“I hope so.”Zee exhaled a nervous sigh as he pulled into the long curving driveway of Nora’s friend, Owen.“We’re here.”
“I’m always happy to meet a friend of Nora’s and I have heard of Owen over the years.He’s a talented musician.”
So are you, Zee wanted to say but he refrained.Ella didn’t see herself that way.At most she’d describe herself as a piano player.
Zee’s throat tightened.
Once Ella stepped out of his car and headed up that driveway, everything in their whole universe was going to change.
Fuck it, he was ready for it.
“Ella.I want you to promise me something.”
“Okay.”A curious light came into her eyes and an indulgent smile spread across her lips.
“Say yes to the next question you’re asked.”
Maybe it was how serious his tone was or the desperate look in his eyes that made her exhale a sigh of her own.
He pressed a thumb to her lips and cocked an eyebrow as he watched the questions come into her eyes.
The second she made peace with not having those questions answered and obeyed, she glanced down.
“I will, Master.”
Satisfied that he had her promise, he came around and opened her door for her before guiding her up the driveway to the brick bungalow with a curved porch.
Zee’s palms were sweaty as he reached up and knocked on the door.
Fortunately, he didn’t have to wait long, because Nora swung the door open, ushering them in, giving her oldest friend a hug.
“Come on, Ella!”Nora’s tone was cheerful.“This is where Owen holds gatherings for musicians and intimate performances.Wait till you see the piano.”
“I finally get to meet Owen?”
“Oh no, he’s across the country.Do you know he also rents out his house as a short-term rental?”
“What’s going on, Zee?If we are in Nora’s way we could just go back home.”
“We have a surprise for you,” Zee said, his voice somehow steady despite his nerves.
With the biggest grin on her face, Nora led them through a modern open-plan living-dining room combo to an addition and through a set of stately glass doors.
“What kind of surprise?It’s not my birthday.”
“No, dear heart, but it could be something worth celebrating.”
“Zee… what’s going on?”She grabbed his hand as they followed Nora through the house until she stopped at the threshold of an open space with high ceilings and a grand piano.
Zee’s heart danced in triple time as Ella’s face lit up with joy.
“Madison!Annie!”She rushed to their daughters, throwing her arms around them, tears leaking down her face.
“Surprise!”Zee joined the hug, not wanting to let any of them go, joining in with their laughter.
“What are you doing here?”
“Mom.”Maddie swept back her hair over her ear, her gesture so like her mom’s it wasn’t hard to tell her apart from her twin.
