Page 49 of Diamonds

“Could I buy you a drink?”

“I appreciate the gesture, but I want to keep my wits about me for the Shostakovich.”I gesture toward the lobby.“But I wouldn’t say no if you wanted to purchase me a little goodie from the snack bar.”

“Gladly.”He leads me up the aisle back to the concert hall lobby and we get in a line in front of the refreshments station.

I scan the display.“That brownie looks pretty good.”

He kisses my neck gently.“A brownie it is then,” he whispers into my ear.

A rush of warmth floods my cheeks at his public display of affection.But I’m not embarrassed.I’m turned on.

Normally I hate when people are touchy with each other in broad daylight.I used to scowl at all the couples in secondary school who were snogging up and down the hallways between classes.

Maddox isn’t making out with me.That would hardly be appropriate.

But kissing my neck is still a rather intimate act.

And I want him to do more.

I’m dragged out of my thoughts as an elderly woman with cat-eye glasses wrapped in a fur coat walks in front of us, taking a spot ahead of us in the line.

I lean into Maddox’s ear and speak softly.“Did that woman just cut us?”

He tears his gaze from me and turns his head.The old woman is chatting pleasantly with the couple in front of us.

“Maybe they were holding a spot for her,” I say.

“Or maybe the old bat is trying to pull a fast one on us.”Maddox clears his throat.“Excuse me, ma’am.Did these people hold a spot for you?”

The old woman narrows her eyes at Maddox.“Sorry, dear.What was that?”

“He’s asking you if you just cut in front of us,” I say.

Maddox taps the gentleman in front of us on the shoulder.“Do you know this woman?She seemed to be talking with you.”

The guy in front of us frowns.“No, sir.She was just asking if we enjoyed the Beethoven.”

“So you didn’t save her a spot in line then?”Maddox asks.

The gentleman shakes his head.

Maddox turns his focus back to the elderly woman.“Then, ma’am, let me show you to the end of the line.”

“Is that really necessary?”The old woman asks.“Intermission is nearly over.What difference does it make if I’m in front of you?”

“The difference is that if you wanted this spot in line, you should have gotten up here faster.”Maddox points to the back of the line.“Now, before I have to flag down an usher.”

The old woman scowls at Maddox.“Back in my day, fellows like you used to act like gentlemen.”

“I will act like a gentleman if you act like a lady, ma’am,” Maddox says.“Do I have to escort you to the back of the line myself?”

She sneers.“You wouldn’t even be at this symphony tonight if it weren’t for me and my husband, young man!We’re high-tier donors, you know.”

“I don’t care if you’re the Queen of Sweden.You can wait at the back of the line, lady.”

The old lady sputters at Maddox for a moment before finally leaving the line entirely and disappearing into the ladies’ room.

I grab Maddox’s hand.“My hero!”