CHAPTER 4
Remy
The work day was about to end, but work was the last thing on my mind. In fact, I hadn't been able to concentrate on my work at all today, because images of the gorgeous woman I'd seen at the dance studio had been popping into my mind all day. I couldn't quite pinpoint what it was about her that had grabbed my attention with such a fierce, unrelenting grip, but I knew one thing for sure: I had to see her again.
But how? It would seem weird if I just showed up there for no apparent reason and sought her out. Then, however, I had an idea. I picked up my phone and dialed the number of my personal assistant.
“Hi, Remy, what's up? Please don't tell me you have another last-minute assignment that's gonna keep me here late again.”
I chuckled. “No, Carly, it's nothing like that. I was just wondering, um, does Anna go to the dance studio again today? If she does, I'd be happy to take her.”
“Well, she loves going there, and I'm sure she'd go every day if she could, but have you seen the fees they charge there? I can't afford to send her there more than once a week.”
This was not working to my advantage. I had to go there. I had to have an excuse to see the brunette again. Desperate times called for desperate measures, so… I acted.
“I'll pay for her to have a few extra classes.”
There was silence on the other end of the line for a few moments. I'm sure Carly was probably feeling a little shocked at this very unexpected offer.
“Um, well, that's incredibly generous of you, Remy, but... uh, I'm a little taken aback by your offer. Wait, is there something you want me to do in return? You trying to butter me up for some really stressful project you've got up your sleeve?”
“Not at all. I just saw the joy on Anna’s face when I dropped her off yesterday, and well… I mean, I know she spends a lot of time at daycare. I did, too, when I was a little boy, and I know how frustrating that can be, especially when you've got a passion for something. Mine was baseball when I was that age, but my parents wanted me to focus on other things, things they considered more important. I appreciate everything they did for me, but wish they could have been a bit more understanding when it came to things that I was passionate about. So, uh, maybe I'm just reliving my childhood vicariously through your daughter, but hey, if I can make her happy and give her the kind of chance I never had, why not?”
I was surprised with how easily I had managed to justify it – and I wasn't lying either. My childhood really had been like that. I loved my parents, and we were very close, but at times it had felt like their influence and focus on me had been stifling.
“Well, I umm, I guess, then yeah, if it's really all right,” she replied uncertainly.
“Trust me, it's fine. I'll go pick her up from daycare now so I can get those classes set up.”
“You're sure that there's nothing crazy I'm gonna have to do down the line to repay you for this? No insane projects in the pipeline that are gonna stress me out so much I'm gonna wanna jump off a building?”
I laughed. “None, Carly, I promise.”
“Well, in that case, thank you very much, Remy. You're a very kind man. And my little Anna will be delighted that she'll be able to dance more than once a week. Thank you!”
“Not a problem!”
I left the office and drove straight to Anna's daycare in my “fast-fast car.” Anna was delighted to see me and very happy that she was able to ride in the “fast-fast car” again. I was pleased, too – but for a quite different reason.
As I pulled up and parked across the street, nervousness began spreading through my body – a feeling that was very alien to me. Usually, nothing bothered me, and I could remain calm, cool, and confident in even the most intense and stressful situations, but thinking about the brunette was enough to give me a mild case of butterflies in my stomach, and I wasn’t even sure if she’d be there. But, it was the only chance I had.
Anna and I walked in, and a surge of both nervousness and joy ripped through me as I saw the brunette again. This time, she was behind the counter – I guess she had gotten the job she had applied for.
“Hi,” she said, smiling warmly at me – and I could see that there was definitely more than mere polite friendliness in that smile. “I see you've brought your daughter back.”
“Oh, Anna—” I began, about to say that she wasn't my daughter, but the girl interrupted me.
“It's so amazing that you're doing this for her. God, how I wish my own father had done this for me when I was a kid. It's sweet... not to mention encouraging.”
Her smile made me weak in the knees, and I didn't want to disappoint her by telling her the truth.
“Well, every child deserves the chance to pursue their passion. That's what I believe. My name is Remington Bridgewater, by the way, but please, call me Remy. Everyone does.”
I reached over the counter, and she took my hand and shook it gently. I could have sworn electricity passed between us as we touched.
“Hi, Remy, it's lovely to meet you. My name is Danica. Danica Klein.”
We stared at each other for a moment, and I got lost in her eyes.
“She must have her mother's looks, huh?” Danica said suddenly, breaking the silence. “Your eyes are brown, but her’s are light blue.”
“Oh, uh, yes, she does look like her mother. But her mother, um, we're not together,” I said hastily.
“Oh, I see... Well, that's not an uncommon state of affairs in today's society. I grew up in a single parent household, too.”
I nodded but wanted to change the conversation topic before the lie blew up in my face. I noticed a poster on the wall advertising a fundraising auction.
“What's that about?” I asked, pointing at the poster.
“Oh, that's a fundraiser. It’s something for us staff members. We have to put together something to auction to raise funds, and the winner – the one whose auction item brings in the most funds – gets free tuition. I would love more than anything for that to be me because, like your daughter, I have an intense passion for dance... but I, um, I've been through a bit of a rough patch recently and don't really have anything to contribute to the auction.”
She seemed sad and disappointed. I wanted to say something, but right then the manager poked her head around the door and interrupted us.
“Danica, I'd like you to come in here for a moment. Check Anna in and then come here, please.”
“I have to go,” she said.
It was now or never – I had to make a move.
“Listen, Danica, I never do this... But I can't help feeling that we have some sort of connection. I think you're absolutely stunning, and that you're an interesting person, too, one that I would love to get to know better. Could I take you out to dinner sometime?”
She seemed shocked, but in a good way, and I was sure she was going to say yes. But then, her manager called out to her from in the office.
“Danica, hurry, please!”
“I'm sorry,” she said. “It's my first day here, and I can't risk losing this job by dating a client. I... I can't, I'm sorry.”
She hurried around to the front, took Anna's hand and led her to the studio, and then hurried into the manager's office.
Disappointed, I turned and left – but there was no way I was giving up yet.