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The keys beckoned her, fingers itching to dance across their smooth surfaces.

Charlotte found peace in the time signatures inked into the score. No decisions to be made. Just follow the composition, straying only when the mood struck.

Ali floated in behind her, her voice the exaggerated accent and pitch she picked for Willow. “Finally, a dwelling befitting my station in life.”

Willow started kneading biscuits into the cushion, her purr filling the room.

They watched Willow for a few minutes, Charlotte not-so-subtly adding a few items to an online cart.

“She has everything she needs,” Ali protested.

“Yes. But does she have everything she deserves?” Charlotte countered, selecting different varieties of catnip. “Besides, she needs a welcome gift.”

Ali rolled her eyes, but gave up with a shrug, moving to sit beside Willow.

Charlotte straightened, realizing she still hadn’t given Ali her other present.

“Don’t move,” Charlotte ordered, rushing off to the garage where she stashed it. She returned with a square gift bag and held it out. “For you, my darling.”

A slow grin warmed Ali’s face and she inspected the gift bag.

Tissue paper exploded into a cloud as Ali reached in and pulled out a thick stack of records, tossing the bag aside.

“Treasures!” Ali declared, flipping through and assessing the covers.

“They um—” Charlotte hesitated, a soft flush dusting her cheeks as she moved to sit on her piano stool. “They have a song in common.”

Ali flipped one over, scanning the titles. She skimmed over the next one, finding the match immediately. Her eyes narrowed before she gasped, a sharp intake of air filling her lungs.

“It’s the song we danced to at the wedding.”

Charlotte nodded. “Lilah helped me scour three separate record stores to find them.”

Ali pressed her lips together, eyes shining. Charlotte lifted the fall board, revealing the array of black and white keys.

“You love me,” Ali murmured, hugging the records to her chest.

Charlotte traced the shape of her, committing the look of wonder on her face to memory. The words came easily, her tone hushed.

“From the first moment I saw you.”

Stacks of sheet music lay in teetering piles atop the piano. Charlotte set her foot over the pedal, her fingers alighting on the keys as she took a breath and began to play the very song they danced to, gentle notes wafting about the room. She lost herself to the music her fingers created; each note carrying one worry or another away until her head was empty, save for the music and Ali.

Dressed in sweat pants and one of her sleep shirts, Ali drifted closer as the notes colored their world with sound. Charlotte realized she would play until her fingers went numb if it kept that joyful expression on Ali’s face.

Ali leaned forward, resting the top half of her body on the piano lid, pressing her ear to the polished wood, hands splayed as she soaked up the vibrations.

As Charlotte played through the piece, the world once again fell away as music filled every corner. Her eyes fluttered closed, fingers playing in perfect tempo. Rustling followed by a small huff told her Ali climbed fully atop the piano. And when no spark of irritation came, Charlotte knew Ali could get away with anything.

Charlotte sucked in a sharp breath.

Coffee-dark eyes were heavy with desire and understanding. Her chin rested in her hands, elbows braced on the glossy surface, feet pointed lazily toward the ceiling.

The collar of her oversized T-shirt dipped low, offering Charlotte a teasing glimpse of the small, perky breasts she adored. Her gold locket dangled between them, catching the light.

Charlotte swallowed thickly. The look in those eyes similar to the way she gazed at Ali while she painted her.

Adoration and yearning.