do session work, but for you, it’s a good move. You have the talent to make it.”
“But so do you.”
“I’m not saying I don’t, but I like the niche I’ve carved, and I want a home. My old man roamed all over the world, never did find a place to rest. I don’t want to be him. I have a place I belong, and it’s here.”
“Cool, man. That’s cool.”
Dez smiled. “Yeah, it is. And as for that song, I’m leaving it alone. It brought me back and gave me something I’ve needed for a while, but that’s it.”
And an hour ago, he’d meant every word he said to Tre. He wasn’t playing that song, no matter how many people had already requested it. When he’d said he and Eleanor were over, he meant it.
But now with her sitting so close, he felt that ache so keenly—it ripped through him.
So close yet so very far away equaled torture.
As he played, he focused on the music, telling himself he scanned the crowd merely to gauge interest, to make sure everyone dug his groove. But his eyes kept finding her.
She never looked to catch his gaze.
Yeah, game over.
They ended the song and hearty applause broke out. Time for a break. He needed to check with the chef. Reggie said something about the shiitake mushrooms being spoiled and thus inedible, and then he needed to greet several of the merchants who’d shown for the opening. He signaled to the guys they’d take a break, but Champ smiled and shook his head.
Dez stood, but just as he turned to the audience, the band started playing...her song.
Eleanor’s song.
He blinked and shot Eddie a look, but the drummer kept right on with the soft beat, a grin on his face.
A smattering of applause broke out and Dez had no choice but to sink back upon the bench and put his fingers to the keys.
Shit.
He’d told Eleanor he wouldn’t play it. Daring a glance toward her, Dez nearly struck the wrong chord.
She watched him, a sweet smile on her face and tears shimmering in her eyes. Giving a thumbs-up to Tre, who managed a wink, Eleanor turned her full attention on him.
Something swept over him—a realization.
She’d arranged for the band to play the very song that had her scampering away over a week ago. So why would she coerce them in to playing something she’d been embarrassed of?
The intro faded and the time for him to sing the lyrics rose. He jerked his gaze back to her as he started the first verse, crooning about all she’d made him feel. Her gaze caught, held his, and something passed between them, something strong and true. And then he knew, as the tears trembled on her lashes, fell on satin cheeks.
This was Eleanor’s apology.
Because she wanted him more than she wanted her reputation, more than she wanted to please the others in her life, more than fear of the future.
This was her way of saying she needed him.
Wiping her cheeks, she focused on him, her smile no longer a mystery. He’d endured a week of hell, of heartache and anger, but everything in her smile flipped his world to right side up again.
I’m sorry, she mouthed.
His answer was to grab hold of the emotion, close his eyes and sing to her. Reverence poured from him as he sang about loving her. He begged her to feel it, for all to know of what she’d given him.
And when the last note faded and he opened his eyes, the world came back to him. At first he flinched at the riotous clapping. Several people hooted and the hum of voices drowned out the final shimmer of the cymbal. Dez looked at Eleanor...but she wasn’t there.
He stood, whipping his head from right to left, searching for her, but she’d left.
Then he felt movement, and turned.
Eleanor stood behind him, a smile on her face. “Hey.”
Dez didn’t return her greeting. Instead he swept her into his arms and kissed her.
Champagne and coming home—that’s what Eleanor tasted like. She twined her arms around his neck and kissed him back, laughter welling inside her as she held him tight. Around them the world applauded.
Finally, he broke the kiss and gazed down at her. “You came back.”
“Because I love you,” she said, reaching up and wiping what had to be red lipstick off his mouth. “I do. I never should have run. I should have been strong enough. I should have been the woman you expected me to