Page 142 of November

“We’re making plans here,” Maisie told her.

“Should I leave you to it?” she asked.

“What? No. Stay,” Maisie said, squeezing India’s hand under the table. “I am hungry, though. Want to order some food?”

“Yes. I’m thinking about a beer and a burger?”

“For me?” Maisie asked.

“No, for me,” she replied. “I’m asking Candace to bring me the best beer they have in this place.”

Maisie laughed and said, “All right, then. I’ll order the fanciest food item on the menu and the most expensive drink in the place. That way, when you hate the beer, we can trade.”

India kissed her.

???

“When I was young, my parents didn’t want me to learn any non-classical songs,” India shared as she sat at the piano with Maisie to her right. “They told me it would interfere with my learning.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

“I was also dancing, and there was classical music there, too, so I was a little burned out on it, and I started teaching myself songs that were on the radio or weren’t classics.”

“Yeah? How old were you?”

“Maybe nine or ten. They’d already split up by then, so whenever I’d get caught by my mom, I would tell her my dad said it was okay, or vice versa. They didn’t talk much, so I got away with it.”

“Smartandtricky,” Maisie replied. “I knew there was a reason I liked you.”

India laughed and said, “I have a few favorites I learned over the years. I was thinking I could impress you by playing some classical songs, but maybe something non-classical is more your speed.”

“Play whatever you want. I’ll listen,” Maisie replied.

“Okay. Well, why don’t we start with this one?” she said and began playing.

“Why do I know this?” Maisie asked, seemingly trying to figure out what the song was.

“It’sCan’t Help Falling in Loveby Elvis,” she replied and turned to look at Maisie as she continued to play the slow song.

Maisie swallowed, and after a moment, she said, “Yeah, sounds about right.”