“I might have to side with Dan on this one. How does that even work?”
“Sandbags hold down the keys,” Ally explains. She speaks with her hands, her face animated and her voice excited. “The performance started years ago, with the instructions of seventeen months of silence. There’ll be a note change during our honeymoon. People gathered to witness the last note change.”
“That’s not music,” Dan teases.
“It’s avant-garde and we’re traveling to Germany for it.”
“I know, baby. Any passion of yours is automatically important to me.”
I don’t doubt my brother for a second. During dinner, every time Ally spoke about her studies at Juilliard, Dan listened intently. He raved about her performances. I didn’t know this about him, but he has decent piano skills too, all for the sake of taking an interest in Ally’s passion.
The three of us chat about the wedding for the remainder of the drive. With the wedding less than two months away and Ally new to her studies, they say the honeymoon will be delayed until Christmas.
Before I know it, the car pulls up in front of Felix’s cocktail lounge.
Dan glances back at me. “I’m not sure you’ve thought this plan through. You think you can gain access to the speakeasy? Felix only lets you enter on Mom’s anniversary when we’re all together.”
Shit. He’s right. I didn’t think this through at all.
Ally clears her throat. “I know I shouldn’t interfere, but Harper told me they’ve been spending a lot of time in the penthouse.”
“Another dead end,” I groan. “The doorman has been given orders to deny my entrance.”
“I can try calling Felix to meet us out front.”
Before I can discard that option, Ally has her phone pressed to her ear. After a long pause, she tucks her phone away. “No answer.” She chews her bottom lip, looking back and forth at me and Dan, concocting another plan. “You and Dan look very similar. If you approach the building with me, perhaps the doorman will mistake you for Dan.”
“Ally…” I hesitate, smoothing my hair. “I appreciate your willingness, but you shouldn’t get involved.”
“Agreed,” Dan tells her.
“Iwantto help,” she urges. “Felix can get angry at me if he wants. I don’t care.”
I’m not pleased about involving Ally, but I run through my options, not seeing any other path of success. “Okay. Let’s give this a try.”
Dan sighs. “My word of advice? Don’t do this. Either of you. It will backfire.”
“We’ll be fine.” Ally kisses him on the cheek and steps out of the car.
I follow her to the sidewalk, knowing Dan is most certainly right and there will be repercussions. But unlike other times, I’m not here to discuss Harper and the three of us reuniting.
Ally and I bypass the cocktail loungeon the first floor, arriving on the level above where a doorman monitors the residence entrance to the high-rise.
Acting as a couple, Ally links arms with me, pretending to laugh as we approach the doorman. “Hi, I’m here to see my brother, Felix Blackwood. I know it’s late, but can you let him know Ally and Dan are here. We need to discuss something important with him.”
“Of course,” the man says, opening the door for us. “Step inside please. Make yourself comfortable while I contact the penthouse.”
Ally squeezes my hand with excitement as soon as we pass the doorman. I’m shocked her plan worked. Now all that’s left to do is wait and hope Felix meets with us.
The lobby is quiet at this time of night. Ally lets go of my arm and we stand by the elevators.
Within a minute, the doorman calls to us, “Mr. Blackwood will be down in one moment.”
With my hands stuffed in my jacket pockets and my heart pounding like I’ve sprinted a race, I watch the elevator dial lower as Felix travels down the building.
“Thanks for getting me this far, but you should go now,” I tell Ally. “I meant what I said about not wanting to involve you in this mess.”
“If you’re sure. Good luck.”
