Page 56 of The Mouse and the Maestro

“Nothing’s ever really over,” Blue said.

“Amen to that,” Nick agreed, nudging Jane.

She reached for her phone and discovered she had left it in her bedroom. “I can’t now. I have a busy couple of weeks coming up.”

“I don’t think you understand—I’m only asking as a formality. I’m here to bring you in.”

“Are you telling me I don’t have a choice over whether or not I work with you?” she said.

“Not when it’s a matter of life and death,” he replied.

“Does this have anything to do with your da…” Nick began, but Jane cut him off.

“No, I’ll explain when it’s over,” Jane promised.

“Probably not because it will still be classified,” Blue added. “You should pack some things. It might be a while.”

“I don’t like this,” Jane said.

“You can tell me all about it in the car,” Blue said. “Do you need help with the packing?” he added when she remained rooted to the spot.

“No.” She blinked at him, her mind slowly coming to terms with two things: first he was standing in her living room asking her to come with him. Again. Second, despite trying hard to put him out of her mind and get over him in the intervening six months since she’d last seen him, she was ridiculously and overtly in love with him. Also, she was staring at him or, rather, she was staring at his mouth.

“Pack,” the mouth said, and she finally tore her gaze away and headed for her bedroom.

Once there, she closed the door and leaned against it, feeling slightly woozy. “What did he want?” Emily whispered.

“He needs me.”

“He needs you?” Emily asked hopefully.

“For a work thing. Consulting. I have to pack things.”

“Can’t move away from the door, can you?” Emily guessed.

“Not if I want to stay upright.” She bent over and released a puff of air. “How am I going to do this, Em? How am I going to see him again and pretend it means nothing and then say goodbye?”

“Maybe you won’t. Maybe the work thing is a cover. Maybe he just wants to see you,” Emily suggested helpfully.

“If that’s the case, where’s he been the last six months?” Jane stood upright, shaking her head. “No, I was always the instigator there, always more into it than he was. But not this time. I’m going to play it cool, keep myself in check.” Someone knocked on the door behind her. Jane yelped, stumbled forward, and fell into a heap on the floor before sitting up on all fours like a dog.

“Starting now, you mean,” Emily asked.

“That didn’t count. Starting now, I’m going to be cool,” Jane said, using the bed to pull herself back to a standing position. “Who is it?”

“Jane, not to bug you, but kind of time sensitive here,” Blue called.

“Yes, I’m coming.” Turning to Emily she added, “Help me.”

“You get your toiletries, I’ll gather your clothes,” Emily said, springing into action. She tossed Jane’s suitcase onto the bed and began gathering things to put into it while Jane whipped open the door and ran face first into Blue who was still on the other side.

“Okay?” he asked, grasping her biceps to keep her upright.

“Nose print,” Jane blurted.

“No,” Blue replied.

“I meant I think I left a nose print on your chest when I bounced off it,” Jane explained.

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