Cross My Heart (A Contemporary Romance Novel)

take one of the seats, and then sat himself.
    “She plays violin for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.”
    “I know that, too.”
    “What’s she doing here? And how do you know her?”
    “Her son’s an old friend. We went to college together. I’ve known the family for years. When I happened to mention the fact that I was looking for a few classical musicians, Sally kindly offered to—”
    “Sally Vale is one of the most famous violinists in the world.”
    “Yep. You should check out the other one, too.”
    She’d only had eyes for Sally, her gaze riveted on the graceful hands tuning her instrument. But now she looked at the others, and when she noticed the violinist who’d just sat down, she grabbed Michael’s hand. “My God. Is that Anthony de la Vega?”
    “I believe it is.”
    “Did you go to college with his son, too?”
    “No, but I operated on his wife a few years ago. I must have done a decent job because he seemed to think he owed me a favor.”
    She couldn’t say anything else. All she could do was sit and stare at the two violinists and the musicians around them, waiting with breathless anticipation.
    There must have been an invisible cue, because all at once the tuning stopped, and every bow was at the ready.
    Sally gave a quiet nod, and the music began.
    It was Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins .
    The music danced around her, through her, the notes spilling into the beautiful church like raindrops, light and soft and sparkling, each one more rare and precious than diamonds.
    Jenna had listened to glorious music before but never like this. Never had she been so pierced and exalted, the music taking her mind and heart, body and soul.
    When they played the largo ma non tanto , it was almost too much beauty. There was an ache in her throat, an ache in her heart, and she found herself fumbling for Michael’s hand. He squeezed her fingers in a warm, strong grip, and somehow he seemed to anchor her, steady her, so that the soaring music couldn’t carry her too far away. She closed her eyes and let it shimmer through her veins, knowing all the time that Michael was there with her.
    When the concerto was over they played another piece by Bach, and then another. When they finished Jenna stood up with Michael beside her, clapping and calling out “Bravo!” and “Brava!” while the musicians took their bows.
    “We’re glad you enjoyed it,” Sally said with a grin, coming over to shake Jenna’s hand. “It’s always a pleasure to play for a true aficionado. Now, if you don’t mind, we have a date downtown with a pool table and several pitchers of beer. I’d ask you to join us, but I suspect this gentleman has other plans for you.”
    She winked at them, and then Michael was tugging her away, back down the aisle and out of the church.
    Once they were on the sidewalk she turned to look at him. “Michael.”
    He looked down at her, his head tilted to the side. “Yeah?”
    She swallowed. “That’s the most incredible thing anyone’s ever done for me. I never...I...”
    Words failed her. She laced her hands behind his head and pulled him to her for a kiss.
    When the kiss was over he cleared his throat. “I only did it for ulterior motives. I’m trying to get you into bed.”
    “Mission accomplished.” They looked at each other, smiling, before continuing down the sidewalk hand in hand.
    When they got back to the restaurant the valet brought the car around, and in another minute they were driving out of the city again.
    “Would you open the windows?” Jenna asked suddenly. “It’s such a perfect summer night. I want to feel the wind.”
    He opened all four windows and the moon roof, too, and Jenna closed her eyes and let the cool air rush over her.
    Michael reached for her hand. They drove the rest of the way like that, in a silence as rich and harmonious as the Bach had been.
    When they got home, they made love for hours. Michael touched her like she was precious, looked at her like she was the most beautiful woman in the world. They couldn’t seem to get enough of each other, and the knowledge that it was their last night made them both reluctant to spend a minute sleeping.
    “What are you doing?” he asked once, as she lay in the cradle of his arms.
    Jenna realized she was chording against the hand that held hers, her fingers pressing lightly against his skin. “Sorry,” she said sheepishly. “I was thinking about the music, seeing if I could remember how to play it. I