Page 86 of Not Another Love Song

“I can order you something,” he said, eyes bright and intense on her. “Anything you need, we can have it delivered.”

She bit her lip. “I’d really rather just run home. I have a closet full of clothes there and I can just pack a bag. Or, I mean…I don’t have to stay at your place twenty-four-seven if you don’t want—”

“I do. I do want.”

Gwen felt something flutter in her chest. She grinned at him as his hand came up to hold her jaw. He leaned down and kissed her softly in front of the entire orchestra as they packed up their instruments, but she couldn’t be bothered to care about it.

She cleared her throat and pressed her lips together. “So I’ll run by my place and then come back to yours, okay?”

He nodded, kissed her again, and didn’t take no for an answer when he grabbed Squeaky’s case from her so she would have one less thing to carry. Once he’d put on his shades and disappeared into the daylight, Gwen joined Ava, and they walked across the street.

Ava was incredible at small talk. Gwen was not as skilled. But once they settled at a table with their orders placed, Ava breathed and took a good long look at her.

“So. You and Alex.”

Her tongue was stuck to the roof of her mouth, so she took a sip of her iced tea before replying, “Um, yes.”

Ava nodded with a smile. “You didn’t have to keep that from us, you know. There’s no rules against it—”

“No, no!” Gwen sat forward. “It wasn’t a secret or…It just happened really fast.” Gwen looked down at the table awkwardly and began tearing her napkin into ribbons.

“Well, we’re happy for you. Both Nathan and I. God knows we faced our share of scrutiny and gossip over the years.” Ava brushed her hair away from her face. “Do you know what you’re doing for Thanksgiving?”

Gwen stared at her. She hadn’t even thought about Thanksgiving. Or Christmas. Or…President’s Day. For family gatherings, you were supposed to bring your…partner. Right? They were supposed to do these events together? Gwen usually spent Thanksgiving with Mabel, but she had no idea what Alex did.

“I don’t know. We haven’t talked about it.” She stared down into her glass.

“Well, Nathan and I would love to have you two over. Alex has always had a standing invitation, but he’s never shown.” She pressed her lips together and straightened her silverware. “And I know he was a bit upset about the idea of that duet, but I hope he reconsiders. It would be adorable. Audiences love that kind of thing, and your chemistry is to die for.”

“Yeah, I’ll talk to him about it. I think he probably just wanted to be consulted before it was announced.” Gwen stirred sugar into her iced tea. “But I think it’s a nice idea.”

Ava grinned and sat forward. “We’re negotiating for an open evening at Carnegie in February. We needed to pad our season with something, but Nathan had the idea that maybe you and Alex could do a duet showcase.”

Gwen choked, sputtering her drink. “Just the two of us?” Her eyes grew wide and her skin prickled.

“Well, you could always bring in a few collaborators, maybe a pianist, a percussionist. But it would be to highlight the two of you. You on violin. Alex—or Xander on cello.”

Her heart beat quickly. “Would that…I don’t know if it would be worth it for the Pops. Would we fill Carnegie Hall?”

“I’m more than positive that you would. Especially if Carnegie approves our date: February fourteenth.” Ava winked at her and let the waiter place her salad in front of her. Gwen gaped at the salt and pepper shakers as her soup appeared before her.

“So you want…So you were thinking of…for Valentine’s Day.”

“Think about it. But I think it would be stunning. There are so many arrangements for a violin and cello duet. And of course, we’d feature Alex’s original pieces.” She dipped her fork in her salad dressing and asked innocently, “Does he have… other pieces?”

“Yeah. Yes, he’s been writing more.” She grinned. “Sometimes I find him in his studio playing both instruments at once, and trying to record…”

Ava froze, her fork halfway to her lips. “He’s playing violin?”

Gwen met her eyes—glassy and eager. “Yeah, a bit. Just like, before I wake up or—”

Oh, god. She’d never talked to the mother of someone she’d seen naked. Was she supposed to pretend they weren’t having sex? Is that what normal people did?

“Relax, Gwen. You’re as pale as a sheet.” Ava took a bite of her salad as Gwen guzzled her entire glass of iced tea. “You know, he didn’t date a lot as a teenager. One or two girls, and they were usually his music partners.” She set her fork down and looked out the window with a hazy expression. “He was very focused and didn’t spend time on anything but the music. I just can’t tell you how lovely it is to see him with you. How much he cares about you.”

Gwen’s chest warmed, and she watched as Ava sniffed and considered her for a moment. “He’s been playing the violin? Truly?”

Gwen nodded. Ava pressed her eyes closed and took a deep breath, like she was savoring something. She brushed her lashes and then continued their conversation, asking Gwen how her bowing for “Sleigh Ride” was going.

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