Page 63 of The Mouse and the Maestro

“Because Blue’s going to need a teacher. Come with me.” Amelia took her hand and led her next door where Blue stood in the center of the room. Or at least she thought it was Blue. It might easily have been a GQ model. He was polished, put together, well-tailored, and blond.

“Whoa,” Jane whispered, taking in the sight of him.

His eyes brushed over her with no recognition. They fell to the door behind her, then to Amelia. “Is Jane almost done?”

Beaming now, Amelia put her arm around Jane and drew her front and center. “Jane Dunbar, may I introduce Blue Bishop?” She gave Jane a little push. Jane stumbled, causing Blue to put out his hands to catch her. He grasped her hands and drew her closer, inspecting her as if she were a foreign object.

“Jane?” he whispered. “Is this the real Jane or did you kill her and make a replica?”

“Turns out this one was in there all along,” Amelia said. “Oh, hey, I almost forgot. I have one more thing for you.” She held up a tie, handing it to Blue.

“Uh, I don’t know how to tie this,” he said.

Amelia nudged Jane. “I do,” Jane said softly. She took the tie, shook it out, and stood on her toes to slip it around Blue’s neck.

“How do you know how to tie a man’s tie?” he asked.

Her eyes met his. Was that a hint of jealousy in his tone or was it her imagination? “My dad.”

“Ah,” he said. “Look at you with the sleeve tats.” He touched her arms where she wore literal sleeves with pictures of tattoos on them. Over that, Amelia had put a leather bustier atop a leather skirt. She looked punk but still with an air of sweetness. Now that he saw the change, he realized he wouldn’t have been able to stand it if she looked hard.

“A blue tie,” Jane said, smoothing it flat after she finished tying it. “Nice touch.” Her eyes met Blue’s again. “You look rather spectacular.”

“Yeah?” he asked, smiling.

She nodded. Her hands seemed to have a mind of their own, first smoothing over his chest and then down his arms, ending at his hands where they clasped fingers.

“You’re possibly the only person who could wear a leather bustier and still look innocent,” he said. “I love the hair. So adorable.” His fingers brushed the ends of her barely there pixie cut.

“Thank you. Do you think we’ll fit at the place we’re going?” she asked.

“I think we fit perfectly,” he said, smiling as he swung their joined hands between them.

Jane inched closer, pressing her body lightly to his. “It’s been a long six months, Blue.”

“The longest,” he agreed. His hands let go of hers and rested lightly on her hips. “Jane…” His phone buzzed. They froze.

“Work?” she guessed.

“I’d say they’re probably wondering where we are,” he said.

“I guess we’d better go,” she said.

“Yes.” He let her go, clasped her hand, and led her back to the main portion of the salon where Amelia was cleaning her station. He cleared his throat. Amelia looked up at him with an expectant smile.

“Thank you, Amelia,” he said.

“Are we even?” Amelia asked.

“All debts are paid and then some,” he replied.

“Well then you’re welcome, Papa Bear. PS. Let me know how the night turns out.”

“It’s classified,” he told her.

“Not the parts I want to hear,” she said, tossing them a wink and a wave before returning to her work.

Chapter 27

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