This Tender Melody. Kianna Alexander

Lina crossed her long legs. “What are you drinking?”

      To answer her question, Eve flagged down a passing waiter. “Could I get a frozen cosmo, please?”

      â€œAnd I’ll have a Midori Sour,” Lina added.

      â€œComing right up, ladies.” The waiter disappeared behind the bar to place their order.

      With an exaggerated sigh, Eve dropped her black leather designer bag onto the nearby cocktail table and sank back into her chair. “Well, get ready to hear my latest horror story.”

      â€œSpill it.”

      â€œWell, you know I had to sit through one of those dull-as-hell board meetings this morning, but I do that every month. Today, it was even worse because I met the guy who’s taking my job.”

      Lina’s expression conveyed her empathy. “I know you were crushed when your parents told you.”

      She shook her head, feeling her emotions rise just thinking about it. “It amazes me that they didn’t even talk to me about it before they made their decision. I’ve been training my whole life for this, and now I’m losing out, just because they doubt my abilities.” She knew her parents hadn’t set out to hurt her, but knowing that they didn’t believe in her at such a critical time was a truly painful thing to accept.

      â€œWe both know you’re fully capable of running FTI. Don’t worry, they’ll come around.” Lina placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “What’s this new guy like, anyway? Isn’t he a friend of your dad’s?”

      â€œYes.” She rolled her eyes, thinking back. “Here I was expecting a baby boomer but the brother who walked in couldn’t be more than thirty-five. So, of course, I’m wondering what a guy this young could possibly have over me, in terms of business acumen and all that.”

      Lina’s brow hitched up. “Really? So what does he have?”

      She recalled the things Darius had said to her when he’d introduced himself. “He’s young, but experienced. He’s educated, has owned a software business previously and apparently invented the first smartphone operating system before retiring a few years ago.”

      â€œWow. Sounds impressive.”

      She sighed. “Well, he must hear that a lot. This man is so damn arrogant. I mean, he just walked up in there as if he was just crowned king.”

      Lina didn’t say anything, but rested her chin in her hands.

      â€œIt gets worse. This isn’t the first time I met him.” She grabbed her purse and unzipped the outside compartment, fishing out her phone. “Remember the guy in the elevator the other day, the one I told you about?”

      â€œOh, yeah. You said he was in the picture I sent you from our girl’s weekend at Emerald Isle.” Lina pulled her own phone out of her skirt pocket. “Wait, do you mean the new CEO is Elevator Volleyball Guy?”

      She nodded. “Yes, and I was so shocked I said that out loud and completely embarrassed myself.”

      Her friend looked thoughtful for a moment, as if her lawyer mind was working a case. Then, she asked, “If this is the same brother in the picture, with the washboard abs...” She sucked air through her teeth. “Girl, I don’t know how you managed not to lay hands on the brother.”

      Eve frowned, placed a hand to her forehead. “Well... I...I mean, we...”

      Lina slid forward until she was perched on the edge of her seat. “Whatever it is, you better tell me.”

      She hesitated for a moment, then caved to the scrutiny. “He hung around after the meeting. He boldly pointed out that he was attracted to me, and then...kissed me. I didn’t stop him, even though I could have.” Seeing the glint of mischief in her friend’s eyes, she shook her head. “No, Lina. Don’t start.”

      â€œAs an attorney, I can tell you that if there’s an antifraternization policy on the books at FTI, you’d better steer clear of him.” Lina leaned back in her chair. “As your girlfriend, though, I’d say you’d better take that stallion for a long ride, honey.”

      Eve clamped a hand over her mouth to cover the peals of laughter, but they escaped, anyway. “Lina! You’re outrageous.” She found herself wondering if the company had such a policy, then quickly pushed the thought away. “It doesn’t matter if we have a policy against it or not. I’m not the type who can date someone I work with. It would ruin my focus.”

      â€œWhatever. Like lusting after this dude is going to make you razor sharp.” She winked.

      â€œI’m done talking about this with you, Lina. Now it’s time you told me about your drama.” She scanned the room, wondering where the waiter was with their drinks. All this talk about Darius had her craving the alcoholic beverage.

      Lina scoffed. “You’re complaining that a good-looking man is after you. I’m not getting any play at all. Girl, I haven’t been on a date in two months.” She held up her forefinger and middle finger to emphasize her statement. “Two months! I’m about to go straight up crazy.”

      â€œAnd what’s your excuse? You don’t meet any successful, eligible men in the world of law?”

      She rolled her eyes. “No, that’s not it. Everywhere I turn, there’s some fine man in a suit. Judges, other lawyers, that fine-ass bailiff down at the courthouse...” Her words trailed off, and she appeared to be imagining said bailiff in her mind’s eye. “But unlike you, Ms. Executive, I have to be very careful not to violate ethics codes.”

      â€œI could understand that. But is there really a law keeping you from getting busy with the bailiff?”

      â€œShut up!” Lina shouted with mock irritation, tossing one of her silver stilettos at Eve in a playful manner.

      At that moment, the waiter approached with their drinks. After almost dropping the tray down on the cocktail table between their two chairs, he left. Eve and Lina continued giggling as he moved away, and then went back to gossiping.

      * * *

      Darius strolled into Tibbs Music and More, maneuvering the large protective case holding his bass around until it was safely inside the store. He let the door swing shut behind him and made his way over to the counter. As he walked, he bopped his head to the strains of Esperanza Spalding’s “Little Fly,” which played on the store’s PA system. He enjoyed the music of the young bassist, and also found her wild mane of curls to be very sexy.

      Behind the counter, Murphy Tibbs stood, rifling through a box of receipts. “Hey there, Darius. Time for Miss Molly’s tuning and maintenance, eh?”

      He nodded as he lifted the case up and set it carefully on the counter. “Sure is, and you know I don’t trust anybody with her but you, Murph.” And that was the truth. Miss Molly was a G. B. Rogeri upright bass, a copy of an instrument originally played by its famous Italian namesake. The bass was top quality, fashioned of hand-planed, hand-varnished maple and spruce. Though Miss Molly was a bit deeper than the average bass, she was an absolute dream to set up and play on stage, and she still fit into a standard case. The one he’d purchased for her, made of Kevlar, had set him back two grand on top of Miss Molly’s $4,500 purchase price. But when he was on stage, jamming with the band and getting lost in the magic of the music, he knew it was money well spent.

      â€œI’m sure you know I value that trust.” Murphy slid the case closer to himself, then carefully moved it to the floor behind the counter. “I’ll have her ready for you