Aria hadn’t noticed a change in tempo, but then again, the professor was hearing it from a more objective perspective. “All right.” She played to the end of the page and flipped it over.
“You can stop there. That was much better.” The professor gave her shoulders a reassuring squeeze and let go of her. “Aria, you play as beautifully as ever, but I don’t think my poor ears can take any more of this awful piano.”
“It is pretty bad. Probably hasn’t been tuned in years.” Aria gathered the music from the piano stand and rose.
Professor Jacobs went to the stage and picked up the folder with the rest of the music he’d selected and handed it to Aria. “I’ll call you in a week or so and we’ll make arrangements for our next meeting.”
Footfalls came up behind Aria.
Dex put his arm around her waist. “Aria has a studio upstairs from the music store where she works. You might consider meeting there.”
Aria nodded. “Yes, I second that idea.” Anything was better than another excursion into the zombie zone, especially if Dex wasn’t along to double as her bodyguard.
“We’ll see.” The professor smiled. “I’m exceptionally busy these days. I’m afraid Aria may sometimes have to inconvenience herself to accommodate my crazy schedule and varying whereabouts. Have a good evening, both of you.”
“Thanks again for your help, sir.” Aria shook the professor’s hand.
Dex helped her back into her coat. Aria hugged the folder as he led her downstairs to the car.
* * * *
“You did good up there. Yeah, the piano was tinny and sounded bad, but you nailed that song.” Dex started the engine and let it idle.
“You think so? What about the part where I messed up the tempo? Be honest.”
“My take is Jacobs felt the need to say something other than admitting your performance was flawless. There was nothing wrong with your tempo.” Dex patted down his jacket pockets. “Know what? I think I left my hat upstairs or dropped it along the way.”
“You want me to go check it out?”
“No, I’ll go look for it.” He kicked the heater blower up a notch. “Good, heat’s coming up. Stay here, and keep the doors locked until I get back. Honk if you need me.”
“Okay, but hurry.” She flashed a nervous smile.
Dex took the stairs two at a time and strode across the auditorium. The professor stood at the foot of the stage loading music into his briefcase. Dex stopped several feet from the man’s back. “Excuse me.”
Jacobs gasped and spun around. Fear flashed in his eyes then faded just as quickly. “You scared me.”
Perfect. Just the reaction Dex had hoped for. “What’s there to be afraid of?”
The professor hissed a sharp breath through tight lips. “In this neighborhood? Plenty.”
Dex stepped forward and stood tall. “And yet you thought nothing of letting Aria walk into a potentially dangerous situation by herself?”
“B-but you were with her. How can you say—”
“You had no way of knowing I’d be along to protect her.”
“I’d never been here before tonight and didn’t know how bad it was. What did you expect me to do?” Jacobs’s boney shoulders rose in a cowardly shrug.
“You said you’d been here an hour before we got here. That gave you plenty of time to call and cancel or arrange to meet Aria in a safer place.”
“Maybe you’re—”
“I’m not through.” Dex stepped forward again, erasing the space between him and Jacobs.
Jacobs’s heel bumped the wall as he backed up to the stage. “Okay, okay. I’m listening.”
“At minimum, you could have been downstairs waiting for Aria, ready to escort her from the car. Any man with an ounce of decency would have known to do that. And where were you when she entered the building and came up to an empty auditorium?”
“I-I had to go to the bathroom.”
Pathetic weasel. Dex couldn’t stand the sight of him. He backed away. “Aria’s safety is of paramount importance to me. I better not hear about another episode like this. You got that?”
“Yes.” Jacobs nodded. “I got it.”
“Good.” Dex left the room, pulled his wooly hat from his pocket and put it on. Stashing it had been a good idea and gave him a plausible reason to go back. As starry-eyed as Aria had been after her session with the creepy professor, she probably would have balked if he’d suggested having a little chat with the man.
Dex hit the street and got into the car.
Aria smiled. “I see you found your hat.”
“Yup. Now, let’s get out of here.”
Chapter 22
Aria coiled her legs on the seat and faced Dex as he slowed through the E-Z Pass toll and accelerated onto the Mid-Hudson Bridge. “Are you mad at me for some reason?”
“No, why would you think I was?” He glanced over, his face serious and unsmiling.
“You’ve been awfully quiet since we left Newburgh. I’ve been jabbering away, and you’ve barely said a word. So, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
His nothing didn’t sound very convincing. “I got the distinct impression that you didn’t care much for Professor Jacobs.”
“You got that right. I don’t like him, and I don’t trust him. Not with you.”
“Okay, I’ll admit he could have done a lot better choosing a place to meet.”
“Would you have gone into that building if I hadn’t come with you?”
Good question. One she had asked herself when they’d pulled to the curb in front of it. “I don’t know. I think I might have parked and called the professor to make sure he was inside. Maybe asked him to come out and get me. Still, I don’t know. It was pretty spooky looking.”
“I don’t like him putting his hands on you either. If he does it again and I’m not with you, you’ll need to nip that in the bud. As it is, I should have said something right then and there.”
Aria laughed. “Oh, my goodness. Do I detect jealousy? The professor is old enough to be my father. Actually, I happen to know that he’s five or six years older than my dad.”
“So let me see if I’ve got this straight. Since he’s old enough to be your father, he has permission to caress your shoulders and sniff your hair? I don’t think so. Don’t let the fact that he’s giving you something for nothing make you feel obligated to put up with him touching you.”
“I think you’re blowing something totally innocent way out of proportion. You make it sound as if he were sneaking a feel or making a pass when all he was doing was leaning over to point at the music.”
“Believe me, that wasn’t all he was doing. The professor has more than just an innocent musical interest in you, Ari. Trust me on that.” Dex shot a pinched-brow glance at her.
“I don’t believe that accusation for a second.” Aria unfolded her legs and planted her feet on the floorboard. Professor Jacobs was well respected at the university. Students clamored to be under his tutelage. He wouldn’t jeopardize his standing in the music community by behaving improperly with a student or alumni.
Dex’s protective instincts were admirable, but he was wrong about the professor. Dead wrong.
* * * *
All of his negative talk had apparently shut Aria down. Now driving in silence, Dex missed her lively chatter, even if all she’d talked about during the trip toward home was music, auditions, pianos, and such. He wasn’t sorry for what he’d said about the professor. No, the guy struck him as a predator who had capitalized on an opportunity to be alone with a beautiful young woman. If he hadn’t picked Aria, Dex was sure he would have set his sights on another beauty.
Still, he hated the distance between them that his comments had created. There had to be a way to balance his distrust for Jacobs with his desire for Aria to succeed in her career.
&nbs
p; He pulled Aria’s car into a spot outside Pop’s house and killed the engine.
“I guess I’ll call it an early night and go home.” Aria reached for the door handle.
“Hey.” He touched her arm. The last thing he wanted was to hand her the keys and watch her drive off. “Mind if we go inside and talk?”
She gave a slight shrug. “Okay, but I’m not sure I’ve got anything to say.”
“All right. Then I’ll do the talking.”
Pop smiled as Dex walked into the house with Aria. In one hand, he held a plate of apple slices, and in the other, a jar of peanut butter and a knife. “Hey there, kiddos. How’d the meeting with your old teacher go?”
“Great. I’ve got a nice lineup of music to practice.” Aria’s smile may have convinced Pop, but Dex saw through it.
“Good. I’m glad to hear it. I’ve got a movie on pause upstairs. Came down for a snack. I’ll leave you two alone and get back to it.” Pop shuffled up the steps.
Dex removed the fireplace screen, stoked the dying embers, and built a fire. “Hungry? You barely ate anything for dinner.”
“I was too nervous.” She rubbed her belly. “Now that you mention it, though, I am a little hungry.”
With a flick of his wrists, he spread a fluffy comforter on the floor near the fireplace and tossed oversized pillows on it. “Make yourself comfortable, and I’ll go get you something to eat.”
Dex nuked a small plate of leftover Chinese food and brought it to Aria. “Here you go. The eggroll isn’t crispy after being in the fridge since yesterday, but it should still taste pretty good.” He sat, took off his boots, and extended his feet toward the fireplace.
“Thanks.” She took a few bites. “Crispy or not, it’s delicious.”
The fire crackled as Aria sat cross-legged eating on the comforter. Beautiful and sensuous, her feminine features and luxurious curls glowed in the flickering light. If she had any qualities, inside or out, that he didn’t like, he hadn’t discovered them yet. Dex tore his gaze from her and stared into the blaze.
“That hit the spot.” Aria set the plate and fork aside.
“I can get you some more if you’d like.”
“I’m good, thanks.” She balled the paper napkin she’d used to wipe her lips and tossed it on the plate. “So what did you want to talk about?”
“The professor.”
Her shoulders deflated. “Okay, I get it. You don’t trust him. So, what do you want me to do, tell him to get lost and give up my chance to get into Bianchi’s orchestra? Abandon my dream?”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying at all.” He moved closer. “I want you to promise me you’ll be careful. Try to persuade Jacobs to meet in your studio. If he can’t do that, make sure you feel safe in the places he chooses. No more slums or eerie buildings.”
Aria’s expression softened. “I promise I’ll be careful.”
“Always let your mom know where you’re meeting the professor. In fact, send her a text with the address as well so she’ll have it at her fingertips.”
A small smile graced Aria’s lips. “Anything else?”
“Yeah. If he touches you again, tell him it makes you uncomfortable. If he’s doing it as innocently as you believe, he’ll take it well, apologize, and back off. Any other response is unacceptable and should raise a red flag.” He sat on his haunches in front of Aria and stared into her eyes. “Admit it, you would never get as cozy with any of your students as Jacobs did with you.”
She nodded slowly, and the last traces of her defenses melted away. “That’s true. Anything more than a handshake or pat on the back would be inappropriate.”
“I care about you, Aria.” Everything about her drew him in—her beauty, talents, energy, ambition, and the way she cared for others. All those things made it impossible not to love her. “Meeting you at Hank and Cindy’s wedding was one of the best surprises of my life. I can’t believe how hard and fast I’ve fallen for you.”
“Are…” Moisture welled in Aria’s eyes. “Are you saying you—”
“Yes, I’m saying I love you.”
Aria rose to her knees and into his arms. “And I love you. It was hard and fast for me too. I’m so happy.”
Dex stood, pulled Aria up, and kissed her. “We have two more days together before we have to say goodbye on Sunday. I’m glad we’ve admitted how we feel about each other before I have to leave.”
“Me too, but don’t even talk about goodbyes. I’m not sure my heart is ready for that.”
Quite sure he wasn’t ready for it either, Dex held Aria tightly.
* * * *
Tossing and turning in a tangle of blankets, Aria couldn’t sleep a wink. She kicked free of the confines of the twisted top sheet, got up, and walked to the window. At nearly three in the morning, there would be no moonlight talking with Dex, but just thinking about it intensified the bond with him she felt so deeply.
Aria covered a sudden spate of coughs with her cupped hand. Dry as her throat was, it was a wonder she could cough at all. She left her room and went downstairs to the kitchen. A couple of sips of water quenched her thirst and cured her cotton mouth.
“Couldn’t sleep?”
Aria jumped and spun around.
Mom laughed. “Sorry I startled you, but that was an awfully cute dance you did just now.”
“I thought I was being quiet enough not to wake anyone. Never expected someone to come from behind and scare the daylights out of me.”
“My supersonic mom ears heard you coughing. Then, because of the nightlight at the top of the stairs, I saw your shadow pass by under my bedroom door.”
“How’d you know it was me and not Kay or Lauren?”
“I could pick each of your coughs, sneezes, and laughs out of a crowd. It’s a mom thing.” Mom poured herself a glass of water and clinked it with Aria’s. “Cheers.”
“Cheers.” Aria took several swigs and wiped her mouth on her pajama sleeve.
“So, besides wetting your whistle, why are you up so late?” Mom slid onto a chair in the breakfast nook as if prepared to listen for as long as it took, even at such an ungodly hour.
“It’s been an exciting day. Guess I’m having a hard time unwinding.”
“Tell me, how’d it go with Professor Jacobs?”
“Good. I have a folder full of music to practice, some familiar pieces, some new.” No use going into detail about the awful meeting place or Dex’s suspicions that Jacobs had touched her inappropriately. She’d deal with it exactly as Dex had suggested and go from there. And she would also let her mother know where she was going each time she met with the professor.
“Wonderful. I can’t wait to hear you play them for me.” Mom sipped her water and smiled. “It’s been nice having Dex over for dinner several nights this week. Tonight, I thought Lauren was going to bust her gut laughing so hard over that story he told about the antics of the guys on the obstacle course. The girls adore him, and I’ve got to say, I like him very much too. Always have, actually.”
“And Dad? How does he feel about us as a couple?”
“I think he’s warming to it as he sees how you two interact, but bear with him. He’s in uncharted territory having a subordinate, especially one under his direct command in a tightly knit unit, chasing his daughter.”
Aria craned her neck for a peek toward the stairs then moved her chair closer to her mother’s. “Tonight, Dex told me he loved me.” Happy tears rolled down her cheek. She didn’t bother wiping them.
“And you love him back, don’t you?” Mom’s rhetorical question required no answer as she took and stroked Aria’s hand. “It’s a beautiful thing when a man declares his love and wraps his heart around yours. There’s nothing in the world sweeter than to love and be loved in return.”
“I agree with that wholeheartedly. How am I ever going to s
ay goodbye to him, or get through the lonely days of separation afterward?”
“You’ll deal with those things one day at a time. Your father and I have learned creative ways to feel close even when miles separate us. Little things count. For instance, I like rereading his love letters, knowing he poured his heart into every word. I even like the feel of the paper because I know that his hands had been all over it.”
“A common point of contact. I get it. Dex and I talk on the phone and look at the moon together.”
“That’s a beautiful way to connect. So romantic.” Mom smiled, rose from her chair, and pulled Aria up and into a hug. “I’m happy for you, sweetheart. Don’t worry, you guys will do fine. I’ll be going down to see your father in a few weeks. Why don’t you come with me?”
Aria pulled back, her pulse revving at the suggestion. “That’d be great. Dex has an apartment lined up and will be moving in next weekend. I’d love to go see him. He should be all settled by the time you and I get down there.”
“See? It’s working out already.” Mom patted Aria’s cheeks. “And now, I think I’ll go snuggle up with your father and keep his back warm. Good night, sweetie.”
“Good night. I’ll head upstairs in a few minutes.”
Barefooted, Mom walked silently across the living room, her silvery-gray nighty swishing daintily against the backs of her knees. She paused at the balustrade, blew Aria a kiss, and went up the steps.
One day at a time. Aria gave herself a decisive nod. She could manage that.
Chapter 23
A cloud of steam hissed from the iron as Aria pressed a pair of dress pants for her trip. The suitcase lying open on her bed made the prospect of seeing Dex more real and excited her to the core. FaceTime was nice. But after three and a half weeks without him, she was ready for more than a real-time video chat. She needed Dex in the flesh, touchable, huggable, and kissable.
Mom rapped on Aria’s open bedroom door, walked in, and sat next to the suitcase. “It’s going to be a long drive tomorrow. According to the GPS, it’s about ten and a half hours to your father’s apartment. But the GPS doesn’t have to stop and stretch its legs, take bathroom breaks, or fill up a tank with gas. Eleven and a half hours is more realistic.”
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