by Lynn Patrick
“Thank you.”
Anita hugged her daughter in return and kissed Gabby on the cheek. Both women were teary-eyed when they broke apart.
“I don’t know what to tell you about Kit,” Anita said, turning toward the door. “All I can suggest is that you listen to your heart.”
Maria was waiting in the hallway outside and hurried in as Anita left. Glancing at her watch, Gabby realized they had a lot of work to do with makeup, hair and dressing. She wouldn’t have time to digest all the revelations her mother’s heart-to-heart had brought about.
But one thing was certain: she wasn’t going to give up on Kit just yet.
KIT THOUGHT he looked like death warmed over as he stared at himself in the dressing room mirror. His eyes seemed to burn in his face above the pristine white of his collar and tie. He’d had to put an ice pack on his bruised hand to get the swelling down, and there were skinned areas across the knuckles. He was only thankful he hadn’t tried kicking his house.
When the door opened behind him, Kit glared at the visitor, a little surprised but no less annoyed to see his father.
Price shut the door and approached. “I guess you’re in a fine mood.”
“I’ve had a crummy day.”
“Uh-huh. Want to tell me about it?”
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
“Actually…no, I’m not.”
Price sat down on the chaise longue, arranging the tails of his old but well-preserved tuxedo. Kit thought the suit gave his father the same dapper appearance he’d had in his movies.
“We’ve been needing to talk for the past thirty-some years,” Price said seriously.
Kit couldn’t keep the irony from his tone. “Maybe, but twenty minutes before a show begins isn’t exactly a good time to play catch-up.”
“But it’s time enough to make a new beginning. I have to talk to you now, Kit. Anita just told me what happened this afternoon between you and Gabby. If you really love her, don’t let her go.”
Kit was startled. “What Gabby and I are to each other is none of your business.”
“You’re wrong. I feel as though I’ve stepped back in time. Anita and I started this whole mess with our hot tempers and misunderstandings. She’d tell me I was destroying her individual style or some such and I’d counterclaim that she was using me.”
“She didn’t?”
“We were both full of raspberries. If I had been more levelheaded, had tried to reason with Anita instead of trying to possess her, we would have married and I’d be a different man…and a much better father. I’ve neglected you badly, haven’t I?”
Taken aback by his father’s honesty, Kit admitted, “I could have used more attention.”
“And I never once told you I loved you.”
Kit’s jaw tightened. “Not that I remember.”
“Well, I do.”
Was he supposed to say he loved his father in return? Kit wondered.
But Price went on. “I don’t expect an immediate response. I want to earn the words from you one of these days. We have to get to know each other, see each other more often. Are you willing?”
The older man actually looked vulnerable, and unable to remain untouched by his gesture, Kit agreed. “We could get together for lunch or dinner….”
“Or merely to talk.”
“You might not like everything I have to say.”
“I can take whatever you dish out. And if it’s criticism, I probably deserve it. The only excuse I can offer is that I became pretty warped and distrustful after several failed marriages.”
“Divorce isn’t a good experience for anyone who’s involved,” Kit conceded.
“And I wasn’t the best at communication and understanding in the first place. I was always afraid the people I loved wouldn’t love me in return, so I’d either try to keep them at arm’s length or else exert some sort of control over them.” Price grinned wryly. “Anita was very angry when she found out I’d tricked her into coming to L.A. with her daughter.”
“But she forgave you?”
“Yes, thank God. Anita’s a wonderful woman at heart…and so’s her daughter. Give Gabby another chance.”
So far he’d respected everything Price had said, but Kit wasn’t so certain he was right about Gabby. “She said some pretty terrible things.”
“And you didn’t? The girl probably inherited her mother’s temper along with her heart. I can tell you a lot about Brooks women. Reason with them. Fight for them. I’m not letting Anita go again. We need to make the most of the time we have left.”
Focusing on the mention of time, Kit suddenly wondered if his father were ill. “Have you got a heart problem or something?” he asked worriedly.
Price laughed. “I’m just getting old. No one lives forever, you know.”
And Kit owed it to himself to try to gain whatever he could from a father/son relationship while it was available, he realized, contemplating Price’s mortality. He watched him rise to go.
“After the show, Anita and I are flying to Vegas to get married,” the older man announced. “But I’ll be back in a couple of days to keep those lunch or dinner dates we talked about.”
“Good.” Kit followed Price to the door. “Congratulations on your marriage.”
“Does that mean you’re giving me your blessing?”
“You might need it,” Kit said lightly.
Price turned, smiling. “I’m giving you my blessing as well, for whatever you decide to do.”
“I appreciate that.”
When his father kept standing there, looking more and more uncomfortable, Kit decided he would have to be the one to take the initiative. He embraced Price, who hugged him tightly in return and slapped him on the back.
As Kit released him, Price avoided his eyes and cleared his throat. “Break a leg, kid.”
“Thanks…Dad.”
The stage manager was already waving at Kit as Price walked away, indicating that the main act should be going on in five minutes. Kit stared into the mirror one last time and smoothed his hair, wondering what to do about Gabby. No matter how angry he’d been with her earlier, he decided, he would take his father’s advice about dealing with a Brooks woman. Reason with them, fight for them…don’t let them go.
He thought about what it would be like to take Gabby in his arms for the first dance. He was looking forward to it—to his partner and to the dance itself. He’d denied his deepest desires for so long. He had refused to follow in his father’s footsteps because he’d felt rejected by Price. Instead of emulating the man he had always loved, he’d made it a point to be different. And in doing so he’d only hurt himself.
He’d gone through life denying himself everything he had ever wanted. His father. His dancing. Even the woman he loved. And all because of his pride. It was time he learned how to change.
But Gabby would have to do some changing as well.
Thinking about convincing Gabby of that made sweat bead on Kit’s brow, but he was determined to get through to her. Even though he had no idea of what he’d say when the show was over, they were going to talk if he had to carry her into his dressing room to do so.
The thought put a smile on his face as he hurried to make his cue.
GABBY WAS a little late for the first number, but no one seemed to mind. Lucille improvised a joke to fill in the empty minutes and got the audience laughing. Kit said nothing and performed sublimely. Gabby imagined that his eyes were full of emotion. Her own feelings were touched by the combination of the music, her partner and his romantic intensity. Whether she liked it or not, she became “mesmerized” by Kit all over again and nearly wept when they kissed at the end of the number.
The applause had never seemed so enthusiastic.
Afterward, uncomfortable and fearing she’d spill her guts at the slightest provocation, she fled to her dressing room to change for the second number. When she came back to the wings, however, Kit was already standing there, watching the “Andrew
s Sisters” trio finish their act out front. Gabby halted, intending to back away.
Kit turned. “Don’t go,” he said softly.
“Why not?” Her heart pounded, and she wondered what he had in mind.
“I’m sorry I made those crummy remarks about your mother. I don’t even know her that well.”
Gabby nodded, tempted to say that he’d have the chance to do so soon, but she held her tongue. Kit probably didn’t know about the elopement.
“I’m also sorry I insulted you,” Kit went on. “In my heart I know better.”
Gabby smiled, her lips trembling slightly. She felt unaccountably shy. “Apology accepted. I didn’t mean the nasty things I said, either. And I’m not about to let Lucille down, so I won’t leave town until this engagement is over. You won’t have to find a new partner.”
“I’m glad. I could never replace you.”
What did he mean by that? As a partner or as a woman? When he continued gazing steadily at her, she glanced away, pretending to straighten the sequined folds of her gold skirts.
“We always seem to be apologizing to each other, don’t we?” Kit noted.
“Perhaps that’s because we’re both volatile personalities.”
“And because we’ve been playing out our parents’ tragic love affair.”
Gabby swallowed. “We’ve been haunted.” She focused on the words “have been.” The old Brooks/Garfield feud, she suddenly realized, was coming to an end.
Kit offered her his arm when the trio’s last song ended. But she let go of him and descended the flying staircase in front of her partner. The yearning “Dance with Me” number suited Gabby’s mood perfectly. She parted with Kit, then reached for him again and again, fearing she’d lose the greatest love of her life. He reached for her in turn, his expression sad but hopeful.
When she left him finally, fleeing up the steps at the end of the act, she turned to glance sorrowfully over her shoulder…and felt compelled to improvise.
Instead of allowing him to follow separately, she paused and held out her hand for his grasp. He took it immediately, his clasp warm, and they climbed the rest of the steps together. As the spots faded, the crowd cheered.
In the wings the stage manager kept them from rushing to their rooms. “Lucille wants to talk to you,” he whispered as the elderly woman announced the next act.
A moment later, glittering in black and silver, Lucille joined them. “The two of you are getting better every night.” She hugged them both. “I can’t thank you enough for what ya’ve been doing for me and everybody else.”
“It’s our pleasure,” Kit said, meaning it.
He slid an arm around Gabby’s waist, wishing he could kiss her. The gesture she’d just made had touched his heart, and he was tempted to read a deeper meaning into it.
His attention was recalled to Lucille when she said, “You’re probably gonna get some wild applause after the last number like you did the last couple of nights. How about doing an encore?”
“We didn’t prepare a fourth number,” Kit said.
“So improvise! You kids are so good together, you could do it in your sleep.”
Blushing, Gabby suggested, “How about ‘Dance of Love’?” She glanced at Kit. “What do you think?”
“Sure,” he agreed. “We can do a couple of turns around the floor. We were meant to dance together.”
“I’ll tell the orchestra.” Lucille smiled. “Too bad we can’t announce Anita and Price’s marriage. They always promised me I could be a bridesmaid, and now they’re gonna elope.”
“Maybe we should have a nice reception for them when they come back,” Kit suggested. When Gabby gave him a surprised look, he said, “My father told me.”
“A reception sounds great,” Lucille said. “We’ll have it at my place. Isn’t it a stitch those two old fools are finally gonna tie the knot?”
“A real stitch,” Kit said with a laugh. Not about to let Lucille foot the bill, he said, “I’ll help with the reception.”
“So will I,” Gabby offered.
“You two are somethin’ else.” Lucille sobered. “Seriously, you’re so damn good together, you nearly make my hair stand on end. I just wish we could keep you longer, even if it was only for weekends. Think about it. And you’re not your parents’ ghosts either—I only say that in my monologue because this is a nostalgia club. You’re originals.”
“Thank you,” Gabby said sincerely. “I need to hear that.” She addressed Kit, “And I’m sure you appreciate it, too.”
For once he didn’t feel prickly about the topic. He shrugged. “I’m flattered we’re being compared to legends like Anita Brooks and Price Garfield.”
Gabby’s eyes widened in surprise. Then the stage manager got their attention. Exchanging one last hug with Lucille, Kit headed for his dressing room and Gabby for hers. They changed in record time and met back in the wings a few minutes before they had to go on.
Gabby took Kit by complete surprise when she softly said, “I’m interested in that serious relationship if the invitation is still open. How about my being your girl to start? Give me some time to get used to the idea of something more permanent.”
Kit’s heart soared. He wouldn’t have to kidnap her to talk to her after all. “Whatever you want.” Now that he had her, he didn’t intend to let the woman he loved walk out of his life.
“And I’ll take care of my professional goals on my own if you’re not interested in dance as a career.”
“Don’t give up your dreams,” Kit told her.
She smiled. “I don’t intend to, but maybe I can alter them somewhat.”
“Maybe you won’t have to right away,” Kit told her. “There’s Lucille’s offer, which sounds good to me…and then, I finally read the script. I love it.”
“You read it?” Her eyes glittered. “When?”
“Today, while I was sitting around with an ice pack on my hand. I punched the house when you left,” he explained, feeling a flush of embarrassment rise along his neck. “And you’re not going to do a great project like that with someone else. You deserve the perfect partner—me.”
Gabby laughed. “Someone modest. But what about your business?”
“I can find someone to take over for me temporarily. That way I can find out for certain what I really want to do with the rest of my life. For the first time I’m allowing myself a real choice. Since I intend to buy into a production company, maybe I can make a deal to work on both sides of the camera. How does coproducer sound?”
“Like a great title,” Gabby said with a big grin.
Then they had no more time to talk with words. They were on and had to express their feelings in dance with hundreds of people looking on. They executed “Tango Olé” with as much joy as passion. Gabby was going to stay in California and be his girl, and Kit felt as if he were on top of the world.
When the number ended, and the spots faded, Gabby whispered, “I love you, Kit.”
“I love you, too.”
Rather than leaving the stage in character, as Kit had choreographed, he lowered his head to kiss her, paying little attention to the resounding applause. The spots came back up, and they were still embracing. Someone threw a long-stemmed red rose onto the floor. Another bounced off Gabby, and she laughed, breaking away from Kit to pick up the flowers.
Gabby flashed Kit a look and held out her free hand, which he took immediately. This was the happiest night of her life!
Lucille was at the microphone. “Since we figured you might like an encore, Kit and Gabby have agreed to do ‘Dance of Love’ from White Tie and Tails.”
Gabby quickly tucked the roses into her costume so that her hands were free when Kit took her into his arms. She gazed deeply into his eyes as they moved around the floor. Kit knew the routine by heart, just as she did. Rather than improvising, they were honoring their parents.
She blinked hard not to cry.
When the music paused, she turned away. Kit grasped her wr
ist and pulled her back to him. Their lips locked, they moved slowly to the rhythm of the sophisticated dance of love. Again she tried to escape, but he imprisoned her and moved her across the floor with sensuous, flowing steps.
When Kit grabbed Gabby by the waist and lifted her above him, she felt a swell of emotion. He let her down slowly, holding her body against him as the music climbed. But instead of continuing, he kissed her. Gabby lost herself in the embrace until the cheering began. She glanced up, thinking the approval was for them until she realized they were in the dark beyond the spotlights.
The audience was standing now, practically shouting its approval at the scene in the middle of the floor. Price and Anita were dancing together as if they had always been doing so.
“After all these years…” she whispered.
Kit whirled Gabby around the stage until they joined their parents. She freed one of the roses from her costume and handed it to her mother. Beaming, Anita accepted it, and the audience roared its approval.
Then, his lips nestled in her hair, Kit murmured, “They’re finally together as they were meant to be all along. Let’s learn from their mistakes.”
Tears of happiness rolled down Gabby’s cheeks. Despite her fears, something told her that when she and Kit were old and gray, they, too, would still be dancing cheek to cheek.
ISBN: 978-1-4592-4876-2
SHALL WE DANCE?
Copyright © 2011 by Patricia Pinianski and Linda Sweeney
Originally published as CHEEK TO CHEEK © 1991 by Patricia Pinianski and Linda Sweeney
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario M3B 3K9, Canada.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.