Waiting for You (RightMatch.com Trilogy) by Kathryn Shay Page A

this morning.”
    “You and your daughters? Why?”
    “I think I told you Kara takes dance.”
    “You mentioned it online when you found out I was a dancer and were about to tell me where yesterday.”
    “Are.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “From what I saw yesterday, you still are a dancer.”
    At his observation, her whole body suffused with pleasure. It curled all warm and fuzzy inside her. No one, not one single person, ever referred to her as a dancer anymore. “Kara?”
    “She talked about this studio as if it was Buckingham Palace and you were the Queen of England.” Someone had once called her the Queen of Dance. “She’s watched your DVDs and couldn’t say enough about you.”
    “That’s sweet. You never did tell me where she takes lessons.”
    “Dance Dimensions.”
    “It’s a good school.” She looked around as if a thought struck her. “Joe, I’d take her here as a favor to you, but what if we don’t…if you and I don’t…”
    “I understand. I’d never want her in the middle.”
    “And I don’t socialize with my students or their families, though they invite me to things.” And some of them felt she was aloof because of it. Dana preferred to think she was being professional.
    “I just hate to sacrifice Kara’s needs because of me.” He was thoughtful. “But maybe you can help me with something else because you know girls. It’s Kaelyn I worry about most. She’s a klutz, but a budding Van Gogh. Still, she feels inferior because Kara shines at dance and gets all the attention.”
    “I’m sorry. Maybe she’ll outgrow it.”
    “She needs help. I’ve got to think about this some more. If you have any suggestions let me know.” He pushed off the wall and crossed to her desk. “I gotta start painting. Ruth said I have to finish today.” Bending over, he kissed her quickly on the mouth. “I’m glad you’re not mad at me anymore.”
    “I am.” She had to battle back a smile. “I forgot.”
    He smoothed a hand down her hair and left.
    In minutes, he returned with a ladder, a can of paint and brushes sticking out of his pocket. He headed to the bathroom to start in there. At least she wouldn’t have to look at him. She’d simply ignore him.
    Even if he did turn a small radio on low and begin to sing with a tune. Brown Eyed Girl substituting blue for brown. She quelled another smile.
    Even if he did take a break, get coffee from the diner next door for both of them and insist on drinking it with her.
    Trying to be irritated at his intrusion into her work time, Dana frowned as he sprawled out on Ruth’s chair. It was hard not to gawk at him in shorts that revealed corded muscles and sinew and a T-shirt that did the same for his arms. “You know, it’s not that hot in here. You could have put more clothes on.”
    He cocked his head with the innocence of Jack the Ripper. “Am I bothering you, babe?”
    Damn, it was hard to stay mad at him. He was adorable. “Not a bit.”
    He studied her. “You’re overdressed, aren’t you?”
    She swallowed hard. She hadn’t put on dance attire today and wore a red, sleeveless blouse and light, khaki slacks. Those were what he was referring to.
    “Dana, why did you go all quiet?”
    He might as well know. But she couldn’t face him when she told him. She turned back to the computer before she answered, hoping her voice was even when she said, “I don’t look at my legs. They’re not toned like the rest of me.”
    “Ruth does range of motion and other exercises with them, doesn’t she?”
    Dana nodded.
    She heard him push back the chair. Felt him come up behind her and settle his hands on her shoulders. “I’m sorry you don’t like the appearance of your legs. I want you to know, it won’t bother me when I see them.”
    She snorted. “As if.”
    He kissed the top of her head. “It’s the truth. I don’t want you to worry about that. I’ll find every inch of you gorgeous.” With that, he stepped away and went back to the