A Beautiful Instrument

27: I am Now

Back at my place, I'm getting ready to go out when I hear Alexis enter the apartment. "Leigh? You're here?"

"Haha. Yeah, I'll be right out." I call to her.

"No need." Alexis enters my room and dramatically falls on the bed. Her expression is dreamy and I'm guessing it has to do with a certain bassist I know.

"So?" I prompt.

She sighs. "We made up. He was incredibly romantic. We stayed up and talked for hours, made love, talked some more. I understand him more now."

"That's great." I pull on a jacket and inspect my look in the mirror.

"Jeremy's a lucky fella. And sure you can borrow my jacket." She teases.

"Thanks Alexis. And I'm not seeing Jeremy until later. He has a show same as Manny. I'm catching up with Marcus. Are you interested in joining us?" I invite her.

"No can do. Meeting with an incoming troupe director for a new show. Speaking of Marcus, spill!" She urges.

Alexis, my best friend, gets the unedited version of last night with Marcus and Friedrich. "So he seriously threatened Friedrich?"

"It really hit him hard. The way Friedrich was treating me. I think there's something in his past that this awoke in him. I've never seen Marcus like that." I admit.

"Do you think it's enough?" Alexis questions. Conversation moves to the aftermath and then my night with Jeremy. "Awww! That's so romantic. Did you say it back to him?"

I nod. "I did."

"And you feel it?"

"I do. I know it's fast but when I'm with him, I'm consumed by him. It's like there's nothing else, but him. I've never had that happen before." I confess.

"So it's different than Keith?" Alexis quizzes.

I don't even have to think. "It is. Jeremy doesn't try to buy my love. Keith spoiled me with things, Jeremy spoils me just by being him."

Alexis giggles. "Yeah, you sound like you're in love, for sure."

I sigh. Yeah, I am. I glance at my fitness band. "Oh shoot! I need to scoot. Love you, Lexi."

She teases. "As much as you love Jeremy?"

"Silly girl! Yes, and then some!" I tell her matter-of-factly.

I arrive at Bold, parking a few blocks away and walking instead of valeting. Marcus is waiting out front for me. He grins when he sees me. "There's my woman."

He surprises me by tilting his head to my face as he greets me. I push my hands against his chest, stopping him. "Whoa Marcus, where you headed with this?"

"Relax, baby girl. Just your cheek. You're on high alert, aren't you?" He pulls back to look me in the eyes.

I apologize. "Yeah, sorry. All that business with Friedrich has me on edge."

Marcus raises an eyebrow. "But it's over now?"

"Time will tell, right? But for now...yes." I answer.

We settle in for dinner and fall into our normal, easy conversation. I'm laughing at a bit Marcus is explaining when the seat across from me is pulled out and Keith pops down into it.

"Sorry, I'm late." Keith says.

I curse. "What the literal fuck?"

"Keith. What can we do for you, man?" Marcus asks impatiently.