A Beautiful Instrument

45: Not My First Time Being Invited

We drive Ivy to the restaurant since she isn't from around here. Jeremy holds my hand, but I can tell he is on edge by how quiet he is. Dinner isn't any better. Ivy gets a phone call and excuses herself from the table.

I seize the opportunity to talk to him. "Jeremy, I'm sorry for not supporting you back at the concert hall."

"Do you think it's true, Leigh? That we've lost our spark already?" He asks, staring at bread crumbs on the table instead of looking at me.

"Of course I don't believe that! I love you and you still give me butterflies and make my toes curl." I share.

"But you didn't feel it from my composition. Leigh, I need you to be honest with me from now on. You're my muse, love. I trust you like I trust my own heart." He finally looks at me. I see desperation to please in his eyes.

"I will. I promise, but please don't take it as me saying your work isn't good. It is." I stress.

"I know, Leigh. I love you." The whole time we were talking I was running my fingers through his hair. I pull him by the back of his neck to kiss me when he says he loves me. He presses his forehead to mine following our kiss. "That woman is in my head. I really don't like her questioning what we have."

"I know, but she's just trying to meet Derek's expectations. Also, we know she's known for her boldness. I mean look at the first series she is conducting." I point out the incredibly ambitious choice Ivy made for her debut as assistant music director. It's ballsy.

Jeremy muses. "The Suburbia Collection. It's definitely modern. I'm actually looking forward to the Halloween film scores that she wants to do afterwards."

"See? Let's enjoy what's next and not fret about February. I don't want four months of angst." I say.

"You're right." He agrees.

"Aren't you two sweet?" Ivy says in a sarcastic tone. We pull apart. I can see Jeremy's jaw clench. Ivy has really rubbed him the wrong way. I rake my nails up his leg under the table and he looks at me.

I say to the table. "I actually have an idea I was planning to run past Aldridge to assist us with our image. I think we should do a sultry photoshoot to promote the show. It might get everyone primed for what's to come."

Jeremy lifts an eyebrow. Ivy looks amused. "Like boudoir style?"

"Yep. If you don't want us to be seen as the orchestra's sweethearts then we have to offer them something spicier." I conclude.

Ivy taps her sharp chin. "Interesting play. Jeremy?"

He shrugs. "Whatever Analeigh feels comfortable with."

Ivy stares at him hard. "But what do you want?"

Jeremy speaks through gritted teeth. "To please my girlfriend."

"Well, that's sweet." She comments boredly. And here we go again. Somehow we've cycled back to sour moods. I shouldn't have mentioned this.

"So after Suburbia you mentioned a Halloween show? Can we dress in costume?" I ask grasping at straws.

"Oh that would be remarkably fun! I love Halloween." Ivy exclaims.

"Me too!" I say overly enthusiastic to have found something that makes her more human.

"What about you, Jeremy?" Ivy asks.

Jeremy grumps. "If I agree are you going to think I'm just saying it because I love my girlfriend?"

"Jeremy." I say quietly.

"It's fine Analeigh. I deserve that. I know it seems like I'm being hard on your relationship. Let me just say I am warranted in wanting to protect you both as talented musicians. You don't want to live in the shadow of each other and if they start to see you as the Brangelina of this orchestra, you'll always be sold as a package deal. And then if you break up or simply just want your privacy, there is no reverting to the way things were." She further explains herself.