Read Online Dance with the Doctor by Cindi Myers - Free Book Online Page A

ARTER was tall and beautiful, with stylishly cut dark brown hair, and expensive boots and coat. “I can’t believe you’re wearing that shirt,” she said to Mike as he stepped into the living room. She laughed, the sound loud in the sudden stillness.
    “It’s a beautiful shirt,” protested Taylor, who stood between her parents in the entryway.
    “Yes, it is, dear, but it’s so not your father.” Melissa turned and noticed Darcy, who was still seated on the sofa.
    Darcy set aside her wineglass and stood. “I’m Darcy O’Connor,” she said, moving forward, hand outstretched. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
    “I can’t tell you how much I’ve looked forward to meeting you,” Melissa said, gripping Darcy’s hand firmly. “All I’ve heard since Taylor started classes was Darcy this and Darcy that. And then to find out you’re the mother of that dear boy who gave her his heart—it’s just too amazing.”
    Darcy tried not to wince. It wasn’t as if Riley had voluntarily handed over his heart to Taylor.
    “Can I get you some wine?” Mike asked Melissa.
    “Yes, please.” She settled on the sofa next to Darcy, Taylor on her other side. “So you’re a belly dancer,” she said. “Such an unusual occupation. And you really make a living dancing?”
    “Dancing and teaching. And I sometimes do temp work to bring in extra money.” Darcy could tell by the way Melissa’s nose wrinkled that she didn’t think much of Darcy’s financially precarious lifestyle, and her next words confirmed it.
    “I suppose you artists don’t really care that much about money,” she said. “I could never live that way. I’ve grown too used to my luxuries, I suppose.”
    By the time Mike called them to the table, Melissa had revealed her current relationship with a senior pilot and described her latest shopping trip in Paris.
    “That sounds wonderful,” Darcy said, continuing the conversation as they took their seats, she to Mike’s left, with Taylor on his other side and Melissa at the opposite end of the table.
    “Even though I wear a uniform to work, I like to look my best in my off hours,” Melissa said.
    Darcy purchased most of her clothes from thrift stores and the sale racks at discount merchants. “I’ll admit, I don’t worry much about clothes,” she said. “Except for my costumes.”
    “Darcy has some lovely costumes,” Taylor said. “All silky and shimmery with all kinds of jewels and sequins.”
    “Not much call for that sort of thing in my line of work,” Melissa said with a chuckle.
    “Darcy dances at a restaurant sometimes,” Taylor said. “What was the name of it again? I want to come see you there.”
    “Arabica. They serve Middle Eastern food. It’s very good.”
    Taylor looked skeptical. “I’ve never had Middle Eastern food before.”
    “It’s different, but good,” Darcy said. “Though not as good as this steak, I’m sure.”
    “Mike always was a good cook,” Melissa said. “I never wanted to waste the little spare time I had in the kitchen. With my travel schedule I have to eat out too much. But the other night I had dinner in the most fabulous restaurant in Naples….”
    Darcy was able to enjoy her steak in relative silence, as Melissa took over the lion’s share of the conversation, segueing from a description of the menu at the Naples restaurant to a long story about her latest trip to Antwerp. Taylor watched her mother with adoring eyes. Why didn’t Melissa pay more attention to the girl? Why didn’t she ask her daughter about school or dancing, to include her in the conversation? The one time Taylor tried to share something that had happened in class, Melissa turned the conversation back to herself.
    As for Mike, he focused on his plate. What had this quiet, solemn man ever seen in this outgoing, self-centered woman?
    At that moment, Mike looked up and met Darcy’s gaze. A spark of unmistakable warmth lit his eyes. “Let me get you some more wine,” he said,