Page 42 of Serving the Maestro

My cheeks heated, but I accepted the compliment with a smile. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“It has.” He cocked his head to the side, studying me. “I don’t remember seeing you at our fifteen-year reunion.”

“I didn’t go—not to any of them.” With a self-conscious shrug, I added, “High school wasn’t the worst time of my life, but it wasn’t the easiest, either. Not with my mom and all.”

His eyes softened. “I remember. Is she still about the same?”

“No.” Swallowing past the knot in my throat, I started to speak, but the server returned my martini on the tray and two glasses of water. Waiting until she’d taken Roger’s order for a beer, I sipped my martini. Once we were relatively alone, I met his eyes. “She was in a car accident a few years ago. Didn’t make it.”

“Shit. Jazz, I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay.” Managing a smile, I said, “A part of her already died when my father left us behind. But enough about that. How have you been?”

Over the next hour, we talked about friends from high school and memories from our short dating relationship. I hadn’t thought about Roger in years, but it was...easy, sitting there, chatting with him, and laughing about things I’d forgotten.

The dinner rush was starting by the time the server asked if we wanted a single or split tab.

“I’ll take care of it,” Roger said, giving me that familiar smile when I started to object. “Please, Jazz, let me. I was expecting a dull afternoon, and you made it so much better.”

“Okay.”

A few minutes later, as we walked down the sidewalk, Roger said, “You know, I’ve thought about you off and on over the years. A lot.”

“Oh?” My cheeks heated as I looked over at him and saw the interest in his eyes.

“Yes.”

A crowd came up out of the nearby subway entrance, and he stepped closer, using his body to shield mine. He stumbled when someone bumped into him, catching my arms as the movement jostled us closer.

“Sorry,” he said, a one-sided smile tugging at his lips.

“Not a problem.”

He slid his hands down my arms, caught my hands, and squeezed gently. Nerves pinched in my belly, but he didn’t try to take my hand when he pulled away.

“Anyway...as I was saying. Yeah, I’ve thought about you quite a bit, Jazz, if I’m being honest.”

From the corner of my eye, I glanced at him.

“Bumping into you today...” He sighed. “Well, now I’m wondering if it’s a sign.”

“A sign?” I slowed at the intersection ahead and turned to look at him.

“Yeah.” He lifted a shoulder. “You’ve always been so practical, and I know destiny or fate is not your thing...but. Hell, I’m getting nervous. I don’t suppose you’d be interested in...maybe giving things with us another go?”

* * *

Soaking in my tub later that night, I replayed the afternoon in my head.

Roger hadn’t called. I’d given him my number, not sure if he’d use it, nor if I wanted him to.

But my mind kept going back to Cam. She kept telling me there were nice guys out there, and I’d never really given any man I met a fair shot.

Thinking she might be right, I’d given Roger my number.

We had gotten along reasonably well in school, and today had been...easy. Fun.

I’d even been smiling as I exited the elevator.

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