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As if she’d still be around for it.

The nerves shaking my bones apart slowed, giving me a little more control over my hands again. I took a breath and settled on the floor. As if her movements were tied to mine, Hayden followed, sitting cross-legged on the carpet in front of me. I plucked at the strings, one at a time, searching for the familiar tune that had nestled along my bones for weeks now.

Hayden’s tune.

The steadytwangof the strings flowed into a softer melody, and I kept my eyes on my hands, watching my fingers stretch between the frets. A small part of me was still too nervous, or shy, to meet Hayden’s eyes just yet.

Almost as soon as I started, my fingers slowed to a halt, and I cleared my throat before lifting my gaze to Hayden. Her eyes shone with wonder, her lips parted slightly, tugging up into a smile.

“You’re beautiful,” she said, and all the blood in my body shot up into my face.

“Is my playing so bad that you have to compliment something else?” I coughed, casting about for something,anything, to distract from the intensity in Hayden’s green eyes.

“It was beautiful.” She chuckled, her elbows resting on her knees. “Just like you.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, and cleared my throat. “For more than just the compliment.”

“What more do you have to thank me for?”

“A lot.” I sighed, setting the guitar on the floor beside me. “For taking care of my family. I don’t think I could ever tell you how grateful I am for that.”

“You don’t need to tell me,” Hayden said. “I did what I could because I was able to.”

I nodded a little jerkily, my throat thick with emotion. “I promise I’ll pay you back.”

“I don’t want your money,” Hayden said, her expression clear. “I’m all in if you are.”

I blinked, my breath leaving me in a flutter. “All in?” I repeated, my voice barely a whisper.

She nodded. “I hated seeing you burn out.” She sighed. “I know how stressed out you were, and I know the transition of the store didn’t make it any easier.”

I chuckled a little hysterically. “So, I don’t have to pull double shifts anymore?” I asked. It felt too good to be true.

“I should fucking hope not, Frankie.” Hayden blinked at me, her voice stern, the cutthroat businesswoman peeking out for just a second. “And, in the future, I hope you tell me when things get tough again. I want to help because I care about you.”

Tears stung my eyes, and I tried to blink them away. “I’ll have so much free time,” I mused, my voice thick and shaky. “I won’t even know what to do with myself.”

Hayden’s eyes flicked over to the guitar on the floor next to me, and then back at me.

“Use it for yourself,” she suggested. “For your music. Maybe get some tuba lessons.”

I giggled wetly, the tears slipping free and scorching my cheeks. Hayden cooed and crawled forward, taking my face in her hands and kissing away the tears.

“I could definitely use some lessons.” I sniffled.

Hayden hummed, kissing the corner of my mouth. “Your fingers, however,” she crooned suggestively, lacing hers with mine. “They’re exceptionally skilled.”

She pressed her lips to the back of my hand, her eyes dark with want. Lust sparked low in my abdomen, a delicious shiver skittering down my spine.

“I’m glad you seem to think so,” I murmured, my cheeks aflame.

“Oh, I hold your fingers in high esteem.” She grinned. “Almost as high as your tongue.”

“Is that so?” I purred, gladly slipping into the heat of her breath on my lips.

“Your tongue is a national treasure,” she said, cocking a perfect brow. She pressed her lips to mine, humming into my mouth. “It’s a shame, really.”

“What is?”