Page 50 of Taken By the Fae

“Of course. I’m available Friday afternoons and I can do some evenings and weekends if needed.”

“Good.” She hands me a notepad. “This is everything we have to do.”

I scan the paper until the words blur. “Sure, and when’s the event?”

“November twenty-fifth,” she answers.

I lift my head from the list, my eyes widening. “That’s only a month away.”

“Good, you can read a calendar. Let’s get to work.”

After a few hours, Skylar announces she’s leaving for the day, and Max takes her place on the other side of the table. He’s dressed in more casual attire than I’m used to seeing around here—a navy blue collared shirt with a loosely knotted tie and black jeans.

“You’re still alive, I see,” he says after sitting across from me.

I force a smile. “Looks like it.”

“What’s keeping you around, blondie?” he asks, raking a hand through the mop of hair on his head.

“I need this to graduate.”

“You don’t need the dozens of extra hours this charity event will give you.”

“Maybe I enjoy doing something for a good cause. Or maybe I enjoy working here.”

“Really?” he inquires dryly.

My eyes narrow. “What’s it to you?”

“Absolutely nothing.”

“Great, so why are you being so annoying?”

Max laughs. “I don’t get to have a lot of fun around here, so I find entertainment in screwing with you. You’re such an easy target.”

Rolling my eyes, I stand and walk to the door. “I’m taking a break.” I make my way through the quiet office and get on the elevator. A couple of minutes later, I step off into the lobby and offer Marisa a quick wave on my way to the door.

“Aurora,” she calls after me, so I turn and walk to the reception desk.

“What’s up?” I ask.

Marisa frowns. “You look annoyed.”

“I’m fine,” I tell her. “Just needed a break and figured I’d come down and get some air.”

Her eyes light up. “Remember when you told me you play piano?”

I nod. It had been in passing a couple of weeks ago… I’m kind of surprisedsheremembered.

She glances around as if to make sure no one is overhearing our exchange. “I saw some movers bring one into the ballroom.” She points to a hallway off of the lobby. “The double doors at the end of the hall. You can’t miss it.”

“Really?” My fingers are already itching to play. Nothing can consume my attention like playing—it’s exactly what I need right now.

She grins and drops a key on the counter. “No one’s in there. Go take a break.”

“Thank you.” I grab the key and head for the ballroom, hurrying down the hallway as if I’m about to be caught doing something I shouldn’t.

After unlocking the door and closing it behind me, I take in the room. It’s elegant: gold walls, high ceilings, over-the-top chandeliers. The marble floor is so smooth it makes me want to lie on it and stare at the twinkling lights. And when my eyes land on the piano, I suck in a breath as I walk over to it. It’s stunning. I can see my reflection in the glossy black finish as I lift the lid that covers the keys; they look as if they’ve never been touched. I run my fingers along them without pressing any and then sit on the bench. With a breath, forcing the tension out of my system, I put my fingers to the keys again.

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