appealing, but that probably wouldn't happen even if he put on sweat pants and a wrinkled T-shirt. Nick had a masculine presence that would always draw a woman's eye.
    "What do you think?" he asked. "Will the room work?"
    "It's perfect. Thank you so much."
    "You're welcome."
    "Are you ready to dance?" She had a lot of things she wanted to talk to Nick about, but she also wanted to respect his lesson time. She'd agreed to teach him the tango. That had to come