“God, yes.” She sighs. “Today was stressful. All I want is to bury myself under the covers and sleep.” She climbs in and fastens her seat belt.
A thread of concern works its way through me. “Did something happen?”
“It’s silly.”
I lean over her and cup her cheek, making her look at me. “Tell me. Please.”
“One of my students, a new girl…” She bites her bottom lip. “She was struggling with pliés, and she ended up crying. I’m so emotional lately, I cried too. That triggered some other girls to break into tears as well. It was one big crying mess instead of a class. It took Nastya and a ton of glitter to calm us all down.”
No matter how hard I fight it, a smile overtakes me.
She rolls her eyes, but her lips twitch. “Don’t make fun of me.”
“I’m not. You’re too cute.” I kiss her temple and move away so I can close the door.
Once I’m inside the car, my nerves get the best of me, making my stomach twist. Tapping my fingers on the steering wheel, I take a deep breath, grounding myself. “I have a little surprise for you.”
“Aren’t flowers enough?” she teases, hugging them to her chest.
“Never enough.” I wink at her. “Is it okay if I take you somewhere? It’s not far.”
“By ‘somewhere,’ do you mean your penthouse?”
“I’m a creative creature, Ry baby. Do you really think I’m that boring?”
She lifts her shoulder. “Dunno. You are much older than me. Anything is possible.”
“The hits keep coming. Can’t a man catch a break?” I tease as I start the engine. “So, do I have your permission?”
“How can I say no to a man who brings me such beautiful flowers?”
As I pull out of the parking lot, some of my nervousness subsides. “They remind me of your eyes. So vividly blue.”
“Blue is my favorite color.” She twirls a lock of her blue hair around her finger.
“Mine too. All because of a girl with eyes the color of twilight and blue strands in her golden blonde hair.”
“Kiss-ass,” she murmurs, her cheeks turning pink.
“Just being honest,” I state as I focus on the road.
As we stepinto the small theater, an older man greets us. Glenn hired him to man the door tonight. My manager helped me arrange the surprise, promising no one else would be here.
With Riley’s hand in mine, I lead her into the auditorium. Hundreds of empty seats stretch in front of us, and a single spotlight shines on the piano at center stage. I’ve done lots of shows and performed in front of thousands of people, but I’ve never been quite as nervous as I am now.
Her footsteps echo as she follows me down the aisle. Her warm hand in mine helps me recenter myself.
When we reach the front row, I turn to her. “Remember that melody I tried to figure out after…” I choke on my words, my heart racing. That day is filled with memories, some incredible, others not. That’s the day I pushed her away. It’s the day before she left.
She squeezes my hand. “I do. What about it?”
“I finished it, and I want you to be the first to hear it.”
She looks around the empty hall. “And you booked the whole theater so you could play it for me?”
“I would’ve booked the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway if I could organize it quick enough.”
“You’re such a show-off.” She shakes her head as she settles into a seat. “But I’d love to hear the song anyway.”
