were telling me about last time we spoke?”
He licks his plump lips and memories flood my brain of what he tasted like on my tongue. “Yes. I’ve written most of the songs for the new album. There’s one in particular that I’m really proud of. It’s called ‘Juliet, Forgive Me.’”
“That sounds like an interesting title. Does it have a meaning?”
He stiffens a bit and then nods. “It does. It’s my vision of what Romeo’s makeup song to Juliet might sound like if he had the opportunity to tell her he’s sorry.”
She grins. “Are you a fan of the classic Shakespearean works?”
“Very much so. Shakespeare is something very personal for me,” Ace answers. “Same goes for the new songs.”
Linda raises her eyebrows, and I can see the wheels turning in her brain as she begins digging a little deeper into what he means by that. “Did you write these songs with any particular person in mind?”
Ace tilts his head and rubs his index finger across the bottom of his chin. “I did, and she knows exactly who she is. I’ve got a lot of making up to do to this person, so I thought I’d start by telling her how sorry I am through a song.”
I gasp and then cover my mouth with my hand. Tears well up in my eyes, and it’s taking everything in me not to break down in front of all these people.
“When do you plan on releasing this song?” Linda asks.
He shrugs. “I’m not really sure. The label has control of all that, but I’m able to sing it now, if you’d like.”
The camera focuses on Linda, who looks straight into the lens like she’s speaking with her audience. “Wow. A new song debut right here on Celebrity Pop Buzz Nightly. This is a first for us.” She turns her attention back to Ace as someone from the side of the shot hands him a guitar. “Viewers are in for a treat, and I hope the young lady you wrote this for is watching. Ace, whenever you’re ready.”
Silence falls over the television for a few moments, and then the sound of Ace strumming the acoustic guitar strings come through the speakers, followed by Ace’s smooth, silky voice.
As the words flow from his mouth, he stares directly into the camera, and it’s almost as if he’s singing right to me. The song is about a tragic love story ending on a bad note and two people working hard to find a way to get back into each other’s good graces but screwing it up every time they try to fix it. He’s apologizing through the lyrics for meeting me at the wrong time and putting me through all the shit that’s gone on between us since he rode into my life, but those aren’t the things that strike me the most.
When he breaks into the chorus, he calls me his Juliet and calls himself the worst Romeo in history, but he wants to figure out how to be the best. He’s asking me to forgive him.
Tears flow down my cheeks, and I can feel the stare of every single one of my friends watching me as I stare at the man that I love, but can seem to never have, on the screen in front of me. I’m not sure what this even means for us, but I’m praying it’s a sign that he’s finally coming to me.
When the song ends, Linda thanks Ace for the moving performance and wishes him well with the new album before signing off, allowing the show to cut to a commercial.
Shane’s beside me, nudging his shoulder into mine, trying to cheer me up.
I swat away the tears and then sniff before acknowledging him. “Hey.”
“Hey,” he replies and then sighs. “I never stood a chance with you, did I?”
I glance over in his direction and see the sadness written all over Shane’s face. It sucks that he’s hurt, but I’m glad I never promised him anything other than friendship or I would’ve stomped all over his heart with this display of affection for another man.
I pull my lips into a tight line and shake my head. “That’s why I couldn’t give you more than friendship. I still love him.”
Shane forces a smile. “It appears that he still loves you too.”
Opening night has finally arrived. I’ve prepared for this moment for the last two months, and I’m finally ready to make my debut as Lesley, lead actress in Forgiving Lesley. I still can’t