Page 63 of Key Change

“Exactly.” Though that hadn’t been his first worry. He’d been more afraid that he was the only one and that Isabella would wonder what the hell he was on about. Fear loved company. “I was also told, when approached by the lawyer, not to lie.”

“Okay. Have you tried to contact Bianca recently?”

“Yes, but she hasn’t replied. My agent also sent her an email.” He topped up Snap’s water bowl and gave him a pat before grabbing his bag.

“Well, I’d better email her, too. You go. I have two people I’ll contact before emailing your agent.”

“Subtly.” Because Isabella, while a brilliant composer, wasn’t known for her tact.

“I’ll follow your example. Go, don’t be late.”

One way or another this was going to be over soon. Now that he’d started moving in the right direction, the end was all that mattered.

CHAPTER

THIRTY-THREE

Now that hewasn’t allowed to meet Anthony for lunch, it was all Cillian wanted to do. Anthony had texted him a photo of his purchases, which he hadn’t seen until after last night’s performance. And while he’d noticed the app function, he hadn’t commented on it because Anthony hadn’t said anything, and Cillian didn’t want to push.

He finished up his student’s lesson and suggested homework. Not that he needed to. Angela would practice, and she knew what she was doing. At sixty-four, for her, this was more about skill maintenance and a little chitchat with tea. He enjoyed having this time with her because she reminded him of his Nan, in that she could’ve done so much with her talent, but instead, she’d raised four children and babysat her grandchildren. She’d lived her life for other people.

He had, unfortunately for him, made the same mistake in letting Hayden push him this far. But as Dahlia said, there was nothing he could’ve done earlier in his career since he hadn’t yet proven himself.

Angela stood and stretched and made a fuss over Snap before taking her teacup to the kitchen.

His phone buzzed, and he half expected it to be Anthony, but it was Bevan.

“Is that one of your boyfriends?” she asked, neck craning to try and see his phone.

Cillian snorted. “I don’t have a boyfriend.” Well… Not officially, as they were still working on it. Maybe he’d be able to call Anthony his boyfriend in a few weeks. Once the dust had settled.

“Well, you should.”

“I’ll try to find one when I’m not so busy.” Now that he’d glimpsed how easy things could be with the right person…

“You don’t want to wake up in thirty years’ time and realize you’ve been so busy you never found one.” Angela scratched Snap under the chin, and Snap purred like a lawnmower.

Traitor.

“On the subject of being busy…”

“I know. You need to get ready for your thing.” There was a look in her eyes, and for a moment, Cillian wondered if she was jealous.

“Why don’t you check out the local theaters and such? I’m sure they’d love to have you to play for them.”

“No, I can’t. I’m too old for that kind of thing. Besides, who’d watch the grandkids while I go to rehearsals?”

Cillian had a few thoughts on that, such as the parents sorting out their own daycare, but he kept his mouth shut because they both knew that was the answer.

Angela gave Snap a final pet. “I’ll see you next week.”

“You will.” He opened the door and saw her out before grabbing his phone to see what Bevan wanted.

A message that said call me was not particularly helpful, or insightful.

“What’s up?” Cillian said as a greeting.

“Two things. The first being if you would be willing to record the piano piece with me? The second is a friend of my sister’s has a job which might suit your friend.”

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