Chances (Mystic Nights #1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

each council members hand as she greeted them.
    Jonathan noticed right away the way Peter gazed appreciatively at Aliya clad in spandex shorts and a tight form fitting t-shirt. He had the urge to punch the man in the jaw. Focusing on Aliya instead of Peter’s reaction, he also noticed her warm brown eyes crinkle at the corners. It bothered him how friendly she was being. Peter was closer to his mother’s age. True, he was only forty-five, but she wouldn’t see something in a man who must be close to fifteen years her senior. He gave Peter another look. He had dark black hair kept longer than was the norm in the back, but it was only slightly tinged with grey. He was mostly fit too, with just a tad of a gut beginning to form around the middle.
    He looked between them as he explained the purpose of his tour to Aliya wanting to see if the interest Peter was expressing was returned in any way. “The councilman are here to see the theatre while I explain the differences there will be in the new theatre. I’m trying to help them visualize it.”
    Peter’s perusal continued. The man was practically eye-fucking her. Jonathan felt his blood begin to boil.
    “It will be great. We have a packed house every night. I’m sure we will easily be able to fill the seats in the new theatre.” Her tone was enthusiastic. Bubbly almost.
    Mrs. Croatan, not only a council woman, but one of the village elders, nodded appreciatively. “I can see why. I saw your show last week. I love the changes you have made to the routines, including more elements of our traditional ways.”
    Aliya beamed and decided to jump in. This was great news. “Oh, I’m so glad you think so. For a long time, I’ve wanted to come home and teach our younger generation our songs and dances.”
    “Really?” Mrs. Croatan seemed pleased and interested. Her position on the council was very clear. She’d always been a traditionalist. Anything that supported helping to maintain the Eastern Pequots cultural identity was surely a cause she was bound to support.
    “Yes, in fact, I’ve nearly finished with my business degree, and I hope to meet with the council soon, to ask for permission to open up a studio on the reservation.”
    Peter rubbed his stubbly jaw bringing the focus to him as he cleared his throat. “Space is tight right now. Funding for construction, won’t be . . .” Peter started.
    “I’m thinking about the empty bingo hall on Rapp St.” Jonathan was lost. What had been about the casino’s newest construction projects turned into something else he hadn’t been prepared for and had no knowledge of in the least. He had no idea Aliya was thinking about opening a dance studio, let alone that she was finishing up her business degree. He needed to control the situation.
    “I’d love the chance to meet with the council to discuss it. I’ve been putting a proposal together.” Aliya looked at both the council members hoping she wasn’t surprising them and being too forthcoming with her ideas.
    Peter intervened before Jonathan could get in a word. “That space is kind of small for a studio. But, we would love to hear more about it.” He glanced at Myrtle on his right and she was in full agreement. “We can’t make any promises, but why don’t you head down to the tribal council and make an appointment.”
    “I’ll do that. Thank you so much,” Aliya gushed. She had been planning on doing that when her degree was finished, but space on the reserve was limited. She already knew there was talk about turning the old hall into a clinic or youth center for the children. She might as well give it a try now. It could be years before another space became available.
    “How perfect.” Jonathan tried to mask the sneer that he normally would have made under these circumstances. Instead he turned from the gushing Aliya giving her his back and effectively cutting her off. She was practically fawning all over the middle aged councilman. But now he knew her