My stomach rumbled at the mere thought of food. “That sounds great. I had no idea Sean could cook.”
“He’s always been a decent cook,” Jeremy said with a smile. “But when he stepped back from working at the hotel so much, he decided to learn how to make a wider variety of meals. He’s gotten quite good at it.”
“I look forward to enjoying his cooking skills.” I gestured toward my piano. “I just have to pack up my tablet and make sure all the keyboards are off.”
“I can check the keyboards while you pack up,” he said.
Once the classroom was locked and the building secure, we headed out to Jeremy’s car. After I slid into the passenger seat of his Mercedes and buckled my seatbelt, he turned to face me and asked, “What’s bothering you?”
I opened my mouth to say I was fine, then sighed and shook my head. Jeremy had been a good friend to me and had helped me in ways I could never fully repay. I let out a soft sigh. “I havetrouble making friends. I lost all my friends from high school and college when my ex-boyfriend started isolating me. After I finally got away from him, I just didn’t try again.”
I smiled ruefully. “You helped me get used to playing in front of an audience, so that’s not a problem for me anymore. But hanging out with people just chatting?” I shook my head. “I feel awkward and out of place. I always think people are judging me, or they just won’t like me because I’m boring. Lately, I’ve been trying more. It’s hard, but I’m making myself do it because I want a better life. I’m tired of being alone all the time.” I blew out a slow breath. “This dinner tonight is bringing up a lot of those insecure feelings.”
Jeremy nodded in understanding. “I get it. After my accident and subsequent breakdown, I had a very difficult time being around anyone but my best friend and his boyfriend. It took me a while to feel comfortable in groups of people, even after I was able to get back to performing in public. Give yourself time. People like you more than you realize. You just have to allow yourself to believe it.”
Warmth filled my chest. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”
“You’re welcome,” he replied with a smile. He started the car and pulled out of the parking space. “You know you can talk to me any time. I may not understand your situation completely, but I know what it’s like to have to start over.”
“Thanks,” I murmured. My throat was constricted. I hadn’t had a real friend in so long. It felt good to have it again.
We spent the rest of the ten-minute drive talking about his school and my new substitute contract. He asked me to work with him in another master class at Juilliard since the first one was so popular. The date hadn’t been set yet, so we could work it around both our schedules. My nerves came back in full force when he pulled into the driveway of a large home with agorgeous wraparound front porch. It was only when I got out of the car that I realized it was directly across from Moonlight Inn, the hotel Sean owned.
“Wow, this house is beautiful. You’re so lucky it’s right next to Sean’s hotel.”
Jermey smiled proudly. “I love it. It came up for sale last spring, so I jumped on it. The funny part is, Sean bid on it first, and I outbid him. We were both trying to surprise the other, so neither of us mentioned it.”
I chuckled. “That is pretty funny. It’s good you both liked the place.”
Jeremy walked toward the front porch. “Oh yes. We were both in love with the house long before it went on the market. I wouldn’t have done it otherwise.”
When Jeremy opened the front door, I was met with the delicious aroma of the meal Sean was preparing. I took a deep breath. “That smells wonderful.”
“Thank you,” Sean said from the doorway to the living room. He went over to Jeremy and kissed him tenderly. “Hey, baby. Did you have a good day?”
Jeremy melted into his arms. “I did.”
Sean up-nodded me. “Hey, Greg. How’s it going?”
“Very well, thank you,” I said and immediately wanted to kick myself for sounding so formal.
Sean stepped away from his husband and said, “Come on in. Liam and Marco are on their way.”
I followed them through the wide archway into the large living room, where a gorgeous ebony baby grand piano stood in pride of place by the front windows. I had to stop myself from detouring to it to run my fingers over the keys. Gleaming hardwood floors were dotted with strategically placed accent rugs that highlighted the room’s beauty while also giving it a cozy feel. A comfortable-looking slate-blue sofa and twooverstuffed armchairs were arranged in front of a red brick fireplace.
Sean kept walking through another room dominated by a huge sectional sofa and an impressively large flat-screen television. Through the next archway was a dining room with a table that could seat ten people. The room opened to a kitchen that would have any chef salivating. A granite-topped island surrounded by six padded stools stood in the center.
Sean waved toward the island. “Have a seat. Can I pour you a glass of wine?”
“That would be great,” I replied.
Jeremy went to the refrigerator and pulled out a charcuterie tray. He set it on the island next to a plate of crackers. “Help yourself.”
I almost told them they shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble for me, but luckily, I stopped myself before the words left my mouth. Instead, I took a piece of cheese and a cracker. “Thank you.”
I heard the front door open, and Liam called out, “We’re here!”
“In the kitchen,” Sean responded.
