“Just don’t mention who your grandfather is or that you’re linked to the Russian mafia,” I warn. Josephine had a run-in with that side of Chloe’s family not long ago. The less she knows about Chloe’s link to them, the better.
Chloe snaps her fingers. “Oh, darn it. I was so hoping to wear my ‘I’m an ex-mafia princess’ ugly Christmas sweater for the show.”
I laugh, keeping my attention still on the road. “Do you really have one?”
“Of course,” she says on a laugh. “It’s all the craze.” Her laughter dies away. “Anything else I shouldn’t bring up?”
“No, that’s about it. Just stick to talking about the performance, and it will be fine.”
I parkthe jeep in Josephine’s massive driveway and escort Chloe along the path to the door of the mansion. The late afternoon sunlight is rapidly dwindling with the approaching sunset, which is due in another hour or so. Not that you would know it from the thick cloud cover.
“Wow,” Chloe murmurs under her breath. “Are you sure royalty doesn’t live here?”
Hollywood royalty, perhaps.
Chuckling, I ring the doorbell. The deep melodic chimes of “Silent Night” play from within the house.
“Josephine doesn’t believe in waiting until after Thanksgiving to get into the Christmas spirit,” I say.
Chloe examines the huge, elaborate wreath on the door. “I can see that.”
The front door opens. Juanita takes one look at us, and a big grin lights up her face. “Miss Josephine and the troops are waiting for you in the living room.”
“Troops?” Chloe glances at me.
“She doesn’t mean the military.” Based on Chloe’s expression, that’s exactly what she’s thinking. “Juanita is referring to Josephine’s two closest friends.”
“Ooh, you’re in for a surprise. There’s someone else who has joined them.” Juanita takes our jackets, and I guide Chloe into the large living room.
“And there he is,” Josephine says, grinning at us from a plush cream-colored couch. As always, the woman is elegantly dressed, as are all three of her friends. None of them lack for money. “And you must be the sweet Chloe my Isabelle told me all about. Have a seat.” She gestures at the empty love seat across from her.
In addition to the usual two suspects—Henri and Liza—who are sitting on armchairs, a second man is seated next to Josephine on the couch.
“Chloe, these are my friends, Henri, Liza, and Andrew.” She gestures to each of them with a wave; they grin at Chloe in turn. “Isabelle told me you need help organizing the Christmas show with your little tykes. She also mentioned you don’t have anyone to accompany them when they sing. So this is where Andrew will be helping us out.”
The man in question rubs his hands together. “As you’ll soon see, I’m quite an accomplished pianist.”
Henri snorts a laugh, an amused gleam in his eyes. “Quite the accomplished pianist?” He explains to Chloe and me, “This istheAndrew Stanton, world-renown pianist, and the winner of seven Tonys for the music and lyrics he wrote. Each one for an award-winning Broadway musical.”
Chloe’s mouth drops open for a heartbeat before she recovers herself. “That’s incredible. Thank you.”
She might be attempting to look composed on the outside, but I can tell from the way her eyes shine, she’s trying not to squeal and bounce on the seat.
“No, thankyou.” His voice is crinkly and fragile like antique sheet music. “I can’t remember the last time I got to play in front of an audience. I’m not exactly in high demand these days.”
“That’s why they call it retirement,” Liza points out.
“Since when did retirement mean being sent to the valley to chomp on grass for your remaining days?” He winks at Chloe, who laughs.
And red-hot desire shoots straight to my cock. She really is beautiful, both inside and out.
I turn my head in time to catch Liza soundlessly applauding. Her attention is on Josephine, but she’s bopping her head in Chloe’s and my direction.
“I’ll admit I have no idea what I’m doing,” Chloe says, not noticing what Liza is up to. “The teacher who usually organizes the school shows is on maternity leave, and I don’t have any musical talent.”
“That’s where I come in,” Josephine says. “While I might not have the vocal pipes of my younger days, I can certainly teach those little tykes a few songs. Which ones are you looking at performing?”
Chloe lists six or seven. All the standard songs that have been around since the beginning of time.
