Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
He opened the passenger door and this time she showed her appreciation by running her fingertips along his jaw as she got in. Even for her, the move was bold but it spoke of the kind of intimacy she wanted the night to be about.
Leo waited until he was behind the wheel to answer her question. “I’m taking you to a ballet performance.”
Once again, she glanced at her clothes in dismay. “Ballet? Should I run inside and change?”
He shook his head. “Not necessary. This isn’t anything formal. It’s a performance for underprivileged youth by a group I donate to yearly. It’s called the Little Feet Dance Studio. In turn, since I’m considered a top-tier sponsor they invite me to their holiday performance.” He glanced her way. “This will be the first time I’ve decided to attend.”
She wasn’t sure what shocked her more. That he was a top-tier donor or that he was taking her to a kids’ ballet.
He started the car and pulled onto the busy street. When he slowed to a halt at a stop sign and looked over, she met his gaze.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“I just… I didn’t expect you to take me to something like this. I think it’s amazing that you donate money to this kind of cause and I’m thrilled to see these kids perform.”
He lifted one shoulder. “I’m just full of surprises,” he said in a self-deprecating tone.
She put her hand on his arm. “Thank you. I’m looking forward to it.”
She loved the show. Cammie had never seen The Nutcracker before and she was enthralled. The dancers were so talented, it was hard to remember they were only between the ages of thirteen to seventeen. The costumes were beautiful, and the music gripping.
After the kids took their bows in front of the large auditorium, they stepped out, still in costume, and greeted everyone in the audience. Their pride radiated from them in waves and Cammie couldn’t help but think that Leo, a self-proclaimed Grinch, had shared a little Christmas magic with her without realizing it.
They met with the teens before leaving and shook their hands. Cammie gushed over their performances, and though Leo, too, congratulated them, he was much more reserved but still made them feel good about themselves.
As they left, Cammie asked, “What’s the story behind this? How did you get involved with this group? Why are they the ones you sponsor?”
He was quiet for a moment, and she waited, unsure if he was gathering his thoughts or trying to shut down her question with silence.
“So, I grew up well off,” he finally said. “I mean, I have a great job, and I make good money doing it, but my family is wealthy. We’re what people call old money.”
She knew he wasn’t bragging and waited patiently for him to continue.
“My point,” he went on. “is that growing up without wanting for anything can skew your perspective on life. I wasn’t a cold or mean person. I just… I didn’t see it, you know? I could hear about a person going hungry or getting evicted because they couldn’t pay their rent. I just didn’t relate to it in any way.”
“But something changed?” she asked.
He nodded. They strolled toward his SUV parked a block away. Above them, the sky was dark, and around them, chill permeated the air. She shivered and Leo slipped off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.
Such a gentleman, she mused, grateful for the warmth he’d provided and enjoying the heady scent of his cologne wrapped around her.
“Yes, something changed. When I was sixteen, I went to private school, and my junior year, a kid named Luke showed up. He was on scholarship and when the kids found out, he was put through hell. The more insecure kids picked him apart to avoid dealing with their own issues. Or they were just self-involved little shits who believed they were better than Luke because they were lucky enough to be born to rich parents.”
“But you became his friend,” she guessed.
“Yeah, and he was a cool guy. Smart. Played the guitar and wanted to be a neurosurgeon. The closer we became, the more I realized just how different his home life was from mine. Nothing in his world was secure. Then there was his sister. Leslie was fourteen and loved dancing. She’d always wanted to take lessons, but her parents couldn’t afford them.”
They reached the car, but he was still speaking and she listened, caught up in the story.
“I saw her heart break, and I wished there was something I could do to help. I told my mom, and she offered money to Luke and Leslie’s parents, but they declined, insisting that they didn’t want charity. They were holding onto their pride, they said.” He shook his head. “I never understood it. But I suspect that’s another perk to being raised with plenty of money. You can’t comprehend why it’s a sensitive issue.”