No Strings Attached by Erin Lark

damn. I was hoping to add some nice flare to our show.”
    Our show. “Wait. What?”
    “You did say you wanted to play with us.”
    “I did, but, isn't there an audition or something?”
    “What do you call what you just did?”
    “And you're sure I'm not taking this spot from someone else?”
    He shook his head and started to collect the sheet music, adding it to whatever else he had in that duffle bag of his. “If I had someone, I wouldn't have asked. Our next practice is on Wednesday, so if you could make it...”
    I broke down a few of the stands, then worked on folding the chairs. “I'll try, no promises, though. I need to get things shifted around at work.”
    “About that, you said something about not having a job?”
    I stopped to look at him. “Jay was probably overreacting but he asked me to work today after firing one of the staff. Now I'm stuck with more hours, probably so I can train kids who'll bail on us after their first paycheck.”
    “I know how that goes. We've had a few cases like that. Well, not after the first paycheck, but certainly the first time they played in front of an audience. Too much pressure for them I suppose. Would be nice if we could pinpoint the ones who'll stick around, you know?”
    “If that was possible, there'd probably be no such thing as temporary or holiday pay.”
    “True.” Returning to the stage, Thayre picked Angie's case off the floor, took his baton out of his back pocket and placed it inside the case before closing it again. “I think that's everything. I'm free until two if you want to do anything.”
    I hugged my arms around myself to keep from shivering. “I was actually going to ask...” I dropped my gaze. “The other thing we talked about, I'd like to try.”
    Something thunked on the stage, likely Thayre's violin case, as he set a hand under my chin. “Moyra, look at me.” I did. “Is this because you think you owe me something or—”
    “It was your baton, actually.” I licked my lips, but I couldn't escape his fierce gaze. Heat rose in my cheeks. “It reminded me.”
    He furrowed his brow. “You're sure.”
    I nodded.
    “Okay.”
    “Really?” That's it? No 'call me Master' or anything?
    “But not today. Give yourself a day to think it over. When do you finish work tomorrow?”
    “If I'm lucky? Seven or eight.”
    “We'll make it eight-thirty, then. Text me once you're off work, and I'll meet you at your place.” I was about to ask why my little apartment instead of his house, but he beat me to it. “I'd prefer it if you were comfortable with the setting, so we'll start at your place and work from there.” He took my hand, collected his things, then guided me toward the door leading out into the hall. “For now, I'd like to hear what other ideas you might have for music.”

Chapter Nine
    T he following evening, I slipped out the back door at work before Jay could convince me to stay and close up while he went out and got drunk somewhere else. He may have seen me leave, or called after me, but I was too far in my own head to notice.
    And at exactly eight-thirty-two, Thayre hit the buzzer at the ground level of my apartment building. I'd had an entire day for my nerves to settle, but they only got worse as the day went on. To me standing—no, scratch that—pacing inside my apartment.
    Someone's footsteps approached the other side of the door. Passed it completely, continuing down the hall to, no doubt, ride the elevator to the lobby. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, and I paced a little faster. Headed for the kitchen, turned, then walked toward the hall leading to my bedroom.
    On my third pass, I threw a glance at the digital clock above the television. Eight thirty-three.
    The knock on the door stopped me in my tracks. Turned my gaze. Why am I so nervous? It wasn't like this was our first date.
    I opened and closed my hands, but they kept shaking. I suddenly felt as though I should've put something else on. Something