by Claire Ayres
“Hey, mate, you’ve got yourself a pack rat here,” Mark teases Luka, which earns a playful slap from Jess.
“I know, I have no idea where we are going to put it all, but we will figure it out,” Luka says walking from the kitchen with drinks, then leaning over and kissing Jess with a wink.
“Oh, Mark, I almost forgot.” Jess throws keys at Mark, who catches them with a big grin.
“Awesome, thank you. It’s going to be great being neighbours.” Mark took a second chair spot at the Bristol orchestra and is moving into Jess’ apartment as her tenant. He decided not to buy and that way he won’t have to sell his plush London apartment, which he is going to lease.
“Just not too many lady friends, eh? I don’t want to be cleaning up tears every morning,” Jess jokes with him and Luka roars with laughter.
“She’s got your number, mate.”
“So, on that note, what’s the plan tonight then?” Mark asks.
“Well, I have to go in early with Paul, so Eric is going to come over here, then Katie and Jay will meet you at the concert. Afterwards, we will all go out and celebrate Jess’ birthday.” Luka looks at Jess and winks. Two years in a row this concert had fallen on her birthday. This year, though, everybody important in their lives was going to be there. Mark doesn’t join the orchestra until the New Year so is going to keep Jess company during the concert.
“Sounds like a plan. Now, I need a top up.” Mark walks into the kitchen and hits Luka’s whiskey stores.
Jess wraps her arms around Luka and kisses him, long and true. He can’t wait for her to get her birthday present tonight, he’s been planning for it for a while and thinks this is one surprise she might forgive him for. He wraps her in his arms and pulls her close.
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Jess
Jess walks into the Colston Hall her arm through Mark’s, the person who stood by her even when he didn’t know her through those awful months; and he has been so good for Luka as well bringing out a playful side she hadn’t seen before. Jess has definitely grown to love Mark. He has always been nothing except respectful to her and on occasions like this where she is alone because Luka is working. He steps up and keeps her company, acting like a real gentleman.
Tonight, Jess is spoiled, because as they walk down the aisle Eric comes up her other side and takes her other arm. She has two handsome men accompanying her and she sees the looks she gets from other women, and some of the men, as they walk past. She smiles to herself because she may have these two handsome men with her now, but there is only one handsome man she is interested in.
They find their seats, and Eric sits one side of Mark while Mark sits next to Jess, leaving the seats next to Jess free for Katie and Jay. Mark and Eric are talking about Eric’s job when Jess sees Katie; she jumps up and waves. Next to her Jay is looking so handsome, and Katie’s baby bump is now getting large and rounded, bringing a lump to her throat that these beautiful friends will soon be parents. Jess gives them both a big hug.
“Look at you, you’re stunning,” Jess says to Katie.
She blushes and holds Jay’s hand. “I don’t know how I’m going to manage, this little thing is sending me to the loo every ten minutes,” she laughs, and rubs her stomach.
“Well, if you need to go you have to go, don’t you?” Jess says, shrugging her shoulders. “Maybe we can switch seats so you’re on the end?”
“Do you think? That would really help.” She looks embarrassed, something Katie never is. It makes Jess more determined to help her. They shuffle our seating arrangement around, and she and Jay sit on the end of the row.
“Jess, there you are.” She turns and sees Niccolo coming down the aisle with Gerardo.
“Did Luka literally invite everybody we know?” Jess asks and Gerardo nods with a smile. His brothers share the same smile at him and it almost stops her heart.
“Happy Birthday, dear Jessica,” says Gerardo and Jess gives both brothers a big hug before they take their seats, and she realises they have taken almost the full row this time. Her heart fills to know she has such love in her life.
The orchestra starts to come out and as he always does, Luka gets himself seated then looks straight to where she is supposed to be. Of course, they shuffled so Jess is sat in a slightly different place; he adjusts his gaze slightly, catches her eye, smiles and winks. She blows him a kiss, letting him know she is there for him. Mark puts his arm around her neck, pulling her in for a hug and throwing faux kisses at Luka, teasing him for being an old romantic, which he regularly does. Then they settle down to enjoy the music.
Tonight is Luka’s night; it’s Elgar’s Cello Concerto. He’s sat facing the audience: all eyes are on him, and she knows he’s going to be exquisite as always. That feeling of being swept away by the music doesn’t go away. His music still captures Jess like it did that very first time, and Jess sits in the Colston Hall feeling entrapped by him and his ability to produce music that is completely magical. As he plays tears pour down her face, her body responds, and she knows the only thing she wants from life is him.
As the music comes to an end for the interval, Katie hands Jess a tissue for her to wipe her eyes, and Mark hands her a bottle of water and winks.
“You OK there?” he asks.
“Yeah, I’m good,” Jess smiles.
“Hey, the orchestra isn’t moving,” she points out to Mark. “That’s odd?”
Jess looks up at the stage and although the interval has started, the orchestra members are all sitting in their seats. Then Luka stands up and walks to the conductor’s stand. Jess’ heart starts to beat heavy, someone hands him a mic and he looks out, catching her eye making her gulp.
“Um, Hi, I want to thank my colleagues for staying here for a few minutes so that I could do this. Jess, can you come up here, please?” All of their friends turn look at Jess, Mark holds her hand to help her up and Katie is whispering “go on, go on” in her ear. She is shaking, and she keeps looking back at her friends and all of them are smiling encouragement.
With the entire auditorium looking at her, the walk to the stage feels like the walk to the hangman’s noose. She tries to focus on Luka who is smiling at her, and he has an arm held out to take her hand when she gets close enough. Thankfully, there are some steps to get on the stage, Jess is definitely not wearing the dress or heels for climbing.
Once she gets on the stage she whispers in his ear, “What are you doing?”
He winks at her, “You’ll see.”
I’ll see? Of course, Jess does think she may have a heart attack in the process. She catches Paul’s eye all the way in the back. He winks and gives her a thumbs up. Other members of the orchestra are grinning. Jess only wishes she knew what was happening.
“Jess,” Luka begins, “meeting you was the greatest moment of my life. You have brought such happiness into my life, and you give my music a meaning it never had before. You are my muse, you are my love, and I don’t want a moment without you.” Then he does it, he drops onto one knee. All the breath in Jess’ lungs gets sucked out, her hands cover her face. He produces this beautiful ring, a simple pink diamond princess cut; it’s perfect, like him. “Will you be my wife?”
Jess doesn’t know how to speak, she nods, dropping to her knees in front of him. Tears falling down her face, good, happy tears. He puts the ring on her finger and she wraps her arms around him, this man she loves so very much.
As the room erupts Jess only has eyes for one person, and he only has eyes for her.
“I love you, Pinky. Happy Birthday.”
THE END
Acknowledgements
T his book wouldn’t exist without two very special people. Kierney Scott your books inspired me and your friendship and encouragement to write this in the first place got me where we are today. Thank you. James J.Cudney, my writing buddy. Thank you for reading numerous versions, answering numer
ous silly questions, and getting to know my characters as well as I know them. If this book is half as good as yours I’ve got a winner on my hands.
To my beta reader Liz your feedback was invaluableand I was honoured to have you reading early versions of this.
I have to thank Nikki Rose for all the amazing graphics work she did for me, my mind was blown and still is.
Jenny Marston and all of the bloggers who have joined her in supporting me. The love I feel from the blogging community is huge and I can’t thank you all enough.
Steve our love story ended before this book made it to the shelves but your support never once wavered, thank you so much for everything, including letting me continue to use your name.
Mum, you introduced me to books before I could even read. You have told me more times than I can remember that I could write a book so here we are. I actually did it.
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Find out more about Claire Ayres at https://claireayresauthor.com and on Facebook at ClaireAyresAuthor.
Author Playlist
Apocalytica ft Brent Smith – Not Strong Enough
Thirty Seconds to Mars – The Kill (Bury Me)
Anna Nalick – Breathe (2am)
Evanescence – My Immortal
Bon Jovi – Always
3 Doors Down – Here Without You
Slipknot – Duality
Bon Jovi – I’ll Be There For You
Pentatonix – Somebody That I Used To Know
Shinedown – Sound of Madness
Bon Jovi – (You Want To) Make A Memory
Alice In Chains – Love Hate Love
Shinedown – I’ll Follow You
Red – Darkest Part
Halestorm – Unaplogetic
Mark Tremonti – The Things I’ve Seen
Alter Bridge – Make It Right
Alter Bridge – Words Darker Than Wings
Stone Sour – Through Glass
Saving Abel – Addicted
Rob Thomas – Ever The Same
Delain – Are You Done With Me
Apocalyptica feat Linda – Faraway Vol 2
Alter Bridge – Brand New Star
Stone Sour – Imperfect
Apocalyptica – Toredor II
Haydn Symphony No 94 G Major
Chopin Polonaise Brilliante in C Major
Elgar Cello Concerto
Schumann’s Cello Concerto in A Minor
Follow the playlist on YouTube
