I cut off before the full confession came out, but we both knew what I was going to say. Ava’s brush paused on the end of my nose, then she drew away suddenly.
She fumbled with the makeup in her bag as she spoke. “I promised them you’d be back this week,” she said sheepishly. “I don’t know why I said it. I never asked you when you wanted to, and… and—”
I reached out for Ava’s wrists, because I could hear that she was getting flustered. Her skin was hot, but welcoming. Electricity surged between us when we touched, making my heart come alive in my chest. I should’ve drawn away, but I couldn’t bring myself to. I was so entranced by her presence.
Ava didn’t pull away, either— at least, not right away. Her breath hitched. We just sat there for a moment, as if we were addicted to the sweet tenderness of each other’s touch. Neither of us wanted it to end, and so, we held on a beat longer than we should have.
Eventually, Ava dropped her hands. A chill rushed over my fingers where her skin had just been. All I wanted was to touch her again. The woman was like a drug— one hit, and I was done for.
“I— I’m sorry,” I stammered. “I shouldn’t have—”
“It’s okay,” she said softly. “I’m almost done.”
Ava dabbed more powder on my face, and neither of us spoke. Oberi didn’t make a sound, either. She was probably sitting over in the corner, cheering us on. The little shit.
I was deeply aware of every movement Ava made and every breath she took. It was like I had to drink her in when she was this close, because I didn’t know if it’d be the last time. Thank the ancestors she couldn't hear my heart racing in my chest.
“There,” she announced proudly when she’d finished. “You look hot.”
My cheeks flamed, but Ava quickly corrected herself. “For my fans, I mean.”
“Well, they’re the ones who care,” I pointed out, but it came out sounding lame.
To break the tension, I spun around on the piano bench and faced the keys, running my fingers over them lightly.
“What are we playing?” I asked. “Have you written anything new lately?”
“A few things,” she said as she sat beside me. Her proximity was intoxicating. “Most of it I’m still working on, but I’m almost finished with this one.”
A few papers rustled as she set them on the piano. “I just can’t get the last verse right. Maybe you can help me with the chords.”
“Sing it for me,” I suggested.
Ava began singing, and I nearly fell off the bench, it was so beautiful. When her voice filled the room, it was like nothing else existed but that incredible tune. I hardly knew up from down.
The scent of magic fills the air
This is my ancestry
Bound up in my hair
I rediscover what was me
Reclaiming all I once had
And who I am to be.
After she finished, all I could do was sit there, letting her words echo around in my mind. They were so beautiful, I couldn’t think.
“What do you think?” she asked.
“About what?” I replied lamely.
“The last verse,” she replied. “It needs work, doesn’t it?”
“The lyrics were perfect,” I said honestly. “I think you need a key change.”
I began playing chords to match the tune she’d sung, then switched them up on the key change.
