The Key to Love

by Callie Bardot

  “Nice to see the sun for a change, don’t you think?” he said, pulling his sunglass case from his pocket and fitting the glasses on his face.

  “It sure is,” Mia said.

  Her fingers brushed his hand, perhaps as eager to touch him as he was to touch her. But, they had rules in place, and the rules must be followed. Not that the media would care about rules if they decided to target him—they’d make up any damn story they pleased. But, at the moment, at least, he wasn’t in anyone’s viewfinder as far as he could tell.

  “What do you want to do next?” he said.

  “I’m famished, what about you?” Mia said.

  “I could do with some grub. Do you like Italian?”

  “Mmm, do I ever,” Mia said.

  “Do you ever eat at La Cozza Arrabbiato’s, over on East 14th?” He gathered his fingers in front of his lips and kissed them. “It’s fantastico.”

  “No, I don’t think I’ve been to that one,” Mia said. “Doesn’t that mean the angry mussel?” She let out a little laugh.

  “The mussels might be pissed when they arrive, but by the time Antonio is done with them, they’re grateful to have been in his loving hands.” Keys winked, flexing his fingers in front of her.

  “God, I wish I could touch you,” she added.

  “Same here. I’m not used to not getting my way,” Keys said with a laugh. Then, he stepped from the sidewalk and whistled for a cab.

  Ten minutes later, the cab let them out in front of La Cozza Arrabbiato. In a few quick steps, they entered the cozy restaurant.

  Keys removed his sunglasses, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the golden light shimmering from the walls and ceiling.

  Bricks lined the long, narrow building, while candles glowed softly from the center of the tables. White plates and napkins were neatly arranged on the gleaming wood tables. Several patrons sat, eating, and talking. Before long, Keys knew the place would be packed.

  An older hostess with long dark hair greeted them with a dimpled smile. Her eyes widened when she saw Keys. “Buonasera, Keys. È bello vederti.”

  Keys leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. “Buonasera, Maria. It’s good to see you, too. How are you? How’s Antonio?”

  Maria waved her hands at the inside of the restaurant. “We’re too busy to know each other’s names. We have to take shifts with the kids.”

  “I understand the price of fame,” Keys said.

  “I know you do. Who is your companion?” Maria said, eying Mia.

  “This is Mia. She’s a good friend of mine. She’s a New Yorker, and she’s never been here.”

  Maria pressed her hand to her bosom and feigned shock. “How is this possible? Do you live in a cave?”

  Mia laughed. “Pretty much. I seldom go out.”

  “Well, now you must frequent our restaurant. You won’t be able to resist once you’ve tasted our food. Antonio thinks he is the chef, but I constantly remind him that all the recipes came from my family.” Maria clasped Mia’s hands. Her eyes twinkled with mirth.

  “She’s not kidding,” Keys said. “Not about the reminders or good food.”

  “Let me get you seated,” Maria said, releasing Mia and hustling around the front podium to retrieve some menus. “I have just the spot. We’ll seat you away from prying eyes.” She led them to a cozy table in the back. “Shall I start you off with a bottle of wine?”

  “Mia?” Keys said.

  “Absolutely,” Mia gushed. “Today deserves a celebratory toast.”

  “We have a new Valpolicella Blend that is quite good. Would you like to try it?” Maria said.

  “Sure,” Keys said. “You’ve never steered me wrong before.”

  Once Maria sashayed away, Keys said, “I’ve got to use the facilities. Be right back.”

  Mia nodded. “Don’t be too long. I’ll miss you.”

  Keys grinned. “I told you this relationship would turn into a sappy love song.”

  “Do you mind?” Mia said.

  “Not in the least. I glove it.” He winked at her as he rose, then scooted back his chair and strode toward the hallway door. He stepped down the dimly lit hallway. When he pushed open the men’s room door, a guy inside the bathroom had his hand on the doorknob.

  “Whoa,” Keys said, startled. Then, he recognized Trevor.

  “Keys?” Trevor said, blinking like an owl. “What are you doing here?” He stood holding open the bathroom door while Keys stood in the hallway.

  “Eating Italian, what else?” Keys said, annoyed at seeing Trevor. “Can I get past you to use the loo?”

  “I need to talk to you,” Trevor said.

  “We’re not talking in the men’s room, I can assure you,” Keys said, fisting his hands. Just fucking go away. I was having a fantastic day with Mia, and I don’t need you to bring me down.

  Trevor pushed Keys into the hall. “Are you here with her?”

  “If by her you mean Mia, yes. She’s a good friend,” Keys said, shoving Trevor’s hands away from his chest.

  “She’s more than a friend, and you know it,” Trevor hissed, baring his teeth.

  “I said she’s a friend.” The words emerged in a growl. “She’s one of the few people on the planet who I don’t get into a shouting match with on the regular.”

  “Okay, okay, okay,” Trevor said, waving his hand in front of his face. “She’s a friend. But, I’m a friend, too, and I miss you, man. Friends have benefits. I want to hang out with you again. Please?” His fingers curled around the lapel of Keys’ jacket.

  Keys shook his head at Trevor’s clingy behavior. “Let go of my jacket, Trev, now.”

  Trevor’s hands jerked away. “I’m sorry, man, but I miss you. Hanging out with Noah and Sam is no fun at all. They’re stupid and boring.”

  Keys’ jaw worked back and forth as he considered whether or not to say anything. He held his breath between his cheeks for a few seconds before slowly blowing it out. Gently, he placed his hand on Trevor’s shoulder. “You’re hanging with the wrong kind of friend, Trev.”

  Trevor’s forehead furrowed. “What do you mean?” His espresso-colored eyes appeared bloodshot and glassy like he’d smoked a joint and downed a couple pints before coming to La Cozza Arrabbiato.

  With as much kindness as he could muster, Keys leaned forward and whispered in his ear, “You’re gay, dude. You like guys. What you miss is being naked around me.”

  Trevor’s mouth hung open. His eyes bulged like a pop-eyed goldfish. He began to blink like a lunatic trying to make sense of what he just heard. “You’re wrong, Keys. Fucking wrong.”

  “I don’t think so, buddy,” Keys said, softly.

  Trevor shoved Keys, sending him flying back against the wall.

  “Shit!” Keys exclaimed as he crashed against the unforgiving bricks.

  Trevor rushed out of the hallway, disappearing from sight.

  Keys straightened his clothes and patted his head for signs of blood. The only thing he could find was a nasty goose-egg sized bump. “Great,” he muttered. “Just great.” He proceeded into the bathroom to do his business. Then, he made his way down the hallway and back to his seat.

  As he removed his jacket and hung it on the back of the chair with a heavy sigh, Mia said, “You were gone a long time. Is everything okay?”

  “I dunno,” said Keys. Squeezing the back of his neck. “You and I were having a fantastic day. And, then, by being honest, well… I think I just lost my best friend…for good this time.” His body pressed into the chair like he weighed about two tons. “Since I’ve already started losing bandmates, maybe we should hurry up the leaving part, yeah? It hurts to lose Trevor as a friend. But, maybe I need to risk losing everyone to find my dreams. What do you say to that, angel?”

  Mia

  At work the next day, Mia cleared her desk of anything that might fancy taking a death-defying leap to the floor. Last night, after consuming copious amounts of wine, she and Keys had agreed to fast-track their departures from thei
r respective employment and launch their new careers—today. As a result, her hands jittered as if she’d consumed a whole case of Hot Clutch energy drink for breakfast. “I can’t do this,” she whispered through a much-needed release of air as she gripped her coffee mug. All morning, she’d been vacillating between simply not breathing and breathing like someone running from a bomb.

  “What can’t you do?” Alicia said, emerging from the hallway with her usual bounce.

  Startled, Mia jerked, and her mug flew to the ground spilling coffee all over her Rag and Bone winter boots. She let out a frustrated growl.

  “I’m sorry,” Alicia said, rushing toward the counter. “I’ll go get some paper towels.”

  “Thanks,” Mia said, as she dabbed at her boots with the napkin from her morning muffin. Good thing my boots are waterproof. And, at least my mug didn’t shatter.

  Alicia hurried back a minute later with a huge wad of paper towels. “I think I emptied the roll,” she said, waving the wad in the air. She rounded the corner and soaked up the wetness, as Mia lifted her mug out of the way.

  “Thank you. I can finish this,” Mia said, reaching for the clump of sopping paper.

  “I’m almost done,” Alicia said, tossing her ponytail behind her shoulder. She made a couple more passes with the paper towels, then said, “Done!” Gracefully, she pushed to stand and dropped the soaking brown-stained mess in the wastebasket behind Mia’s office chair. “I didn’t mean to startle you. Is everything okay?”

  “Fine,” Mia lied. “I just didn’t get much sleep last night.” She glanced up at Alicia, who towered over Mia at five-eleven.

  “Were you out with that sexy rock star? I wouldn’t get much sleep either,” Alicia gushed.

  “I’m neither confirming nor denying,” Mia said, hoping her red face didn’t tell too much of the tale of last night’s sex fest.

  “You can tell me,” Alicia whispered. “I can keep a secret.”

  No, Mia thought. You can’t actually. “Actually, I just couldn’t sleep. I’ve been working too much lately.”

  “Well, that’s not a fun story,” Alicia said, pouting. “Anyway, I popped down here because I’m working on some ads with Creative. Do you have the specs on the new line of windsurf boards? We can’t find them.”

  “Sure,” Mia said, opening a desk drawer. She reached for a folder and spread it out on her desk. Flipping through the papers, she found the right spec sheet and handed it to Alicia. “Treat this as sacred. It’s my only copy.”

  “You have my word,” Alicia said, bopping away.

  Mia’s phone chimed. She turned over the phone and read a message from Keys. Did you do it yet? She shook her head and typed, Not yet. You?

  Keys responded instantly. On my way.

  Mia sucked in a breath. Okay, me, too.

  Good luck, angel.

  She smiled as she typed, You 2. This is it. We’re really going to do this, along with several hearts and kissy faces.

  Keys responded with two eggplant emojis, a tongue, a kissy face, and sweat droplets.

  This made Mia smile even more. Squaring her shoulders, she rose to stand and headed for Zander’s office. After knocking on the door, she slid it open.

  Zander sat at his desk, talking to someone on the landline. He lifted one finger and then waved her in.

  She stepped into his penthouse office and was immediately greeted with a Marked Love tune coming through the surround-sound speakers from Zander’s favorite radio station KMNY. Oh, boy. What are the chances that I’d come in when Dante and Keys are singing in harmony on the radio? This might not be a good sign. Maybe I should come back later.

  Zander disconnected from his phone call and waved her in, saying, “What can I do for you today, treasured employee?” He flashed her a huge, warm smile.

  Way to make this easy, boss. She kept her resolve and marched resolutely across the office, past his Italian furniture.

  “What can I do for you?” Zander said, still smiling.

  “Well…” She drew the word out long and slow.

  “I’m listening,” he said, steepling his fingers.

  She opened her mouth to say, “I’m giving my two weeks notice,” when she heard herself singing on the radio—with Keys. Oh, my God. That’s us singing that song I helped Keys with.

  “Wow,” Zander said. “Would you listen to those two singers? And her—what a voice.”

  Mia stood, stunned like she’d been shot between the eyes with a dart gun. How did this song get leaked?

  Zander cocked his head and listened to the song as if he’d been hypnotized.

  After the song ended, the radio DJ said, “And, that’s an exclusive track that you can only hear on KMNY. We just received a copy of this recording of an untitled song, sung by Keys, of Marked Love, and an unknown singer named Mia Song. I hope I said her name right. Is it Song? Soong? We’ll soon know, I’m sure when the world finds out. Now, callers, tell me what you think of this song. And, is Keys leaving Marked Love?”

  Mia stopped listening and stared at her boss. “I… I… I have to see to something.” She turned and rushed from his office. Her phone buzzed in her pocket as she scurried toward the ladies’ room. Glancing at the screen, she read Keys’ message.

  Syd is a dead man. He or someone in his studio leaked the recording.

  Immediately, she rang him.

  “Fuck!” he said into her ear. “How the hell did this happen?”

  “I know, right? I was just about to give notice when the song started playing in Zander’s office.” Mia locked herself in a stall and plunked on the toilet.

  “Wait,” Keys said. “Someone is ringing me. Hold on a sec.”

  “Okay,” she said. As she waited, she pressed her now trembling fingers against her mouth.

  Keys came back and spoke in a rapid, fragmented stream of consciousness. “I have to contact a lawyer. That was Syd. He swears he didn’t leak the recording. He said a couple of other people have used the studio since we were there. All he knows is that someone did a paparazzi for pay, and now there are speculation articles about me leaving the band and going solo springing up like mushrooms on the news and the Internet. Syd is trying to get to the bottom of this. This is not how I wanted my exit to be announced.” He sounded weary, not like the exuberant guy she’d left earlier this morning.

  “I’m so sorry, Keys.” Mia took a shuddery breath.

  “Stop,” Keys said. “None of this is your fault. But, I’ve got to try to get in front of it. I’ll call you later, okay? Just go and try to deal with Zander, okay?”

  “No. I’m your music agent. I should be the one getting in front of it. I’m not doing my job,” Mia said, squeezing her eyes closed. With her free hand, she pinched the bridge of her nose.

  “No, baby. Just deal with Zander. I don’t want you to worry about me and my career at the moment, okay, angel?” He spoke quietly, but Mia sensed an air of urgency in his tone.

  Not wanting to add to his stress, she said, “Okay. Call me when you can,” and disconnected the phone. Forcing her body to move, she rose and tromped out of the bathroom. With wooden legs, she shuffled down the hall to Zander’s office.

  “Why did you lie to me, Mia?” he said, the second she stepped into his office.

  “I… what do you mean?” she said. Her head weighed as much as a giant boulder. She could barely support it on her neck.

  He stared at his monitor. “Listen. TMZ reads, ‘Has Marked Love keyboardist gone nuts? He’s been seduced by an unknown artist who also professes to be his manager. She’s wooed him away from the band who has given him his success.’” He clicked another tab on his browser. “Or, how about this one? ‘Is Mia Song the Key to Love? Keys Johnson thinks so. He’s leaving his band to be with her.’ It goes on to say some not very nice things about you, calling you another Yoko Ono.”

  “Oh, God.” Mia slumped on one of Zander’s rust-covered sofas.

  “I can’t stop you from leaving, Mia, but I wish you’d hav
e kept me in the loop,” Zander said. “I want employees who are happy working here.”

  “I’m so sorry, Zander,” Mia said, swiveling to face him. “It’s been torture to think of leaving you. You’ve been so good to me. I escaped my home in San Francisco, where I lived with Darion, the guy who broke in my apartment last week. I, um…” She cast her gaze at the floor. “He was my abusive ex. I escaped, coming to Seattle to hide from him. That’s where I met you.”

  It was Zander’s turn to stutter. “You… I… I had no idea. Why didn’t you tell me you knew the guy who broke in and that he was your ex?”

  The look on his face exploded into a million pieces of emotional shrapnel in her direction.

  “I was ashamed, Zander. I lived with his abuse for years. Who wants to admit to living with an abuser? When I escaped, I wanted to put him behind me. When I met you, and you instantly offered me a job, I was so grateful. I still am. I don’t have to leave, though. If you need me, I’ll stay.” Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall, choosing to blink them into non-existence.

  Zander’s mouth pressed into a hard line, and he shook his head. “No, Mia. Now that I know your heart isn’t in the job anymore, I won’t let you stay here and work for me. I’m sorry, but employee satisfaction leads to success. Employee discontent leads to failure. You have a key position. It needs to be managed by someone passionate about her job. Your passion rests elsewhere. You need to follow it.” He straightened a glass award sitting on his desk, which he’d won at a rock climbing competition.

  Mia wished the sofa cushions would swallow her whole. Dying right now would be easier than sitting in Zander’s office, witnessing his disappointment in her.