Playing the Maestro by Aubrie Dionne Read Free Book Online Page A

if a name would make her any more real. “She’s sick. And she likes turtles.”
    His face softened. “I hope it’s not too serious?”
    Melody shrugged, trying not to get too emotional in Toys-R-Us holding a giant turtle while an old woman counted pennies. “We’ll see.”
    He gazed deep into her eyes, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. “You must be very fond of her to shop at the break of dawn for a stuffed turtle.”
    “I am.” A smile broke through Melody’s lips. She didn’t mind living vicariously through Laini when it came to Violet. “My sister is generous enough to share.”
    “How lucky for you, and for your niece.” His eyes looked far off into the parking lot beyond the front doors of the store. “I have two nephews back in Germany. They like to wrestle me to the ground.”
    Melody blinked. Two little boys wrestling Mr. Stoneface on the carpet? Impossible. Yet hilarious.
    She laughed despite herself. “I bet you give them a run for their money.”
    “Two toddlers, when they gang up, are stronger than you think.”
    She pointed to his three boxes of wands. “That’s a lot of wands. Are those for them?”
    Wolf glanced at the wands as if they were the most normal thing a man would buy. “No. Not exactly what I came in for, but they will serve their purpose.” His face closed up like a book slammed shut as he looked toward the cashier.
    Guilt trickled through Melody for being so nosy. But guilt didn’t keep her from wanting to know why a grown man would shop at Toys-R-Us on a weekday morning for sparkly wands.
    If they weren’t for his nephews, then who were they for?
    Did he have kids of his own that he wasn’t telling her about? Like five or ten? Blinking, she chastised her overactive imagination. Honestly, you’re not dating him. It’s none of your business. So why did she glance at his ring finger? Wasn’t she supposed to hate him?
    Empty. Naked. Bare. No Mrs. Braun waiting at home.
    “Ninety-eight. Ninety-nine.” The older woman closed her change purse in triumph.
    The teen behind the cash register slid the money across the counter and dumped it into the drawer without counting it. Her voice was a dead monotone. “Thanks for shopping at Toys-R-Us.”
    K-pazz popped a bubble and looked at Melody.
    Just as the conversation was getting interesting… At least it kept her from asking embarrassing or inappropriate questions.
    Melody plopped the ridiculous representation of sea life on the counter. “Just this.”
    “K.” The teen rang her up. “Twenty-nine ninety-nine.”
    Melody swiped her credit card. “No change for me.”
    Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Wolf watch her carefully as the teen handed her the receipt and she signed her name.
    The teen looked at the stuffed animal as if it were a boulder she couldn’t move. “Do you want a bag?”
    “No, thanks.” Melody lifted it from the counter and turned back to Wolf. “See you later.”
    “Enjoy your time with your niece.” His voice was uncharacteristically kind, making Melody pause and smile. Wolf held her gaze. All the anxiety of her sleepless night disappeared. She felt as though she was saying good-bye to someone she’d known forever.
    “See you at rehearsal.” Melody smiled, but with the mention of the orchestra, Wolf’s face turned to stone. Did he regret telling her about his nephews? Like somehow she’d use the information against him?
    Wolf paid for his own purchase but stepped aside instead of walking out with her. He didn’t even bother to respond.
    Jeez, I was just making polite conversation. Anger boiled in Melody’s chest as she rushed from the store to her car and stuffed the turtle in the backseat. Ten kids or not, I’m not falling for another musician. My spontaneous dating days are over.
    …
    Wolf pretended to be absorbed in organizing his wallet, so he didn’t walk out with Melody. Every time he saw her, she drew him in, melting the stone facade he’d constructed to preserve