His hand is still resting on the small of my back, but his gaze is searching mine for something. There’s a question there that he wants to ask me. I sense it.
“Alexander!” A man’s voice startles us both enough that we pull apart.
Alexander rakes his hand through his hair, causing the strands to take their own liberties. He doesn’t look as put together as he did on stage. He’s imperfect now, in the most enticing way.
“This is only going to take a minute, Olivia.” He looks over at two older men in black suits approaching us. One is waving frantically, while the other follows closely on his heel. “That’s my music teacher from grade school and his husband. I invited them tonight. I need to spend a few minutes with them.”
I smile. “He must be so proud of you.”
“He taught me a lot.” He moves his hand to touch my forearm. “He taught me to respect music, to honor its unique voice. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.”
I inch back when the two men reach us. The one who was waving frantically takes Alexander’s hand, patting him on the bicep. “Would you look at you? I always knew this was your destiny.”
“All thanks to you, Chris.” Alexander sm
iles at him before he turns to the other man. “It’s good to see, Wayne.”
“You too, Alexander.”
I start to inch backward on my heels, realizing that this is a private moment that I shouldn’t be witnessing.
“This is Olivia Hull.” Alexander shoots me a smile. “Olivia, this is Wayne Rollington and my hero, Chris Morgenson.”
I shake both men’s hands, wondering if they’ve jumped to the incorrect conclusion that I’m more to Alexander than an acquaintance.
“I got your text message earlier.” Chris shoves both hands into the pockets of his pants. “I have to say that I didn’t know if you’d want to help us out, Alexander, but I’m grateful.”
“Me too,” Wayne adds. “We didn’t know what to do until you came along.”
“It’s not a problem,” Alexander says brusquely. “We’ll work out the details via text.”
Chris nods as if he’s reading between the lines. “That’ll work.”
I bow my head. Whatever they are discussing is private. It’s not meant for my ears.
These men don’t know me, so I’m not surprised that Alexander feels the need to keep the conversation limited to the three of them.
“We won’t keep you two.” Chris squeezes Alexander’s shoulder. “You’ve done well for yourself, Alexander.”
“You had a hand in that.”
Chris laughs. “I taught you the basics. You took that knowledge and ran with it.”
“We’ll be in touch.” Wayne extends his hand to Alexander and then me. “It was good to meet you, Olivia.”
“You too,” I say softly as they walk away.
Once they’re out of sight, Alexander’s hand is back on the small of my back.
His touch ignites something within me. I know he can feel it.
“I don’t want another interruption.” His voice is low and rough. “Let’s get out of here.”
I suck in a trembling breath. “You want to leave?”
“I need to leave,” he corrects me. “I want to be alone with you.”
He’s not outright suggesting that we go back to his place, but the implication is there. I’m not ready for that.