Free December Heat by Joanie MacNeil Page B

polite thing, and released his grip on Danny’s palm.
    “So what’s the go here?” he turned to Nic. Was there a slight hint of amusement in her eyes?
    “Danny’s offered me the role of female lead in the new production I told you about. This is a great opportunity for me to re-establish my career.”
    Her excitement seemed to bubble over. And he supposed she had a right to be excited. This was her life, dancing was important to her and he appreciated she had an opportunity to move on. He had no claim on her, but he felt a slight tug at his heart. Like a sense of loss, or at least, a sense that the tenuous bond between them was being stretched to the limit. Definitely not jealousy though. He didn’t know how to be jealous.
    “From what I’ve seen, Danny seems to know what he’s talking about.” He shot a glance at the young man who’d retrieved his towel from the chair and now had it slung around his neck.
    “Nic’s more than ready for it.”
    Jake ignored Danny’s comment, wondering exactly what he referred to.
    “Danny’s the principal male dancer in the company, as well as choreographer.” Nic’s excitement shone in her eyes.
    “Impressive,” Jake agreed, having no real idea whether it was impressive or not.
    “So Nic, what are you going to do?”
    She looked over at Danny and smiled hesitantly. “I’m tempted.”
    By him! Jake couldn’t believe it, then he realized what she’d meant, that she was tempted to take up the offer to rejoin the dance company. It took all his resolve not to let his breath whoosh out in relief.
    “She hasn’t lost her touch,” Danny announced.
    “No, I can see that,” Jake said, not meaning to sound so curt. From what he could see, Danny hadn’t lost his touch either.
    “Mark would want me to,” she said quietly and he thought he detected a defensive note in her tone.
    “What do you want to do?” Jake prompted. “Shouldn’t you do what you want, not what you think Mark would have wanted? Not what Danny here wants?” She was going to find herself in real trouble if she began to take guidance from a dead man, or any man. God, what had got into him today? The morning had started out fine, but now he felt distinctly moody and fractious.
    “I wouldn’t need to start rehearsals until after Christmas. By that time, you’ll be gone,” she said, looking up at him. Still that defensive tone, but he detected a touch of wistfulness in her expression.
    “I’ll need something to keep me busy.”
    “Then go for it,” he encouraged. She was right, he’d be long gone, and he had no right to oversee her life, then or now, from near or far. He tried not to conjure up the images of Danny dancing with Nic, touching her every night, on stage or behind the scenes, while he was in some God-awful place, probably being shot at for reporting current events to the world. Unhappiness gripped his heart. Whatever Nic chose to do with her life was none of his damn business.
    “You did well,” Danny said to her. “I can’t believe how well you’ve kept in shape all these months.”
    She grinned at him, obviously pleased with the compliment.
    “It wasn’t too hard at first, harder after Mark died.” Sadness touched her eyes. “But once you presented me with a goal, the fitness routine fell into place again.”
    “I know how difficult it was for you. You did well,” he said again. “I’m proud of you.” He kissed her on the cheek and a smile lit her face.
    “Stay for lunch?” she asked, her hand resting on his arm.
    “Sure thing, that’s if you don’t mind, Jake?”
    Feeling dour, Jake shook his head. “Of course not.” But of course he did mind. He wanted to talk to Nic alone, find out what was going on before his curiosity got the better of him.
    “Good, I’m going to take a shower before we eat,” she advised. “You know where the bathroom is if you want to have a shower before lunch too, Danny.”
    So he knew his way around the house. Jake’s fists