Appassionato by Erin M. Leaf Page A

Dave.” Dave was their head of security for this tour and all around miracle worker.
    “Maybe once Mizar starts playing we’ll be able to see where she is.” Duncan caught Jake’s skeptical look. “Hey, it’s possible! I know the place is huge, but maybe she’ll be close. And I’d bet that the closer she gets to us the better we’ll be able to sense where she is. So even if she isn’t close, I think we’ll be able to find her.”
    His friend was right, Jake realized. He always knew where Duncan was, it was part of his job, but since the bonding marks showed up, Duncan almost always knew exactly where Jake was, too. He’d be playing and singing and then look off stage and wink, making Jake smile in the midst of the chaos. “Okay,” Jake said, licking his lips. The realization frightened him for some reason. He wasn’t sure why. He grimaced. Maybe I’m not as used to this as I thought I was?
    Duncan stood up and gathered Jake into a hug. “Hey, hey, calm down, all right? You’re making me crazy here.” He tucked his friend’s face into his shoulder and Jake relaxed.
    “I think I’m nervous about meeting Emma,” he mumbled into Duncan’s jacket.
    “I know,” Duncan soothed. “I’m a little nervous, too.”
    Jake looked at him skeptically. “Yeah, right. Dude, you never get nervous.”
    Duncan smiled. “I know, but I can feel your anxiety. I can feel hers . It’s making me itchy.”
    Jake shook his head then shoved at Duncan. “Don’t you have an interview or something? Like, five minutes ago?”
    Duncan grinned and hugged Jake again. “I do, but you mean more to me than a stupid interview.” Jake couldn’t help smiling at this. He hugged Duncan back with all his strength.

Chapter 4

    “I’m coming!” Emma called, poking her earlobe and then wincing as she missed the hole again. Stupid earring , she thought as she walked to the front door. “Why didn’t you just come in?” she asked as she opened the door for Julie. “You’ve been here enough times that you don’t need permission.”
    Julie shrugged. “Habit, I think. Here, give me that.” Julie eyed Emma’s pink earlobe. “Why didn’t you just look in the mirror?” she asked as she maneuvered the silver wire through Emma’s piercing. She slipped the plastic backing onto the post then stepped back to flick at the dangling silver strands.
    “I was in a hurry.” Emma looked around for her shoes. “I fell asleep after work and just woke up about fifteen minutes ago.”
    “Seriously?” Julie raised her eyebrows. “How could you fall asleep? We’re going to see Duncan Green in concert!”
    Emma shook her head. “I was exhausted.” She found her favorite purple suede heels and slipped them on, walking to the full-length mirror on the back of her bathroom door to see if they looked okay with the rest of her outfit. The slim, dark jeans looked good with her fitted purple blouse. The fabric was shiny and stretchy, and she loved the way the short sleeves made her arms look thin and pretty. What she liked best, though, were the silver snaps that held it closed instead of buttons. She couldn’t do anything to disguise her curves, but in this outfit she looked almost skinny, so she was pleased. The purple shoes complimented the black, and she slipped on the thick silver bracelets she’d set out earlier. Her hair was loose, falling around her shoulders in soft waves, the silver from her earrings peeking out from between the strands. She’d actually broken open the mascara for once, highlighting the black liner she’d applied not five minutes ago. She wondered if she should cover up the marks on her arms then decided the bracelets hid them enough. Most people would just think she had a pair of very unique tattoos.
    “I understand being tired, but Emma, aren’t you excited? I mean, you’re probably going to meet them, right?” Julie asked.
    Emma fidgeted with her hair one last time, wishing she could avoid the question. “I