Page 88 of Not Another Love Song

“Tell me everything about you, Gwen,” Dom said, stealing her away and forcing people off the couch so she could sit. “Where did you come from, where are you going?”

She considered making a “Cotton-Eyed Joe” reference, but restrained herself.

“I’m from here. Born in Queens. I’ve never gone anywhere.”

Dom’s blue eyes widened. “No way. You have to check out California one day.”

“Is that where you’re from?” she asked, knowing exactly where he was from.

“Yeah, but not the surfing part,” he said. “So you’re playing for the Pops. What’s next?”

His focus was unwavering as Gwen tried to think of how to respond.

“I don’t know. I think…I think the Pops is long-term. I’m first chair.”

“Right!” He raised his fist to bump. “That’s amazing. I played orchestra in high school but never ever wanted first chair. I bet it’s amazing.”

Gwen paused before answering. It was almost like an out-of-body experience. She also had never wanted a position like first chair when she was in high school. She had wanted to be exactly here. On a couch talking to Dominic of Thorne and Roses about violin. Or, perhaps, she’d wanted to be Dom.

“It’s a lot of pressure, but I love it.” That was what she landed on in response.

Dom’s attention was drawn over her shoulder when the group burst into cheers of welcome. She turned and found Ama Torres and a whole crew of people coming through the door, most of whom Gwen recognized from the New Jersey wedding—Ama’s florist boyfriend Elliot, the model/actress Hazel Renee, and a cute Asian girl who was holding her hand. Bringing up the rear was the stunning woman who had been the wedding photographer.

Dominic stood, ruffled his hair nervously, and grabbed Gwen’s arm. “Come here! Do you know the rest of the Sacramento crew?”

Before she could confirm that she did, Ama caught sight of her and pushed through everyone for a bone-crunching hug.

“I wasn’t aware you knew Mac personally before you did the wedding,” Gwen said when Ama released her.

“Oh, I didn’t. But we’re all besties now!”

Gwen watched as Dominic shook hands with Elliot, and then tried to say hi to the photographer, with little luck. She introduced herself to Gwen as Mar, Ama’s best friend, and pointedly ignored Dominic as he stood directly next to her with puppy-dog eyes for the next forty-five minutes.

The rest of the night was a bit of a blur. Alex’s friends playfully pried into his personal life by way of her, asking invasive questions and telling her embarrassing stories about him. Gwen found herself standing in the kitchen with all the girls a few hours later, comforting Chelsea while she cried over Carlos the drummer, of all people. Gwen watched in confusion as Sonya wrapped her arms around Chelsea, and Ama told her she was too good for him.

Jackie, Hazel’s wife, leaned into Gwen and whispered, “To be honest I thought she was into Alex.”

Gwen turned to her. “Oh, thank god. I thought I was making up things.”

Hazel slyly reached across them for a glass and murmured, “Trying to make Carlos jealous with Alex. That’s Chelsea’s way.” She winked at Gwen. “You’re safe.”

Gwen laughed, and Hazel fully turned to her. “Oh, wait. I have something for you!” Hazel pulled out a tube of lipstick that had the logo HR on the side. “A little birdie told me you need something that won’t smudge.”

Hazel wiggled her eyebrows at her, and Gwen flushed red and cursed Alex. She poured herself another glass of wine and almost immediately spilled it when she turned her eyes to the front door.

“Wait,” Gwen said. “Is that—?”

“Tabitha came!” Hazel sang out, and she ran to greet Tabitha Westlake—star of the vampire TV show that she and Jacob cleared their schedules for every Tuesday night.

Gwen gaped at the small blond woman as she shed her coat and threw her arms around Hazel for a hug. Gwen couldn’t believe it. She was living in a literal fantasy world.

“Hazel is joining the show for three episodes in the spring,” Jackie whispered to Gwen to explain how they knew Tabitha. Gwen’s fingers itched to text Jacob everything.

Jackie took Gwen over for an introduction, and Gwen managed to stammer something that might have resembled words.

“Gwen, good to meet you.” Tabitha shook her hand, and Gwen watched her perfect arm muscles flex with it.

“You are my absolute favorite character,” Gwen rushed out. “When you came back at the end of last season and drove your car through the vampire nest—oh my god, I died. I’m so glad Kiki survived.”

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