Though there were a half a dozen more suspect texts that were clearly from women, they offered no distrustful behavior on Azmir’s part. But Dawn, Tara and Spin’s pursuits were hard to ignore. Tara was a done deal and Spin had never owned his heart, but I wasn’t settled on his position with Dawn.
I fought back the tears all morning, even when Azmir texted, asking why was I refusing his calls to the practice. I told Sharon to tell him I was with a patient each time she buzzed me letting me know he was on a line. It was unusual for her and Azmir. Typically, I’d excuse myself and steal a few seconds to take his calls.
I typed back to him,Hectic day. Hope yours is better. I’ll hit you up tonight after practice.
I choked back a cry while typing out that text, suppressing my aching tears. It was so intense, it hurt. He didn’t write back. He had gotten the memo. The knock at my door snatched my attention.
“Come in,” I shouted coarsely, still shaken.
Brian Thompson peeped his head through before fully entering. Oddly, his smile thawed my mood. I’d even found myself being taken by his pearly white teeth that glistened through his beaming smile. I smiled back.
“Oh, wow! For once I don’t feel unwelcome,” Thompson quipped. “Good afternoon, Rayna.”
He looked good in his finely tailored black suit, shimmery crimson tie and nicely buffed oxfords. His hair was its usual close cut, and his goatee was handsomely trimmed. He looked…suave.
A soft chuckle slipped my lips. “Oh, stop it.” I threw him a short wave of my hand, acknowledging his melodramatic antics. With a full on smile, I continued, “Hello, Brian. How may I help you today?”
“I brought my niece over to the recreation center next door. She’s visiting from Seattle and I heard about the dance classes offered over there. I thought I’d have her check it out. Figured if she liked it, I would enroll her in the summer program when she comes to visit next summer.”
This was news to me. I knew Azmir had been developing a plethora of programs over there, but dance?
“Oh, I didn’t know the rec had a dance program. That was very…avuncular of you.” I snorted, suddenly jovial in my disposition. “Did she like it?”
“Avuncular?” he quizzed with a sardonic grin.
“Joke,” I shot back.
“Uhn-hnn. I’m not sure. I’m headed over to get her now.” His eyes darted down to the floor as he was preparing for his next words. “I was wondering if you wanted to join us for lunch. We’ve developed a partiality to M&M’s Soul Food and I thought that may be common enough to invite you to so that you don’t think I’m coming on too strong.”
Hmmmmm… I wrinkled my nose. “Are you coming on to me at all?”
It was Brian’s turn to scoff, only he added a rolling of his eyes. It was cute.
“Must we go there?” His head was tilted to the side to express annoyance. Double cute. It was a rare moment to not see Thompson’s arrogance in full bloom. “Are you free?”
I eyed him from ear to ear, with so many scenarios running through my mind.
“I can’t,” I sighed. He pushed out groan of defeat. “But!” I said, a pitch higher. “In lieu of lunch today, why don’t you guys come to my show tomorrow night. If she likes dance she should be inspired by some of the acts taking place there. It’s a fundraiser and should be fun for an uncle and niece date.”
“Your show? You promote shows?” Thompson wore an earnest look of confusion.
“No. I dance. It’s just a hobby, something to break the monotony of physical therapy.” I tried to make clear. “Wait…. How old is she?”
“Seventeen.”
“Cool. Some of the material is age appropriate, but it’s all artful.”
“Okay. What type of dancing are you into?”
“I do a few types, ballroom, hip-hop, jazz and a little tap, but there should be a little ballet and salsa there at the show, too. What’s she into?”
“I believe hip-hop.”