Heartbreaker (Unbreakable #1)(65)

“What kind of supplies?”

“Not sure. It looked like a case of metal boxes of colored pencils. Another case had paints, I think. Drawing pads and about a dozen small canvases.

Drawing and painting were different than sculpting—and each other. It had been years since I’d done either: high school and first-semester art school. “I’ve never taught art before.” Or anything, for that matter.

“No biggie.” She glanced back at her brother. “Just thought I’d ask.”

My heart ached for her. For them. “Well, I suppose if there’s no judgment, I could learn as I go.”

“Really?” Excitement buzzed in her tone.

“Hey, now. I’m not promising amateur to Monet, or anything.”

She snorted. “I suck at all things on paper. You keep me in the lines? You’re a success.”

“When? How often?” Then a thought occurred to me. “Any pay involved?”

“After our meetings. And no. I’m pretty sure it’s volunteer. That okay?”

“Yeah.” I leaned over and looped my arm through hers. “It’s totally okay.” And it was.

After all, I’d sought something outside of my art to brighten my spirit and had found trail running. Darren had gifted me that. The least I could do was give them something in return.

As I sat in the posh hotel lounge, arm in arm with Logan, Darren glanced my way. Only this time, instead of my body responding with a sexual heat, a different kind of warmth surged through me. And instead of spreading outward toward erogenous zones, it flowed inward, settling into a heaviness right in the center of my chest.

Love.

Incredibly, I didn’t fear the emotion. I welcomed it.

I tightened my hold on Logan as I stared intently at Darren. I watched as his expression transformed into something that resembled pride.

And for the brief moment in time, while he immersed himself into his passion for music, in front of those he cared about and sought to protect, a part of me began to believe he could protect me—that he was my miracle.





Darren…

We wrapped up the second set by 10:00 p.m. I stowed my gear, then led Dino and Gordie, our sax player, to introduce them to Logan and Kiki.

Pumped from one of the most surreal experiences of my life, I couldn’t wipe the shit-eating grin off my face. I’d been cool and relaxed while playing; the music took me there.

Now? My hands began to shake. My mind still couldn’t wrap around it.

I’d played with Dino Mathis.

And we’d been awesome. Like we’d jammed for years.

To ground myself, I stared at my girls who had nothing but pride all over their faces. “Logan, Kiki, this is the great Dino Mathis.”

Nervousness buzzed inside of me, only for a new reason now: I hoped Kiki liked the music. And that she felt comfortable with my new crew—guys I’d be working with for months on end.

A throat cleared beside me. “And his lowly sidekick, Gordie.”

I blinked. “Oh, dude. I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Don’t sweat it.” He arched his brows. “You’re now the lowlier sidekick.”

Dino shook the girls’ hands. “Ladies, it’s an honor to meet you.” His southern drawl oozed charm. “Darren didn’t tell us how beautiful you both were. Which one’s Logan?”

“I am.” She crossed her arms. “But don’t be getting any ideas, Dino. I’m jailbait.”

“Me too.” Gordie batted his eyes at Dino.

Everyone burst out laughing. Because even though Dino was closer to my age—twenty-five to thirty tops—Gordie had to be pushing sixty. Not that anyone cared. Music knew no age.

When the chortling died down, Dino clapped his hands. “Who’s hungry?”

“Me!” Logan thrust both arms in the air.

Kiki’s jaw dropped. “You polished off—”

“Shhh!” Logan shot Kiki a glare. “No one needs to know the details. I had a tiny appetizer. Growing girl. High-speed metabolism.”

Dino gestured forward with the broad sweep of his arm. “After you, my lady. This swanky establishment has offered us dinner on them. And I am famished.”

I grinned, then roped an arm around Kiki, whispering an educated guess about Logan’s appetizer, “Danish?”

“Cake.” She wrapped an arm around my waist as Dino and Gordie flanked my sister on the way to the restaurant.

“Chocolate?”

Kiki gave a nod.

“I bet she had two.”

Kiki glanced at me, then Logan. She pressed her lips together, but amusement twitched the corners. “Not telling.”

“So what did you think?” I had an amazing time, but jazz wasn’t for everyone. A split second after I asked, anxiety pinged in my gut. I wanted her to like our sound, my playing, more than I’d realized.

“I loved it.” Her face brightened with a wide smile.

I blew out a relieved breath, then nodded with a grin as warmth spread through my chest. “Good.” Fantastic, actually. Meant we had yet another thing in common.

She moved in front of me, following our group as the hostess led us toward a more private table on the back patio. Before we made it out the doors, we paused while an older couple got up from their table, her with a walker, him with a cane.