“I’ll start one on Monday for her, you stop by anytime next week and we’ll add some personal touches.”
Ben smiles and I see a mixture of gratitude and relief on his face, “Thanks Rose, I really appreciate that. I can stop by one day after work, if that works for you?”
I smile, “Sounds good.” I lift the basket and flower arrangement, “Do you need to walk me back to deliver these?”
Ben chuckles and shakes his head, “Nah, everyone here trusts you. Besides, you know where everything is. The performer is in dressing room number one.”
I smile as a slight blush stains my cheeks at his compliment, “Thanks Ben, I won’t be long.”
I make my way down the hall, the closer I get to the dressing room, the more I can hear the soft strains of the violin. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in all the years I’ve made deliveries here, it’s never disturb the performer if they are practicing. Keeping that in mind, as I reach the door, I forgo knocking and quietly enter the dressing room and stand mesmerized by the sight before me. World-renowned violinist Alek Berringer cradles his instrument against his shoulder, lost in what I believe to be a sonata by Bach.
He’s even more handsome than the posters or the internet would lead you to believe, and younger too, maybe mid-thirties. Dark hair falls across his forehead and an array of emotions cross his chiseled features as he pulls the bow across the strings. The beautiful sound envelops me and I find myself closing my eyes getting lost in the music.
It takes me a minute to realize that the music has ended, and as my eyes begin to open, my cheeks flame in embarrassment as icy blue eyes meet mine. Blinking I begin to ramble as I try to explain my presence in his dressing room.
“Oh, um, I am so sorry.” I raise the items I’m holding as I continue and walk toward the table in the room. “I was making a delivery and you were playing so beautifully I didn’t want to disturb you.” He doesn’t say anything, just watches me move about the room with his head cocked to the side, a ghost of a smile on his firm looking lips. With everything situated, I begin to back away towards the door, “Okay, well I’m going to get out of your way. Good luck tonight.”
I turn toward the door and place my hand on the knob, ready to escape my embarrassment, when I hear him speak behind me.
“Wait.”
Chapter 2
Alek
My eyes open as I finish my practice piece, and lower my violin, only to find a woman standing silently in my dressing room. Her arms are laden with gifts, her eyes closed in appreciation of the piece I just finished. Silence falls around us, as her eyes snap open in realization that the music has ended. Flustered, her face turns a bright red, and her brown eyes look everywhere except at me as she begins to explain her presence.
I listen to her explanation as I admire her beauty. Dark brown hair falls in waves over her shoulders, and she nervously tucks it behind her ear as she moves about the room. Khaki pants and a pink polo shirt don’t do her curves justice but the color looks good on her.
I need to say something, but I’m completely mesmerized by her beauty and thoughtfulness for not disrupting my practice. As she finishes placing the items on the table, and begins to move toward the door, I panic as she turns to open the door.
“Wait.”
Her head falls forward and her shoulders slump before she turns to face me. “Look, like I said, I’m sorry I disturbed you, I just needed to make a delivery.”
“Oh no,” I say as I begin to move toward her. “Please don’t apologize; you were only doing your job.” I offer her my hand as I introduce myself, “Alek Berringer.”
She turns more fully to face me, relaxing as she accepts my hand. “Rose McDaniels. Thank you for understanding. You play beautifully, by the way.”
I bow slightly at her compliment, “Thank you. I trust you are staying for the performance?”
“Me? Oh no, I was just here to make the delivery.”
“But you are a fan of classical music, are you not?”
“I am, but…”
“Then please, let me arrange for you to stay for the performance.”
She begins to shake her head, “Really Mr. Berringer…”
“Alek, please.”
This time she smiles as she says my name, “Alek. As much as I appreciate the offer, I should be going.”
I step closer, unable to stop myself, “Are you sure I can’t persuade you to stay?”
She gently shakes her head, eyes dropping to the floor before returning to mine, “I really should go.”
Defeated, I reach for her hand, bring it to my lips, and brush a soft kiss over her fingers. She gasps in surprise and I wonder if she felt the same current, I did. “It was a pleasure to meet you Rose.”
“It was a pleasure to meet you too, Alek. Good luck with your performance tonight.”
“Thank you.”
She opens the door and slips into the hallway to leave. Standing in the doorway, I watch the gentle sway of her hips as she walks toward the exit. When she reaches the door, Rose exchanges a few words with the security guard as he opens the door for her. The sound of her laughter floats down the hallway, and I find myself hoping to hear it again soon.
Footsteps sound behind me, and a hand lands on my shoulder as my manager, Vince Cornetti steps up beside me. He follows my line of sight down the hall, “What’s got you so captivated?”
“Nothing.” I turn and step back inside the dressing room. “Are we still on time for tonight?”
“Yep, right on schedule,” Vince replies as he thumbs through the cards attached to
