Page 32 of Strings

“Yeah, I could tell by the way you kissed me.”

“You know what?” I say as he opens the door. “You’re a mother fuck…” I smile, my words trailing off when I see people staring at us. Realizing I’m still holding the earring, I stuff it into my pocket. This is worse than sucking a bag full of lemons with a canker sore.

“Lorenzo Siaclopoti, this is Natalia Pearson.” An older gentleman with white hair stands and takes my hand, kissing my knuckles. That’s twice in one week. What is this place?

“Lorenzo is our visiting conductor from Italy. He’s—”

I interrupt. “The composer of the ‘Il Portatore di Luce’. I’m a huge fan, Signore Siaclopoti. I especially loved the piece you composed for the Deutsches-Symphonie Orchester Berlin. It touched my heart.”

Sebastian pauses to examine me, blinking repeatedly as he stares. I try not to smile, although I want to flick him off.Yes, I did my research, asshole.

“Why thank you, Natalia. Please, why don’t you sit next to me?”

“I would be honored.”

Sebastian immediately pulls out the chair for me and when I sit, he hesitates, staring briefly at the chair next to mine. I’m guessing he’s so used to sitting next to the conductor, he doesn’t know what to do with himself.

“Nothing better than a beautiful woman at your side, eh, Sebastian?”

“No, Signore. There’s nothing better.” He leans down and whispers in my ear as he sits. “You’re good.”

His breath is hot and minty and his lips graze my ear. I feel a slight chill and I don’t like it. I turn toward him. “You’ve got nothing on me,babe.”

He doesn’t say a word, but his lip curls up on the side. I feel an insane amount of strange satisfaction from his response. Now, if that was all I had to do, I’d be golden, but this stupid thing is just starting.

I get the feeling I’m being watched, which shouldn’t be a surprise. I assumed people might be shocked to see us together. I gaze around the room to see Bella placing her napkin on her lap and making conversation with the gentleman next to her. Not her, for once. Hmm. As I look from person to person, I finally find the source of the burning eyes. It’s Cherese.

She smiles and lifts her glass to me. It’s nice to see a friendly face, although right now, I don’t feel like the way she’s glaring at me is friendly.

“Miss, can I get you a glass of wine?” the waiter asks.

“Water is fine.”

“No, no, no, bella… you must have a toast with me.”

“I’m sorry, what did you call me?” I feel a fire in my chest.Did he call me Bella?

Sebastian clears his throat and leans over, whispering, “He means beautiful. Bella is beautiful in Italian. Jesus, don’t have a cow.”

“Did I offend?” he asks.

“Not at all. It was just so nice to hear a compliment for once. It’s like pulling teeth to get Sebastian to say anything nice.”

“Surely Sebastian tells you you are beautiful all the time, no?”

Sebastian leans around me to make eye contact with the conductor. “I do, Signore, but she doesn’t believe me. She’s constantly saying she’s brutta.”

Sebastian shrugs and purses his lips as if he doesn’t know what to do with me. I made it obvious I don’t know Italian and now he’s using it against me. I hope he can tell by the look on my face that I think he’s a fucker.

“No, Natalia, you must not say such things. The universe listens. You are beautiful, not a beast!”

Sebastian coughs out a small laugh as he sips his wine. I grit my teeth and place the heel of my shoe over his, then press down, digging it into his foot.

His opposite knee jerks and hits the table, causing the plates to shake. Everyone turns to stare. I place my hand on his back. “Everything alright, darling?”

He composes himself quickly. “Everything is splendid, babe. I just wasn’t aware the rose I chose was so thorny.”

“Keep it up and you’ll need more than a cane when we leave,” I say with a fake smile for the sake of onlookers.