Without Pretense Page 21

  “About that…”

  “Hang on, partner, let’s leave business talk until Monday unless it’s urgent.”

  “It can wait. But I do love it when you call me partner. Now, I should let you mingle with the rest of our guests.”

  “I suppose.” Ava glanced at Bianca who had watched the whole exchange. “You’ll be close?”

  Bianca leaned in and whispered, “Of course, darling. Right here if you need me.” But you won’t. You’ve got this. Ava had come a long way over the years. She was much more comfortable talking to people now than she realized. Given everyone in the room was already a friend, this would be a piece of cake for her. Bianca was so proud of her. She’d set out to make something and she’d worked hard to make her dream a reality.

  “You still look at her like you did two years ago. You’re absolutely glowing,” Elena said.

  Bianca turned toward Elena. “I’m even more in love with her than I was then.”

  “I know.”

  “I’m glad you could make it.”

  “How could I not? I did help make this happen you know.”

  “I know you did. Ava and I are both so grateful we had someone we could trust to help her set this up. It’s nice to have a lawyer in the family.”

  “It looks like Ava’s family all made it too.”

  Bianca glanced over to where Ava stood surrounded by her parents, Lara, and Damon. She waited a moment to see if Ava needed her. Ava met her gaze with a smile. She was fine. “Yes, she’s really excited that Lara’s decided to attend college here after her gap year. She’ll only be an hour away. I suspect we’ll see a lot more of her parents now, especially with the baby coming. Her mom has talked about coming over for months at a time and with her dad so close to retirement, I wouldn’t be surprised if they relocated at least temporarily until Lara figures out what she wants to do after college.”

  “I bet you’ll see a lot more of Mom and Dad for a while too, once the little one arrives.”

  “That will be fun. It’s probably a good thing we bought the bigger house.”

  “Absolutely.”

  They both looked over when someone started tapping the microphone to make sure it was live. Vicki spoke into it. “Ava, it’s time for you to give that speech you’d rather not give.” A ripple of laughter moved throughout the room. Ava looked to Bianca who nodded and walked toward the front of the room to be near while Ava spoke. Ava took the microphone from Vicki.

  “You’re a partner in this. Why am I the one who has to give the speech?”

  Vicki grinned. “Because the whole thing was your brilliant idea.”

  “Right, that.” Ava turned to the crowd. “Welcome, everyone, thank you for joining us in celebrating the launch of our new recording studio and music school.”

  Light applause erupted around the room.

  “As Vicki so gallantly pointed out, this idea started with me, but it never would have come to fruition without the tremendous effort of so many of you in this room. Thank each of you who had a hand in making this dream of mine into a reality. I can’t possibly thank each of you as much as I’d like, but I do need to extend an extra special thanks to a couple of women here. If it hadn’t been for my partner, Vicki, and our amazing lawyer, Elena, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Their tireless determination turned the spark of an idea into the brilliant fully formed studio and classroom you see around you. Vicki and Elena, thank you from the bottom of my heart.” They all exchanged hugs as the room filled with applause. “Now, Bianca, would you come up here, please?”

  Bianca took the few steps necessary to be at Ava’s side. “My amazing wife, Bianca, was the first one I shared this idea with. She never let me brush it aside or give up on it. Her encouragement and support is why I’m here today. Bianca, thank you for being the best part of my life and for loving me, forever and always. I love you.”

  Bianca leaned in and whispered, “You nailed that speech, babe. I will love you, always.”

  Ava’s smile was brilliant. She cleared her throat. “Now that I’ve made it through the speech portion of the evening, what do you say we get this party started?”

  The crowd cheered.

  “If you’ll indulge me, I’ll like to play one song for you that I’ve written for Bianca. This is the first time she will hear it.”

  Bianca whispered, “What did you do?”

  Ava kept addressing the crowd. “After that, the band will take over and we can dance the night away. Let’s celebrate the reason we’re all here, music. Thank you, all, again for coming and supporting us. Please enjoy yourselves tonight.”

  When Ava placed the microphone back in its stand, Vicki appeared at her side with her violin. “Thanks, Vic.” She lifted the violin, looked directly at Bianca, and began to play.

  Every time Ava played her violin, Bianca was in awe of her talent. Having her play a song she wrote for her, that was beyond overwhelming. As Bianca listened to the rise and fall of the notes, the waves and crests of the melodies, her heart expanded and her love for Ava grew bigger and deeper. She laid her hands on her abdomen, making a connection with their unborn child. She was overpowered by the emotion Ava conveyed with her instrument. As the last note faded, she closed the distance between them. She pulled Ava into a soft kiss. “Thank you, that was beautiful.”

  “You’re crying.”

  Bianca felt her face and wiped away the moisture. “Happy tears, darling, such happy tears.”

  “Well, all right then.”

  “Would you dance with me?”

  “I will indeed, but first I promised the band, I would play one song with them. Then I’m yours for the rest of the night.”

  “You’re going to play drums right now?”

  “I was planning to, if you don’t mind.”

  “I don’t mind, darling. You’re mine for the rest of our lives.”

  “I will never forget that.”

  Bianca walked away to find another drink while Ava got settled behind the drums. Elena found her as the bartender was handing her a club soda. Together they walked to the side of the room.

  Elena looked toward Ava and back to Bianca. “Do you still get hot when she plays?”

  “Every single time and now she’s going to play drums. I don’t think you’ve seen this yet. Brace yourself. Just thinking about it turns me on. She’s going to have to take me home soon.”

  Elena laughed. “Perhaps I should go find Vicki and ask her to dance.”

  “You’re a very smart woman.”

  Bianca watched from the sidelines as couples started to gather on the dance floor. Ava had encouraged her to follow her own dreams. Her second romance novel was due out any day now. Ava was her biggest supporter. She was fortunate for so many reasons and she would never take that for granted.

  She focused on Ava as she played the drums with her heart and soul. She was married to a woman whose talent could not be contained by a single instrument. Luckily, Ava had made peace a long time ago, with both parts of herself. She no longer denied the rocker part of her soul. She loved both the violin and the drums and now she was free to play them both anytime she wanted.

  By the time Ava finished playing the one song on the drums Bianca was so hot she downed her club soda in one gulp, trying to get a handle on the flames. The embers threatened to become a raging inferno when Ava wrapped her arms around her from behind and gently kissed her neck. “Are you ready for that dance? I’m all yours.”

  Bianca pulled Ava’s hands down to her abdomen, so they were both connected to their baby. “Yes, you are. But I need a moment before I can dance. You make me so hot when you play.”

  “Take all the time you want, as long as I don’t have to go anywhere.”

  “Oh, I’m counting on you holding me up.”

  “You got it.”

  Bianca gasped. “Did you feel that?”

  “Was that…?”

  “The baby’s first kick, you did feel it.” Bianca turned to face Ava. The look of s
hocked wonder made Bianca’s heart melt. She wound her arms around her neck and leaned in for a gentle kiss.

  Once they came apart, Ava laid her hand gently back on Bianca’s stomach. “Wow.”

  “You seem so surprised. Don’t you remember what it was like to have Lara kick when she was inside you?”

  Ava’s lips turned down at the corners. “Sure, but I was afraid and sick with worry the entire pregnancy. I don’t have very many, if any, happy memories of that time. So, this is all new to me. Being excited about this baby coming into our life, it’s so good.”

  “It’s all good. The baby, our life, our family, we have so many good memories to make.”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  “Me too. I’m ready for that dance now.”

  “Right this way, sweetheart. Your dance card is full.”

  “As long as it’s with you, that’s just the way I like it.”

  The End

  About the Author

  TJ Thomas lives in western Massachusetts where she enjoys a quiet life with her college professor wyf, Elle, and their animals. TJ works in IT by day, but her passion is writing, and she spends much of her free time in that pursuit.

  TJ and Elle are equidistant from their two adult children who live in London and San Diego, and they enjoy traveling to all points in between and beyond.

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