The Prelude (A Musical Interlude Novel) - By Kasonndra Leigh Page 0,21

be willing to learn something from new experiences?”

“Am I allowed to say yes to both of those?”

He gives me a Fabio style smile. “Ah, dear Erin, they are both one and the same, trusting someone else and believing in you. Accepting one simply leads to discovering the other hidden element inside yourself.”

“I never thought about trust that way,” I answer truthfully. “I guess it all makes sense.”

“Who would you like to trust?”

What the hell ever. Just tell him. “My new boss.”

“You left Black Butterfly?”

“No. I was hired to design a new line by this Maestro. He’s kind of a big deal. I’m scared as hell. And I don’t want screw up.”

“Why do you believe you’ll be unsuccessful?”

That’s a trick question. I have several answers for it. The main one being that I have a mega crush on the Maestro. Oh, and did I mention I can get fired if we wind up screwing around? And don’t even think about what could happen if things get crazy and we wind up hating each other. I take the safe route with my answer. “I really want to impress him. With my work, that is.”

Petre doesn’t miss anything. “You like this man. Is he the first person you’ve been attracted to since your last boyfriend?”

Another tricky one. “I haven’t exactly been a nun, Petre.”

“I’m aware of that, but this man is different. I can tell by the way you’re glowing, today. You’d like to be able to trust him. Then maybe you’d consider allowing him a chance to move beyond the walls you’ve erected around fragile Erin, protecting her.” He gives me a knowing smile. I’m conflicted inside. I like that he understands me so well, but I don’t enjoy the times when anyone gets this close to figuring me out. I think of the way Alek compared me to a song as I prepare my reply to Petre’s comment

“Are there really any walls around me? Or could it be that I’ve just been asleep? Maybe I’ve been kind of hanging out and waiting for the DJ to play the right song to stir me up a bit.” That’s what Jada would say, anyway.

Everything that came out of her mouth was compared to music. My chest tightens as I think about the day she died, the one time I’ll always regret being a coward for the rest of my life. “Geez, you’re rubbing off on me too damn much,” I scold, sharing a light laugh with Petre, and trying to put on a brighter face. He’s like the father I no longer have around.

“Open your mind, Erin. However you choose to do so. Whether it’s believing in your abilities or seeing yourself as a sleeping beauty who needs to hear the right words to break her spell. Either way, life will reward your bravery.”

I inhale and hold my breath a short moment before I say, “I hope you’re right.”

Chapter Five

Alek

The limo eases to a stop in front of Giacomos, one of my favorite restaurants in all of Italy. With sweaty palms stuffed in my pockets, I wait for Hagar to get out and open Erin’s door. My mother’s trusted driver passes a smug grin toward me as he walks over to Erin’s side.

Watching Erin Angelo step out of the car stops all of my bodily functions, except for one. I see nothing and notice no one else but the woman wearing a sunny colored dress. She could easily have stepped straight out of a fairy tale.

I inhale deeply. The dress she wears hugs her curves and highlights her dark hair swept up in the characteristic bun. I’ve always considered gold to be the color that’s most like a musical note: grand, regal, a knockout. Not just any note either; but I’m talking about the very first one in the most important section of the song—the part that either turns you on because the pitch sounds so good, or pisses you off because the note fell too flat.

She prances straight up to me, smiling in a way that lets me know she has enjoyed my take-charge gestures. I worried all night about how she’d handle my actions. I give her my most charming grin in return. Living in Italy for the past four years has taught me a thing or two. Mother’s wrong if she thinks I’m all player and no heart. She’ll see.

“Hello, Alek,” she says in her throaty voice that flows all through me whenever she speaks.

“Ms. Angelo. You look stunning, as

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