Page 54 of Diamonds

To fill the space of silence with beauty… With emotion…

There’s nothing quite like it.

But music also broke my heart.Multiple times over.

And me leaving the UK to pursue two degrees in music is the reason my mother…

No.I won’t let her ruin this magnificent evening.

I stare blankly at Will, unsure of what to say.

Perhaps he’s playing a trick on me.He and the other associate conductors are about to go behind closed doors and laugh at meek little Alissa Maravilla.The failed flautist who actually believed she had a shot at a position with the CSO.

By this point, Maddox has walked up behind me.His strong arms are on my shoulders.

“When are auditions?”Maddox asks.

Will crinkles his forehead at Maddox.“I’m sorry.We haven’t been introduced.”

I blink.“So sorry.Will, this is my boyfriend, Maddox Hathaway.”

Will’s eyebrows jump.“Maddox Hathaway.TheMaddox Hathaway?”

Maddox rolls his eyes.“The one and only.When are the auditions?”

Will clasps his hands.“Next week.By appointment.”

Maddox nods.“She’ll call you.”

Will grins.“Great!We’re looking forward to hearing you, Alissa.Prepare any piece you like.Whatever shows your skills off the best.”

I look up at Maddox, narrowing my eyes.Then I look back at Will.

“Of… Of course.”

“Wonderful.”Will shakes my hand again.“It was great to reconnect.Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to schmooze a few donors.I’ll see you next week.”

I force a small smile.“I guess you will.”

With that, Will disappears into the crowd.

Maddox hugs me from behind.“Look at you!Can you believe my girlfriend is getting recognized by the orchestra higher-ups?”

I turn to him, my eyebrows furrowed.“Why did you speak for me?”

He sears his gaze into mine.“Because this is what you want, Alissa.”He gestures toward the concert hall.“You belong on that stage.You should be making music.”

“You haven’t even heard me play.”

“I don’t have to.I could tell just watching you listen to the symphony.You were living and breathing it in.This stuff is what you were put on earth to do.”

“I’m a perfectly good nurse.”

“And I would have been a perfectly good city councilman.”He shrugs.“Doesn’t mean it’s my calling.My calling is the shop.And your calling is music.I just know it.”

I look down, kicking softly at the floor.“I haven’t gotten the gig yet.”

“I know, baby.And even if you don’t, you’ll still have a stable job at the hospital.But tonight you were in the right place at the right time.That conductor guy recognized you, remembered your audition.That has to mean something, right?Feels kind of like fate to me.”