Skintight by Susan Andersen Page B

pulled out a towel and blotted herself dry as she looked up at Carly who stood over her chatting while taking swipes at her short blond hair with her own towel. A couple of other dancers that he recognized from her birthday party joined them. Finally, Treena stuffed the towel into her bag and pulled out what looked like a thirties-era fringed table shawl. Rising to her feet, she folded the rose-strewn black material into a triangle and tied it around her hips. Then, even as she and Carly continued talking to their friends, they began backing toward the wings. He wondered if they’d leave through a rear exit and was debating whether or not to call attention to himself when they suddenly rerouted for the edge of the stage. They hopped off and started up the aisle toward the exit behind him.
    When they were almost parallel with the row of tables where he sat, he rose to his feet. “Treena.”
    She stopped dead. “Jax? Ohmigawd. I thought you were going to be in Los Angeles today.”
    â€œI was.”
    â€œHow did you get there and back so fast?”
    â€œLearjet.”
    Carly raised her brows. “Well, ooh, la, la.”
    He laughed. “Be a lot more impressive if it were mine. But it was sent for me.”
    â€œLike I said.”
    â€œHow did you get in here?” Treena asked.
    â€œThe door was open.”
    Both women gave him skeptical looks and he grinned. “Okay, I caught it before it closed when some woman left in a big hurry.”
    â€œMary,” Carly said, and Treena nodded.
    â€œShe’s the assistant company manager,” she explained to Jax and pointed out an older woman he hadn’t even noticed seated at one of the banquettes down front. “That,” she said, “is Vernetta-Grace, the chief manager. Be very glad she didn’t see you sneak in. You’d probably be cooling your jets in the county clink about now if she had.”
    â€œNot a happy proposal,” he said gravely.
    â€œNot happy at all.” She gave him a crooked smile. “What are you doing here?”
    â€œI knocked ’em dead in the game today, and thought it would be nice to see you in the honest-to-God daylight. Do you have any free time? I imagine it’s too late for lunch, but maybe we could grab a cup of coffee or something.” He looked at Carly. “You’re welcome to join us, too, of course,” he offered, counting on her turning him down.
    She flicked him a knowing grin. “Thanks, I’d love to.”
    Shit.
    â€œBut I’ve got babies to feed and water.”
    Ex-cellent. Still, he knew his eyebrows had shot up in surprise. “You have kids?” She didn’t look like the maternal type.
    Both women laughed, and Carly said, “Pets. I have several pets.”
    â€œOh.” He shook his head. “Obviously I’m confused. I thought you lived in the same complex as Treena.”
    â€œI do.”
    â€œAh. There’s no covenant limiting the number of pets each unit can keep, I take it.”
    â€œWell, actually,” Treena said, and Carly shrugged.
    â€œThere is,” she said, “but right now the apartment next to me is empty, and the rest of the neighbors have been great about my babies, so it’s never been an issue. And really, they’re very well-behaved. Well, Rufus, my newest, is still getting used to the place, so he gets to barking sometimes when I’m not there. He’s also got some obedience issues, but everyone’s been very patient while I work on getting him trained. Speaking of which.” She hiked the strap of her dance bag higher on her shoulder. “I’d better get moving. Do you still want a ride to work tonight, Treena?”
    Turning golden brown eyes on him, Treena quirked a questioning brow.
    â€œOh, yeah,” he assured her. “This isn’t a date; that’s still on for tonight. This is just a quick cup of coffee.”
    â€œIn that case,