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“Good.” He went to his violins to tune them.
Lex revisited his earlier ruminations and said, “I need to talk to you about something.”
“Shoot.”
Lex stood, went for a scotch, then told Jax, “Has it occurred to you that we’re writing music in tribute to Katarina, but it’s Lily who’s been providing the inspiration?”
Jax’s jaw tightened.
Lex pontificated further. “I watch you watch her, when you play. I watch her, too. And that’s when we have the ultimate harmony.”
Apparently, Jax needed a stiff drink for the conversation as well. Lex didn’t press him. Let him pour a brandy and take a few sips.
Jax appeared somewhat agitated with the subject matter. Or perhaps it was the answer he delivered that riled him.
Jax said, “Yes, it has occurred to me. More than that, though . . .” He let out a low groan.
Lex’s brow crooked. “I’m listening.”
Jax took a deep gulp, then said, “There’s a bigger picture here. A much broader one. We should face the fact that we’re composing music for one woman while falling in love with another.”
He speared Lex with a look. One that da
red him to deny it.
Lex couldn’t. Though he posed a very delicate question. “So what is this CD really about?”
Jax didn’t even hesitate. “Call it releasing the ghost.”
Lex set his cocktail aside. “Jax, we’re talking about—”
“I know what we’re talking about,” he all but growled. “A woman who has haunted us for seven years. A woman who has pretty much made it impossible for us to move on romantically. Even separately from each other. Sure, we’ve both screwed around over the years. But it was just screwing around, Lex. Right?”
Shoving a hand through his hair, Lex said, “Yes. I became extremely good at one-night stands because I didn’t want any sort of commitment.”
“Well.” Jax gave him another steely stare. “What we have with Lily has gone beyond a one-night stand. What we have with Lily is—”
“Jax, she’s leaving,” he stressed. “Do I like it? No. But it’s a fact. And we can’t stop her. Not when it’s so important to her. Not when it’s been a part of her life plan since she was a kid. Not when it involves scattering her mother’s ashes. For fuck’s sake—who understands that better than two men paying tribute to the woman they once loved?”
Lex was tempted to reach for his scotch to help bring his blood pressure down a notch or two. But it might impair his good sense to the point that he changed his stance and convinced Jax they ought to talk Lily into staying.
The two men stared at each other. Neither one seemed to know what direction to take with this unexpected attraction. No . . . this unexpected relationship.
Though Lex found himself saying, “We have to consider that—”
“Good evening, you two.”
Lily swept into the room, capturing their undivided attention with her beauty and the sapphire gown she wore. Another glimmering creation. One Jax had picked out.
She greeted Lex with a sweet kiss.
He said, “You look sensational. A sight for sore eyes.”
“Thank you. I love the new dress. You shouldn’t have, though.”
“It was Jax’s doing. His favorite color.”
She stepped forward and kissed him as well. “I didn’t realize. So thank you.” Turning back to Lex, she asked, “And what’s your favorite color?”
