The lieutenant nodded slightly and gave her hand a quick, snug shake. “Aria.”
“Lieutenant.”
Dexter’s hand remained on her back. “Did you guys know that Aria was the one playing the piano out there a few minutes ago?”
“Really? That was you?” Hank’s eyes widened. “Greco said he had a surprise lined up for Cindy and me today. An intangible wedding present, he called it. But I wouldn’t have guessed this in a million years. Fantastic. Thanks, Aria.”
“You’re most welcome. It’s an honor for me to play for you and Cindy today. I can’t wait to meet her.”
“I see you’ve all been introduced.”
Aria turned toward her father’s voice. “Yes, we have.”
“Thank you, sir.” Hank shook her father’s hand. “Great surprise. Cindy’s gonna be thrilled.”
“You’re welcome. Aria, I understand there’s a soda machine in the basement. I’ll introduce you to Cindy and the other ladies. Then we’ll go downstairs and wet our whistles before you hit the keys again.” Dad offered the crook of his elbow and smiled. “She practices like a perpetual motion machine. It’s hard sometimes to peel her away from the piano.”
Aria took her father’s arm. “It was nice meeting all of you.”
Dexter’s hand slid off her back as she turned to leave with her father. The warmth of his touch dissipated instantly. “See you later,” he called after her before she and her father turned at the end of the short corridor.
She didn’t look back, but tossed a wave over her shoulder. “I certainly hope so,” she said under her breath.
“What’s that you say?” Dad patted the hand she’d hooked on his arm.
“It was nothing, Daddy. Nothing at all.” Her cheeks heated.
Chapter 2
Clean and tastefully decorated, the small basement snack area couldn’t be cozier. Aria sat at a bistro-style table and kicked off her shoes. Her father had been wise to suggest she take a break before the guests started to arrive. Condensation dampened Aria’s palm. She shook it off and switched the ice-cold Sprite to the other hand. “It was nice of Cindy to invite me to stay for the reception, wasn’t it?”
“Mm-hmm. Figured she would.” Dad turned toward the snack machine and dropped a few quarters into the money slot. “Share some peanuts?”
“Sure. You don’t think my staying is too much of an imposition, do you? After all, these dinners are meticulously planned, and—”
“She wouldn’t have asked if it was an imposition.” Dad grabbed the peanuts that dropped, opened them, and shook half the nuts into Aria’s cupped palm. “You remember the pretty blonde you just met upstairs in the bridal room?”
“Lieutenant Giordano’s wife, Audra?” The couple reminded her of Barbie and Ken.
“Yeah. She helped plan the whole wedding. Her parents own this chapel and the reception hall next door. Did you notice how she excused herself and made a phone call right after Cindy invited you?”
“Yes. What about it?” She hadn’t thought anything of it.
“I overheard her telling someone to add another setting to the Greco table. Looks like you’ll be sitting with your mom, me, and Dexter.”
Well now, that just put a cherry on top of the invitation. She tipped the Sprite to her lips and hoped the bottle would hide her grin. A few swallows of soda sizzled her throat with a pleasant burn and matched the warm, tingling sensation in the pit of her stomach. “Can’t say I’d mind sitting next to him.”
“Don’t set your sights on my sergeant, Aria. He’s not your type.”
“I thought you liked Sergeant Dexter. You’ve always spoken highly of him.”
“Of his abilities as a fighting man, yes. He’s an asset to the unit. One of the best guys I’ve ever had on the team. But his track record with women?” Dad shook his head. “Not so great.”
A bad track record with women could mean anything from unlucky in love to being an outright womanizer. The neutrality of her father’s voice suggested that the sergeant fell somewhere in the middle.
“Look, Aria. Don’t get me wrong. Dex is a nice guy, but—”
“All I said was I wouldn’t mind sharing a table with him. He seems very nice. Polite. Truth be told, I wouldn’t balk if he asked me to dance. Nothing wrong with that, is there?”
“I guess not.” Dad’s chest rose and fell with a deep breath. “A little Saturday-night fun might be good for you. Other than the occasional trip to the city to visit your friend, you don’t seem to get out much.”
Whether or not she ever laid eyes on the sergeant again, she planned to enjoy his company tonight. First things first, she had to concentrate on playing for the wedding. “Since I wasn’t here for yesterday’s rehearsal, maybe you should give me an overview so I’ll know what to expect. Every couple seems to do things a little differently.”
“Good idea.” Dad nodded, took one more sip of his soft drink, and laid out the order of service for her.
“Easy enough.” The wedding, though small, sounded as traditional as it could get.
“Oh, and stay put at the piano because the ceremony will go fast. Hank and Cindy opted not to do any add-ons like lighting a unity candle, saying self-written vows, or having special singing.” He chuckled. “Just the way I like it. Short and sweet.”
Aria had to laugh. Dad had never been one for long, showy ceremonies.
“The only reason Hank and Cindy are having a traditional wedding is to honor their parents. Yesterday they told us they’d rather wear flannel shirts and jeans and get married at the local justice of the peace.”
“Then I say hooray for them. Obviously, they love their parents as much as I love mine. Thanks for asking me to play for them today.”
* * * *
Her dad hadn’t been kidding when he said the service would go quickly. The ceremony had been short, but the couple’s heartfelt vows left no doubt they’d live happily ever after. Aria played the exit march, and the bride and groom filed out of the auditorium. Their attendants followed, and the double doors closed behind them.
Aria transitioned to a softer melody as Marcus stepped to the front of the platform. “On behalf of our newly married couple, I’d like to thank you all for coming. Because of the small size of the chapel’s foyer, the wedding party will be greeting everyone in the reception hall next door. Hank and Cindy look forward to having dinner with all of you tonight.”
The last cluster of guests funneled out the doors, and Aria ceased playing. Outside murmurs of conversation bled through the stained glass and trailed off as people made their way down the canopied walkway to the reception hall. If not for the gentle whisper of forced hot air blowing through registers near the floor, the room would be engulfed in total silence. And loneliness.
What now? Rush over to the reception hall where the crowd was lining up to greet the bride and groom, or stay a few minutes and enjoy the sound of a perfectly tuned baby grand? Easy choice. She opened her tattered blue music folder and propped it on the stand.
* * * *
Cold air followed Dexter into the church foyer and fluttered through a leaflet on a side table. He pushed open one of the sanctuary doors and crept inside.
Eyes closed, Aria sat at the piano with her hands dancing over the keys, her whole being apparently immersed in emotion the musical score evoked.
It seemed a sin to disturb her, but he padded silently down the carpeted aisle and stepped onto the platform. “Hi.”
“Hello, Sergeant.” She continued to play.
“Thought I might find you here.”
“This is a very nice piano. It has such a deep, rich tone that I found it hard to tear myself away.” Aria looked at him, her smile a cross between coy and playful. “Does the sergeant have a first name or does he prefer military decorum?”
“It’s Jason, but my friends call me De
x.”
She swayed and leaned into the music. “Jason is a nice name. I like it.”
It had been a long time since anyone outside his family called him by his given name. Strange, but he barely identified with it anymore.
“Something wrong, Sergeant?” Her brow crinkled.
“No, nothing. I prefer Dex, if you wouldn’t mind.”
“Then Dex it is.”
A handwritten score stood on the music stand, and a number two pencil lay in the groove in front of it. Dex pointed at one of the sheets. “Mind if I take a look?”
Aria shook her head. “No, go ahead.”
“Did you compose this?”
“Yes. It’s something I’ve been working on for quite a while. Do you like it?”
“From the little I’ve heard of it so far, I’d say it’s amazing.” No exaggeration. Aria was a magician on the keys. “The notation itself is worthy of framing.”
She stopped playing. Redness colored her jawline and tinged her earlobe. “Thanks. That’s nice of you to say.”
“I meant it. It’s a beautiful melody. Very expressive.”
“What does it express? I’d love to hear your thoughts.”
“I’m not sure I can put them into words on the spur of the moment. Besides”—he set the music back on the stand—“I’m here on a mission.”
Aria swiveled on the bench and looked up at him, her brown eyes sparkling in the glow of an overhead light. “A mission?”
“To escort you to dinner.” He offered the crook of his arm. “Shall we?”
* * * *
Aria’s parents waved from their table as she and Dex entered the reception hall.
“Hi, Mom. You look beautiful.” Aria kissed her mother’s cheek then slid into the chair Dex pulled out for her. “Nice dress. Love that color on you.”
“Thank you. I was trying to think outside the box when I chose turquoise. It’s not something I usually buy.” Mom smiled at Dex as he took a seat next to Aria. “So, did you find her stuck to the piano?”
“Yes, ma’am. I had to practically pry her off the bench to get her to come over here.”
“I can believe that.” Dad gave a smothered laugh.
Dex nudged Aria’s arm and gave a playful wink. “Just kidding.”
“I know.” She didn’t mind his kidding one bit.
“Oh good.” Dad rubbed his palms together. “Here comes the food. I’m starved.”
Dinner passed in lively conversation. As waiters cleared the last of the dishes from the tables, Hank and Cindy stepped out for their first dance as a married couple. The DJ played another slow song, and couples migrated to the dance floor.
Dex leaned toward Aria. “Dance with me?”
She suspected his pinky brushing against hers wasn’t purely accidental. “I’d love to.”
Dex’s arm slid around her waist as soon as they stepped onto the wooden dance floor. His fingers coiled around her right hand, and with a few skillful turns, he whisked her toward the center of floor where they were surrounded by dancing couples. “I was hoping to have a few minutes alone with you.”
“Oh?” What a coincidence. Dex’s cologne flooded her senses. His closeness made it hard to think, much less breathe.
He brandished a killer smile. “Are you enjoying yourself tonight?”
“Oh, yes. Very much so.” With music, dinner, and now dancing with a dreamy guy, the evening couldn’t get much better.
* * * *
“So tell me, maestro, do you make your living exclusively from playing music, or do you have a regular job as well?” Dex guided Aria out of the way of an oncoming couple then fell back into the gentle sway of the dance. “Or is that too personal a question to ask?”
“It’s not personal at all. Unfortunately, playing music doesn’t keep me financially afloat. I wish it did. I’d like to find a position in an orchestra or even play for something like a long-term musical stage production. Maybe one day.” She sighed. “Things aren’t turning out exactly as I’d dreamed.”
The cosmic clash between reality and expectations often resulted in disillusionment. Aria’s wasn’t hard to discern, at least in that area of her life.
“Hey.”
She looked him square in the face. “What?”
“Don’t give up on your dreams. You’ve got what it takes to make it big in the music industry. I just know it.” Judging by her skill level, she’d dedicated a good portion of her life striving for perfection. She deserved the recognition of fame and hopefully fortune for her achievements.
“Thanks for the encouragement.” Her eyes brightened and her smile returned. “I hope I haven’t given you the impression that I’m miserable with my lot in life. To finish answering your question, yes, I have a regular job. I work at my uncle Angelo’s music store. It’s quite nice, and I enjoy working for him. Several evenings a week after work he lets me use a studio above the shop for giving private piano lessons. Advanced students, mostly high school and college aged.”
“What? No beginners whose parents force them to take lessons by using a cattle prod?”
“No, I don’t accept those.” She burst into a hearty laugh. “I wouldn’t want to end up like your music teacher, wishing death on any of my students.”
“Good for you. Keep your sanity.”
The song came to an end.
Aria started to back away.
Dex held onto her hand as another slow melody began to play. “Double header?”
She paused, held him in her sights for a long moment, then smiled and moved back into his encircling arm. “I would love to.”
* * * *
“What do I know about you? Whatever do you mean?” Aria would play coy and let Dex prod her.
“When we first met in the chapel, you said it was nice to finally put a face to a name you’d heard quite often. Your father had to have said something about me for you to say that.”
Glacial-blue eyes, manly lips, and now that Dex had shed his tux jacket, shoulders and arms that felt perfectly sculpted through his white dress shirt. Goodness, but he was handsome. How awesome it would be if only she could say, “Just stand there and let me look at you awhile.” No touching, lewdness, or sexual innuendos. Just unfettered gawking like a tourist circling and admiring Michelangelo’s David.
Heat crept up her neck. Her father was right. She really did need to get out more.
“Aria?” Stooping slightly, Dex looked into her eyes as if to check if anyone was home.
“Huh? Oh. I was gathering my thoughts.” A pitiful cover, but the best she could come up with on the fly.
“And?”
“Okay, here’s everything I know about you.” She cleared her throat. “You’re an expert marksman with sniper capabilities, you like to play small-stakes poker with the guys, and you’re well liked by everyone in the unit. How am I doing so far?”
“Good. Do I have to brace for the bad stuff? You know, the mishaps and screw-ups?” Dex laughed. “Knowing your dad, he probably enjoyed telling about those things.”
“Actually, he makes it a point not to say anything disparaging about you guys in front of our family. He’s big on keeping those things private. You know, what happens in the unit stays in the unit.”
“Really?” His two-tone response denoted a bit of surprise. “Interesting. What else did he tell you about me?”
“Let’s see. You share a rental house with two other teammates, Zook and Stanley, and you like to cook. Dad says your chili is so hot it actually singes his ear and nose hairs when he eats it.”
“My chili is legendary.” Dex laughed. “But it’s not for the faint of heart.”
“My dad loves it. Says Corporal Jackson eats a whole tube of Rolaids after downing a bowl. By the way, Jackson lives here in New York, doesn’t he? I thought he’d be at the wed
ding, but so far I haven’t met anyone by that name.”
“He is a New Yorker, but he had prior family obligations. An elderly family member’s birthday, if I remember correctly. The other guys wanted to come too, but with such short notice, and it being so close to Christmas, they’d already made plans.”
“Speaking of Christmas, are you planning on coming home for the holidays?”
Dex grinned as if he didn’t believe the quasi-nonchalance she’d attempted to infuse into her tone. “Yes, barring any sudden deployments, I’m coming home.”
With any luck, the smile on her face looked much tamer than the one she was holding back.
Chapter 3
The warmth of childhood nostalgia settled deep in Aria’s chest as the pickup notes for Lionel Ritchie’s “Three Times a Lady” played over the sound system. As if it were yesterday, she could remember sneaking down the stairs when she should have been in bed, sitting on the steps, and looking through the spindles at her parents dancing in the living room to the same tune. It thrilled her as much now as it had then.
It came as no surprise when her father rose from the table, extended his hand toward her mother with a knowing smile, and led her to the dance floor.
“They look good together out there.” Dex nodded toward them and smiled at Aria. “Nice to see the boss relaxed and having a good time.”
“I love watching them dance.” No matter how many times she’d seen them dancing through the years, it always made Aria’s heart swell to see the subtle looks of love and affection that passed between them. “They look happy, don’t they?”
“Yes, they do.” Dex scooted his chair closer to her. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Why is it that your family doesn’t live in North Carolina with your dad? I know he’s always flying to New York to be with you guys, and your mom sometimes comes down to visit him, but I’ve always wondered about that. Especially since your parents are obviously crazy about each other.”
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