Page 26 of The Maestro and the Roofer

“I can attest you’d be great at that,” he confirmed.

His face shone with memories of their first night together. How she’d coached him through the nursery rhyme, both of them so strong in their naked vulnerability. The remembrance warmed her and buoyed her toward her main point.

“When I first came here, I felt like I needed to prove myself, you know? Compose some brilliant piece of music so I could return to the city triumphant. Put Maestro Mia back on the pedestal. But for what?” She shook her head, wondering how she’d ever been so consumed by her pride and ego. “That wouldn’t have made me happy. I don’t have to be Maestro Mia with you. I can just be Mia.AndI can still have music.”

Travis took in her words, his tight features softening. “Well, I know better than to argue with you,” he joked.

That pulled a laugh out of her, and she nudged him with her elbow. He searched her face, his mouth opening and closing several times as words failed him.

“I kind of acted like a dick the last time I saw you,” he blurted out.

She scrunched up her face in faux confusion. “Kind of?”

Now it was his turn to give her a teasing nudge, but she took the opportunity to pull him closer, knowing support was needed for his mea culpa.

“It’s not that I didn’t want to introduce you to my brother. But what the hell was I supposed to say? Hey, Tommy, this is the woman I’m absolutely wild for, and she’ll be leaving my ass soon.” He stopped and cracked his knuckles, sorrow pulsating from each word. “Like before.”

“You don’t have to worry about that, because I’ve already told you that I’m not going anywhere,” she whispered fiercely in his ear. Then she rubbed her hand up and down his back. “But I hope things get better with your brother. Maybe one day.”

He scoffed, although Mia knew hope was still within him, buried deep down inside. “I guess we’ll see.”

Better than flat-out denial. Beggars couldn’t be choosers, so she’d take it. She knew firsthand that special things could happen in this town, so she tucked away her faith for a Flynn brothers’ reconciliation. Stranger things had happened.

As the sun disappeared, Travis found her gaze again and stared at her with amazement. “So we’re really gonna do this?” he asked. “You and me?”

“Sure are, Boss Man.”

With a growl, he pulled her into his lap and brought his mouth to hers for a scorching kiss. Mia didn’t know what the next few days, weeks, or months would bring, but uncertaintydisappeared thanks to his talented lips. Stirred into a frenzy, she rocked her pelvis against his rapidly hardening erection, mewling with need.

“Let’s get inside before the neighbors call the cops,” Travis said with a laugh, pulling her to her feet.

They stumbled to the back door, his spare key coming in handy. Once inside the kitchen, he slammed the door and pressed her against it, crowding her willing body.

“First, fucking. Then dinner,” he stated.God love a man with a plan.Buttons slipped through their loops despite his fumbling fingers, until her shirt was finally splayed open. “What should we make?”

She burst into giggles. “There’s a sad salad sitting in the car. I don’t have any food in the house.”

That beloved cheeky grin of his returned as he tossed her blouse to the side. “How about the DT?”

Summer had arrived in Daymont,along with the tourists. The seasonal hotspots lining the coast opened as visitors invaded post-Memorial Day weekend, and after a life-changing autumn, a cozy winter, and a scenic spring, Mia got to experience her new home in all its summertime glory.

But even with the flashy new restaurants to enjoy, Mia would always prefer the DT.

Dee slammed an IPA onto the sticky bar as Mia thanked her with a demure smile, the memories of her bathroom hookup with Travis ever present. After a large gulp of beer, she sat back in her stool and sighed heavily. It had been a long week, andit wasn’t over yet. Daymont Symphony School’s annual piano recital was the following evening, and anxiety had ruled the roost during that afternoon’s final dress rehearsal. Mia adored her students beyond measure, so much so that she’d internalized their angst and stage fright.

Nevertheless, each day spent in the school’s studios was proof that she’d made the right choice to stay in Daymont. For the first time in ages, her notoriety had worked to her advantage when she walked into the school to ask if they were hiring, soon after reconciling with Travis. After the initial shock, the owner had recovered quickly and asked if she could start that weekend.

Leslie hadn’t been thrilled at Mia’s change of plans, but she’d allowed her to stay at the cottage under one condition: that Mia honor her commitment to meet with the independent film director. Instead of returning to New York, they’d met via video call and surprisingly hit it off. But after the discussion, Mia knew she wasn’t the right choice for that specific film, although she promised to stay in touch in the hopes they could collaborate in the future.

When the weather started to turn, she moved out of Leslie’s waterside cottage so renters could take advantage and her agent could turn a profit on the house. She missed it terribly sometimes, but Travis’s two-bedroom, single-story ranch home suited her just as well.

Speak of the devil. He slid onto the stool beside her and leaned in to brush his mouth against hers. “Hey, baby.”

“Hey, yourself. Funny seeing you here.”

He grinned and ordered his own beer. While waiting for their plate of nachos, they chatted about minor topics, but his right leg continually bounced like a jackhammer. By now, she’d learned all his quirks, and the nonstop tremors hinted that he yearned to make a confession.

The plate of cheesy chips arrived, and she bit the bullet. “You look like you want to say something,” she coaxed, scooping a handful of nachos onto her plate.

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