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“Why don’t you take a seat? I’ll go get us a bottle of wine.” With that, he turns and strolls toward the bar area. Taking a seat, I have a perfect view of the stage. A few minutes later, Chase returns with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. Pouring us both a glass, he sits next to me. “This is such a beautiful building,” I murmur.
“They say this is one of the best sounding classical concert venues in the world. I took an elective in architecture and learned the side balconies are very shallow to avoid trapping or muffling sound, and the coffered ceiling and statue-filled niches along three sides help provide excellent acoustics to essentially every seat.”
“Wow, you are just a plethora of useless information,” I giggle.
“It was an interesting class, but yeah, I’ve never needed to know that until now.”
Everyone takes their seat as the cocktail portion of the evening is over. While waiters scurry around taking dinner orders, a single violin starts to play on stage. The melody is familiar, but I can’t place it.
“It’s Bach. Partita No. 2,” he answers my unspoken question.
“How did you know I was wondering what was playing?
“Your eyebrows crease when you’re thinking, and you tilt your head slightly to the left,” he says, caressing my hand. “I think it’s adorable.”
“Glad to know I have a tell.”
“Oh, sweetheart, you have quite a few.”
“I do?”
“Don’t panic,” he teases.
“So, what else do I give away?” I ask.
“Nope, not telling,” he answers, a devilish smile playing on his lips. “I’ll keep them in my back pocket for leverage.”
“Leverage against what?”
“Oh, you know. Just in case.”
“Fine,” I sulk.
The lone violinist leaves the stage and an older gentleman in a tux asks for our attention. “Good evening, ladies and gentleman. Thank you for coming to the twenty-fifth annual Boston Symphony Orchestra Gala.” Everyone applauds and he waits for the noise to settle before continuing. “Tonight, we celebrate the musical genius of Johann Sebastian Bach,” he says, and everyone claps again. “Please, enjoy the sounds of the Boston Symphony Orchestra as we play some of our favorites.”
When he finishes speaking, the orchestra takes the stage. As they tune up, Chase turns to me. “Have you ever attended a symphony before?”
“No, this is my first.”
“What do you think so far?”
“I think it’s lovely. A bit much, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from you.”
“Wait until you hear the sounds, nothing compares to listening to the symphony live.” As he finishes his sentence, the orchestra begins to play. On a screen behind them, the names of the pieces they’ll play are listed.
They start with Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, Allegro. Chase was right, listening live is a totally different experience. It’s like the music is surrounding me, entrancing me. Closing my eyes, I let the soothing sounds carry me away. As I concentrate on the chords, I hear a soft chuckle.
Opening my eyes, I see Chase watching me. “What?” I ask.
“You. You amaze me,” he breathes.
“What do you mean?”
“Watching you, it’s like I’m experiencing things for the first time, too. I love the way you immerse yourself in everything you do.” Tucking a stray hair behind my ear, he whispers, “There’s nothing you do that I don’t love. I am head over heels in love with you.” His fingers caress my cheek, trailing down to my chin.
I know he’s said he loves me before, but this feels different. It’s like he’s professing his love, forever. Fuck, I wish I could say it back. I want to, it’s just . . . something’s holding me back. Fucking Evan.
Not wanting to hurt his ego, I turn and kiss him on the cheek. Staring into his gorgeous blue eyes, the only thing I can think to do is thank him. “Thank you, for everything you do for me.”
