I nod. “Why?”
“You just let out a big sigh.”
Of course I did. I’m lamenting the fact that Ryder will never see me as a romantic interest. “Just a lot of physical exertion,” I fib.
“Don’t worry. We’re almost there.” He points ahead at a building across the city center that I can’t quite place. It’s been nearly two years since I walked through these streets.
We reach the city center, pass the fountain, and keep walking down Main Street. Ryder steps into an alleyway and opens a door.
“Suspicious,” I comment. “I like it.”
“Of course you do,” he replies, holding the door open for me as I walk through. The building is dark, and I don’t know where I am, but I feel the thrill of excitement. Ryder passes me and walks ahead, guiding me down a corridor that leads to…
A stage.
A stage with wooden floors, red curtains…
And a black grand piano in the center.
Ryder turns and holds his arms out, showcasing the piano. I stand frozen in place, blinking a few times before I’m convinced that this isn’t a dream. Inhaling sharply, my hands shake as they rise to my heart.
“A…a piano.” The words come out of my mouth softly.
“Yes,” he says with a smile.
Tears prick my eyes. “You brought me here…to play the piano.”
His arms drop, and I see the uncertainty in his eyes. “I thought you’d like?—”
No longer frozen, I run and launch myself intoRyder’s arms. I bury my head in his chest and wrap my arms around his waist, squeezing tight. “Thank you,” I say, my voice muffled.
He stays still for a moment, then gently wraps his arms around me. “You haven’t even played yet.”
“This is more meaningful than I think you understand.” I tilt my head up to look at him, blinking away the tears that are clouding my vision. “Thank you.”
He looks down at me, his gaze intense. I think he’s a little shocked at my reaction, and I feel his heart pounding in his chest. The butterflies in my stomach are fluttering out of control.
No, Lily. Focus on the piano.
I step back, out of Ryder’s grasp, and walk around him to the grand piano. It’s a Yamaha, not quite the Steinway that I had at home in Silver Lake City, but still a beautiful instrument. Gingerly, I lower myself to take a seat on the bench before remembering how late it is. I look over at Ryder, my brow furrowed. “I can play this? Right now?”
Ryder nods and gestures over to the audience. “Rufus is the security guard overnight here. I cleared it with him.”
I glance over the empty seats and see Rufus, the town security guard. He raises a hand in greeting, and I wave back, then he disappears through the door into the lobby of the theater.
I look back at Ryder. “What will you do?”
He gestures at the seats. “I’ll sit there and wait for you. Make sure nothing dangerous happens.” He says it with a grin.
I swallow. “I haven’t really performed for anyone in a while.”
“Don’t think of it as a performance. Here.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone. “I’ll read a book while you play. I won’t even pay attention.” He turns and heads down the stairs on the side of the stage, taking a seat in the front row of the auditorium. He holds up his phone and makes a bigproduction of turning it on, showing me that he’s opening his e-book and settling into his seat to read.
Well, okay. If he’s not listening too intently, I can really go for it. I brush my fingers over the keys, and my lips tremble with emotion, so close to tears. I press middle C, trying to get a feel for how heavy the keys are. Every piano is different, and it affects the way you play. The note rings out through the theater, and it seems this piano’s keys feel pretty similar to my piano at home. I adjust the bench seat, since I’m so short, and press the pedals a few times.
“Any day now, Lily,” Ryder calls out from the audience.
“I thought you weren’t listening,” I call back.
