Of Damsels & Dragons by Nona Mae King
~*~
Mr. Harrison replaced the ribbon bookmark within Hamlet with a deliberate action. Amy finished her thought on the script, nearing the ending scene of the first act of the movie, and then changed her gaze to his profile. He is definitely a handsome man. Like he stepped straight off a Barbara Cartland novel. She smiled. Leave it to the English.
“Miss Burke,” he began as he closed the book, “I want to apologize for my attitude yesterday.” Mr. Harrison moved his startling blue eyes to meet Amy’s gaze. “You have been more than civil, considering.”
Amy gave a slight shrug. “I suppose I have, in your field of experience. But my philosophy has always been to let bygones be bygones. Not only that, I shouldn’t judge a person until I walk a mile in their shoes.” Amy chuckled as she pointed at his Italian-leather loafers. “I think I would step right out of yours, so I’ll just be content with my size 7 and leave you to your… 11?”
Mr. Harrison changed his thoughtful expression to his shoes.
When he didn’t respond, Amy’s smile faded. She tilted her head as she watched his profile. “Are you okay?”
Mr. Harrison looked back to her with a serious expression. “Yes. Thank you.” He stood to his feet and offered her a hand.
Amy smiled again and handed him the script instead of the expected hand. Then she stood of her own accord while gathering her purse and empty coffee cup. She discarded the coffee cup in the available trash, strapped her purse across herself, and then accepted the script. Mr. Harrison looked a little surprised.
“Normally I would ask if you wanted to come up for a refill on your coffee, but I don’t think you would appreciate my roommate’s attention,” Amy said, still smiling. “She has less-than-glorious opinions of you.” Amy lifted a hand, turning her head away. “Don’t bother saying anything. I’ve already told her that she shouldn’t believe everything she reads in those papers. I’ve also told her that you are a busy man who takes his job seriously. Renee knows that if she wants to say anything more, she better do so to a brick wall.”
Mr. Harrison slightly chuckled, drawing Amy’s attention as she lowered her hand. “I am quite familiar with negative judgments, Miss Burke. I doubt your roommate’s opinion shall cause any damage to my ego. Max claims I have enough to spare.”
Amy laughed, then she motioned ahead down the trail. “Well then, if you don’t mind glares and daggers from her, you’re more than welcome to stay for dinner.” Mr. Harrison didn’t move down the trail, so neither did Amy. He did change his gaze down it, though. “Mr. Harrison, you don’t have to come. I’m just doing the neighborly thing and inviting you. I understand if you don’t want to accept. After all, you wouldn’t want to break your own rule about fraternizing.”
“No, I suppose I wouldn’t,” he admitted absently. Mr. Harrison regarded the trail a moment more before changing his gaze to hers. “Miss Burke, thank you again for the invitation; both of them.”
Amy nodded. “You’re welcome, Mr. Harrison. And call me Amy.”
Mr. Harrison presented his hand. Amy accepted it this time. He gently gripped it. “If you have questions... Amy, don’t hesitate to ask.”
Amy smiled. “I won’t. Thank you, Mr. Harrison.” They released hands. “You have a nice evening.”
He nodded with a slight twitch to his lips before moving away down the trail. Amy stared after him, still smiling, and hugged the script to her chest. He’s a nice man, when given the chance. Probably has a reason to be defensive. Just look at his life. Women throwing themselves at him, audience demanding his full performance each and every night, no retreat to rediscover who he is... Amy shook her head and lowered her gaze to the cobble walk at her feet. Poor guy. He needs a vacation.
Amy took in a deep breath with a slight rise to her shoulders before stepping forward toward home.