Playing the Maestro by Aubrie Dionne Page A

great body—embarrassment. Melody gulped. “Yeah?”
    “I think it’s best we retain a professional relationship for the good of the orchestra and our own careers.”
    “You’re right.” His words punched her in her already twisted gut. She felt the floor tilt underneath her. She’d totally ruined the best date she’d ever had with the most charming man she’d ever met. No biggie.
    Wolf’s eyes were cold as ice, his face closed like a locked door. “See you at rehearsal?”
    Melody struggled to regain an ounce of her composure before breaking down in the produce section and giving the deli men a show. “Yeah.”
    “Good. I’m glad I caught you so we could get this settled.”
    Melody resisted the urge to whimper. Settled sounded so final. “’Bye, Wolf.”
    “ Tschüss .”
    Whatever that means.
    Melody watched him turn the corner and disappear.
    …
    Guilt and regret swept through Wolf’s heart as he left Melody in the produce section. Their one kiss still burned hot on his lips. He’d been dreaming about her ever since, and had done everything in his power not to press her number into his phone.
    Wolf threw a pack of ramen noodles into his grocery cart, trying to convince himself he didn’t need a woman’s cooking to get through the week, or a date to go out to eat. He was very adept at the whole processed-foods thing. Yeah, as long as he cut a few carrots and boiled them with his meal now and then, he was doing just fine. And he could make a mean batch of scrambled eggs.
    Had Melody mentioned if she was a good cook?
    He blinked, trying not to let the little voice in his heart speak again. Sure, he’d enjoyed spending time with her and opening up, but at what cost?
    Making sure he didn’t run into Melody again, he made a beeline for the register. Another gray, curled head bobbed between the magazine racks.
    Great, now I’m seeing Ms. Maxhammers everywhere I go.
    He turned the corner, and a fashionable silver cane tapped his leg. “Not so fast, maestro.”
    “Madame Maxhammer!” Wolf blinked in surprise. “I didn’t think I’d see you here.” She’d placed three bananas and ten cans of caviar on the grocery belt.
    “Yes, I buy my own groceries like the rest of the population.” She tapped the caviar cans with her elaborately ringed fingers. “Although, I may not buy the same thing as your typical elderly woman.”
    Wolf glanced back at the aisles behind him. Hopefully Violet wouldn’t yell out “Mozart” again. “You have very exquisite taste.”
    “I’m testing different brands to decide which one to have at our fund-raising auction later this month.”
    “Ah yes, the auction.” He’d almost forgotten about it while trying to get donors for the orchestra. If only his problems were which caviar to choose.
    The grocery clerk rang her up, putting all of the cans in a double bag. She paid for it with a hundred dollar bill. “Keep the change, hon.”
    The girl’s eyes widened as Ms. Maxhammer turned to Wolf. “You’re here alone, Mr. Braun?”
    He gulped. “Of course.”
    “Good. You can help me with my bag.” She tapped the grocery belt.
    Behind him, Wolf heard little Violet singing the songs he’d taught to the hospital children. Oh how he wished he could turn around. Instead, he paid for his ramen noodles and picked up her bag. “I’d love to.”
    Boy, that was a close call.

Chapter Twelve
    Near Death’s Door
    Melody dreaded rehearsal more than doing her taxes, and she had enough odd jobs and alternate incomes to claim for three people, never mind one.
    Just pretend nothing happened and play your part. But it sounded so much easier than it was. Just entering the stage made her hyperventilate. That was never good when you needed your full lungs to play a high C. Worst of all, she hadn’t been able to focus on her practicing, so she wasn’t the most prepared, either.
    “Looks like you’ve seen a ghost.” Carly stared at Melody as she plopped into her seat.
    “Oh,