A Beautiful Instrument

31: Love Finds A Way

Dinner with Jeremy closes out the crazy weekend on a high note. It's calm and safe. He cooked chicken marsala and I helped with the dishes afterward. We sat on the couch and watched a movie, cuddled in each other's arms.

As much as I wanted to stay the night, I had already resolved that I was going home for the evening in an effort to hold true at least partially to our plan to slow things down. He didn't make it easy on me as we made out like a couple of teenagers after the movie. But eventually, he walked me to my car, kissed me goodnight, and I went home to sleep in my own bed.

On Monday, I wake up excited for the week. We have practice everyday, leading up to Friday. The Donor Dinner is Tuesday and I have dinner plans with Alexis on Thursday night.

Before heading to practice I call Jay, the reporter, and we set up a time for him to interview me. When giving him my availability, I mention the Donor Dinner. He thinks it would be great to conduct the interview ahead of that event and snag some photos of me in my formal attire for the evening. Thankfully he doesn't mention what he witnessed the other night with Marcus and Keith again, but I am wary it may come up in the interview.

I arrive to rehearsal early so I can run through some of the primary series pieces. I am in one of the practice rooms playing when Jeremy arrives, poking his head in. My heart flutters just seeing him.

"Good morning, Analeigh. Mind if I join you for warm-up?" He greets me like a colleague.

"Not at all." He sets his case down and grabs a chair, setting it close by.

Before he walks over to get his instrument out, he puts his hand on my shoulder and looks down at me, dropping his voice low. "How are you today, beautiful?"

I kiss his hand and nuzzle my chin against his arm. "Glad to see you. I missed you last night."

He caresses my chin and slides his thumb over my lip. I purse my lips, kissing his finger. "I missed you, too. Might I meet you in dressing room three after rehearsal today so I can show you how much?"

I giggle and nod. His eyes flicker with wanting and he adjusts himself in his pants. I giggle again. He gripes. "I'm gonna have to deal with that all during practice now, thank you very much."

"Let's play." I advise.

Jeremy grins and takes out his cello. He sits and tunes for a minute and leans over to look at my music stand. He is touching me subtly and it excites me. "Will you share with me?"

I push him back playfully. He knows what he's doing. "You're being a flirt."

He points with his bow to my erect nipple. "You don't seem to mind."

I make a sound of indignation complete with a pouting face, adjust the music stand, and get into ready position. "Ready?"

He taps twice on his cello and on the third we start playing together. It's the first time just he and I have played together since my audition and although the piece is new, it sounds like we've been playing it together for years. As I turn the page, he smiles at me.

We continue playing until suddenly a harsh voice speaks above the harmony of our instruments. "Connors! My office, now!"

We both stop abruptly and look to the door. Friedrich stands there, red-faced. He gestures down the hall and stomps away.

"Uh, oh. Just remember what Ava said. Stay cool." I coach him.

"I'll try." He mutters. "Thanks for warming up with me. I'll see you out there."

He sneaks a kiss on my cheek and leaves the room. I decide to head out to the stage. Like last time, little by little the stage begins to fill with musicians.