Page 46 of Crescendo

“Something in mind?”

“Maybe I never got blocked. Maybe my next ideas are just in a different direction.”

She grinned. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, which usually means a creative breakthrough.”

“Don’t count your horses before they’ve hatched. Hold your horses. Chickens before they’ve hatched. Whatever. Forget it. I think maybe I can ask…”

Melinda raised her eyebrows high. “Ask who? Your girlfriend?”

“My rival’s sidekick.”

“Dude, what the fuck?”

“My rival has a sidekick. Don’t worry about it. Maybe Idoneed some Wonderwall.” I laughed. “Hey, I told them I was making a resolution to go in a new direction, try new things. I just have to catch her without Eliza around. Maybe if I get the dodgy bloke in on it too, I can channel everyone’s rocker energy.”

“I don’t know what the fuck you’re on about, but it sounds like I should leave you to it.”

I laughed, shutting the piano lid, standing up. “You know? Yeah. Maybe. You have any fun plans for the weekend, or did you book Sunday off in hopes maybe it would be spent in a wild, listless sex haze with your speed date partner?”

“Anthony Bauer invited me over for a big dinner. I only get the invite to his place because I’m friends with you, so we’re probably just going to talk about you. I’ll let him know you’re off frolicking with a hot London girl.”

I did say we weren’t going to own it publicly, but did it count if it was an ocean away? “Please do. I know how he loves the drama.”

“I’ve literally never met a director who doesn’t. How about you? Any plans?”

I grinned. “Crescendo is taking everyone to see the Royal Philharmonic at Cadogan Hall tomorrow. We were supposed to book our seats all together, but I, ah… accidentally booked two tickets for the best seats in the house.”

“Oh, what an accident.”

“Guess I have no choice but to see how Ella gets inspired seeing one of the world’s greatest orchestras playing up close and personal. I guess if I find it beautiful, inspirational, and sexy in equal measures, then that will be a problem to resolve when we get there.”

Melinda rolled her eyes with a tired smile. “You’re so corny when you’rereallyinto a girl. Whatever. Go have the most magical date together with this girl you assure me is so stunningly beautiful.”

“I’ll have to get you on a video call with her at some point. You’re going to be so fucking jealous.”

“Dude, I’m already fucking jealous. A girl coming in and straddling you in bed? Don’t make it worse by letting me find out she’s hot.”

I beamed. “I’m afraid you don’t get a say in the matter. Let me know how your speed-dating goes. If I don’t text you back right away, I’ve gotten what I’m hoping for tonight.”

“Always acting like you’re too cool for love and then you’re a total simp. Yeah, yeah. Get out of here. Go find your… rival’s… sidekick. Fucking weird, dude.”

It was a little weird. Hannah was going to think I’d lost my mind. Maybe I had.

Chapter 12

Ella

Sian had the decency to wait until we were squeezed in with the bustling dinner crowd in Mildreds Soho before she started. It had been there on her face the whole time we’d been walking over and being seated, as we’d perused the menu and ordered. But she’d let Alisha talk about a new consultant at work, and she’d even talked a little about a project she had going on at work.

However, once we were settled in and had our drinks and appetisers, she lifted her glass in a toast. “Here’s to our girl who’s all grown up now.”

I eyed her shit-eating grin. “I’m not twelve.”

“Indeed you’re not,” she said, wiggling her eyebrows and lowering her tone.

“Sian,” Alisha warned, clearly more than a little amused.

“What? We’re all just going to sit here and act like she isn’t more alive than we’ve seen her in years?”

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