Romance Backstage. Kim Shaw

So what do you say? I’d like to take you out sometime, you know, like on a date or something.”

      “You just did,” she answered coyly.

      “Oh, you’re right. Well, let me rephrase. I’d like to take you out again, sometime.”

      “Look, Dru, I’m not sure that’s a very good idea. I mean, aren’t you sort of my boss?”

      Raven felt as though the brakes needed to be pumped on this whole thing, whether she wanted it to stop or not.

      “Nope. I have absolutely nothing to do with casting. That’s Marvin’s job.”

      “Yeah, but—”

      “No buts. I’d like to see you again Raven, outside of the theater. Are you trying to make me beg?”

      “Not at all, but can I ask you one question?”

      “Sure, anything.”

      “Why do you want to go out with me? You don’t even know me. Is it because you think I’m beautiful?”

      Raven was not so naïve that she didn’t recognize that physical attractiveness was part of what made the world go around. People who operated solely under the shallowness of physical beauty, however, were a turn off to her, and she avoided guys like that with a vengeance.

      Dru’s eyes settled on hers, a moment of silence passing between them that was both solemn and sweet.

      “I’d like to take you out because watching you dance made me feel like I’d just received God’s favor. I want to get to know the woman who could move me so deeply,” he said softly.

      The quickening of her heartbeat, pounding erratically in her chest, was the only thing Raven could feel for a few moments. She didn’t trust her voice, so she simply smiled, trying on his compliment for a while, wrapping it around her and allowing it to warm her soul.

      Chapter 5

      Dreams are for Dreamers

      “You are absolutely not wearing that,” Carley snapped, snatching the sleeveless black cotton turtleneck from Raven’s hands, balling it up and chucking it back into the closet. Carley, who had about three solid inches on Raven, dared her to reach for it again.

      “Carley!”

      “Come on, Raven, stop acting like some middle-aged Mormon. You’ve got to have something sexy in this closet of yours.”

      Carley gently pushed Raven aside and moved into the closet herself. She scanned the contents of the closet with apparent disapproval.

      “Okay, I thought you wore sweats every day so that you could change quickly for dance classes. I had no idea that that was all you owned!”

      “Well, Carley…everyone’s not a clothes whore like you!” Raven said defensively.

      “That’s true, but this is ridiculous. All right, let’s see what magic I can create up in here.”

      Raven moved away from the closet and plopped down onto the foot of her bed. For the past two days Raven had reconsidered her date with Dru countless times. Every time she convinced herself that dating someone so closely tied to her professional obligations was not a good idea, she’d pick up her cell phone and find his name in the contacts folder. However, before she could depress the send button, an image of his face, his disarming smile and sparkling eyes would assault her memory and a warm flush would course through her body. Logic lost the battle every time as the physical and emotional urge to get to know him outweighed all reason.

      “I should just cancel. I mean, I don’t even have anything to wear and besides, I should be spending all of my time practicing for the show,” Raven said.

      Carley shot her a searing look from over her shoulder. She snatched a peach-colored vest from the closet.

      “This will work,” she said, ignoring Raven’s comment. “Don’t you have a white skirt? You know the one you wore to Jackie’s party last month?”

      “Carley, did you hear what I just said?” Raven asked.

      “Yeah, I heard you. Where’s the skirt?”

      Raven retrieved the skirt from a shelf at the top of the closet and tossed it to Carley.

      “Raven, please knock it off. I know exactly what you’re thinking, and you’re wrong. There is not one good reason why you shouldn’t go out with this guy…not one.”

      “Are you sure?” Raven asked, wanting desperately to cast her misgivings aside and believe in Carley’s optimism.

      “I’m positive. He’s cute, he’s available, he’s successful and he’s totally hot for you. Everything else is trivial. Now, get dressed,” Carley said, thrusting various articles of clothing into Raven’s hands.

      Raven gave up. Under Carley’s dogged determination to get her hooked up, she didn’t stand a chance. And in addition to that was the fact that Dru’s sexy singular dimple was permanently recorded on her brain.

      “You look beautiful,” Dru said, momentarily forgetting himself. “Oops, I’m sorry. I forgot that I’m not supposed to tell you that.” He smiled.

      Raven laughed.

      “I didn’t say you couldn’t tell me that I’m beautiful. All I meant was that it shouldn’t be the motivating factor for everything one does in life,” she corrected.

      Dru was wearing a crisp white cotton shirt, the top two buttons open to reveal a solid brown neck and a hint of jet-black hair on his chest. Raven’s eyes traveled down the length of his body. His shirt was tucked into black slacks. On his feet were black loafers, punctuating his overall sophisticated casual appearance. Dru took her hand in his, guiding her to a seat at the small table for two. As he leaned closer to her, she inhaled his signature scent and was immediately intoxicated.

      “So how have rehearsals been going?” Dru asked.

      “All right. I have to say, working with the ensemble is nothing like what I thought it would be. I mean, we’ve got a lot of onstage time and the numbers Meagan’s worked up for us are hot!” Raven exclaimed.

      “That’s good. Everything is on schedule from the business end, but I’ve got to admit, it’s been back to back meetings and marathon telephone conferences getting things in order.”

      “I’m sure you’re used to this…after all, your dad has been in the business for ages.”

      “True. I was practically nursed on Broadway shows. However, and this is just between you and I,” Dru said, pausing to shift his eyes to the right and left and then leaning in conspiratorially. “This is the biggest production I’ve ever headed up on my own.”

      Raven regarded him, uncertain as to whether he was being serious or not. In the short time she’d known him, she realized two things about the man. First, his was a sense of humor that was off-color and unpredictable. Second, he was very generous with it.

      “Are you sure you can handle this?” she asked skeptically.

      “I don’t know…between juggling the investors and negotiating with the unions, I’ve got my hands full.”

      Dru’s expression was one of sheer panic, as if he had just now fully considered the weight of the task in front of him. Raven began to feel a deep sympathy for him, until the look of vulnerability in his eyes gave way to mischievous mocking.

      “Oh, please!” she said, slapping at one of his hands which lay on the table between them.

      She silently chided herself for being so foolishly taken in by his pretense. Dru’s laughter bubbled from his gut, tumbling from his full lips. He tipped his head backward as he laughed with his mouth opened wide.

      “Here I am feeling sorry for you, and you’re making fun of me all the while.” Raven