Page 16 of Arrogant and Merciless

“I wasn’t too serious about it . . .I mean, I loved playing, but I didn’t know any musicians besides her. Everyone talks about becoming a doctor or a lawyer.”

“But it was what you loved?”

“It still is. Anyway, Mrs. Ennis arranged for me to be taught by an even better teacher. When I was twelve, I did a solo performance at school, and in the audience, by chance, was the director of the New York Philharmonic—he was the uncle of one of the students performing that night too. Imagine that. I’m from Goshen, a town of fewer than ten thousand people, and he ‘discovered’ me there.”

“Discovered?” I ask, glancing at her again.

“Manner of speaking,” she says a little too quickly, and now I’m certain she feels shy about it.

“And what happened?”

“He offered me a scholarship. I would’ve had to move. My dad got sick right after that. I was never going to leave him. But it was a nice dream.”

“Don’t you miss it?”

“If you could never practice your profession again, would you miss it?”

“Yes.”

“Well, there’s your answer. But the doctor told us my dad didn’t have long. I wanted to spend all the time he had left with him.”

“Maryann said he only passed away about a year ago. You said you got that offer at twelve.”

“He lived a lot longer than anyone expected.”

“What did he have?”

“Liver cirrhosis.” The way she says it makes it clear she doesn’t like discussing it, especially when she adds, “He was the best father in the world.”

That defensive note means my hunch was right: he was probably an alcoholic. As if that settles it, she closes her eyes and leans back in the seat.

I don’t say anything else. Everyone has the right to be silent.

Half an hour later, I park in front of the bar where she works, unable to hide my distaste.

“I get good tips,” she says, as though reading my mind. “Thanks for the ride, sir . . .I mean, William.”

“I cut you some slack, Taylor, because our conversation wasn’t exactly light. But now the cards are on the table. You know what I want. I’m not giving up.”

Though she’s been quiet for most of the trip, she smiles. “We’ll see, William.”

Taylor

CHAPTER TEN

The Next Day

“There’s a delivery for you,”Jackie says as I reach the counter to place another drink order for a table of five friends celebrating a bachelorette party.

“What?”

“They just dropped off a box in your name. I signed for it because you were busy. By the look of it, it seems fancy.”

My curiosity flares, but I’m also torn about stepping away right now, with the bar so crowded.

Jackie notices my dilemma and smiles. “Go on, girl. I can handle things, but don’t take too long.”

“Have I told you I love you?”

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