Maeve's Symphony Read Online Free PDF Page B

sibling.
    “You never let me enjoy the process of building suspense, sprite. And this announcement is so worth your battle with frustration.”
    “What announcement?” Maeve’s smooth, low voice shot an ache of longing through Josh’s system. “What’s going on?”
    “When we concluded the concerts in Detroit, I was given an extraordinary invitation that involves the four of you but I couldn’t share it until the tour ended and proper channels had been cleared within the label.”
    “Wait—I remember that.” Kassidy interjected and Josh’s ears pricked. “We were at the Fox Theatre. I was congratulating you and Aileen on choosing a wedding date and an usher handed you an envelope.”
    “And in that envelope was a message from a friend of ours.”
    “Who?”
    Four female voices chimed the word in unison. Unable to contain his curiosity, Josh peeked around the corner once more, just quick enough to note the way Liam stretched back and swiveled his chair, appearing comfortable and quite pleased with himself.
    Josh dodged out of sight after Liam steepled his fingers and continued. “Would you girls like to perform at Lincoln Center? With the New York Philharmonic?”
    Gasps filled the room. Josh grinned. Yeah, now the bulk of them would definitely be happy to see him—but what about Maeve…?
    “Lincoln Center? The Philharmonic?” Maeve could barely croak the words. “Are you even halfway serious?”
    “Maeve, I’m all the way serious.” The chair squeaked when Liam pushed to his feet. Josh heard footfalls as Liam approached the doorway. “Come on in, mystery guest. Let’s spring this on them in full and tell them what you’ve got planned.”
    When Josh entered the room, his hungry gaze tracked immediately to Maeve, and his universe froze. She didn’t speak. She didn’t blink. Instead, she gaped, mouth open, eyes wide with astonishment. Her immobility was tough to interpret, especially since Josh suffered from his own form of emotional vertigo. Hazy vision and an override of heat left him hollowed out and speechless. Never had he been more acutely aware of how desperately he missed her.
    “Josh! Oh my gosh! Josh Andrews!”
    Thank goodness for a crush of enthusiastic friends. Aileen, KC, and Siobhan launched forward and welcomed him with cheery exclamations, hugs, and conversations that stepped over one another in an attempt to play catch-up.
    Maeve’s reaction alone disheartened him. She continued to absorb the scene in stunned silence. At last she rose to her feet, approaching him slowly with a gracious smile in place. But there was no light in her eyes; there was none of the spontaneous joy he remembered from their days together so long ago.
    In agitated motions she twisted the silver ring on her right hand. Her purity ring.
    Something about seeing the piece caused a swift toss of his heart. Its presence on her finger filled him with hope and so many questions about the years that had passed between them.
    Greetings came to a gradual conclusion and he faced Maeve directly. Soft, creamy skin, a touch of freckles that dotted her nose, those haunting, jade-green eyes. Then, there was her height line, which left the top of her head to tuck perfect as could be right beneath his chin. She was a stunning woman. For a beat or two, Josh indulged in a stare meant to quench years of longing and absence.
    “Hey, Maeve.”
    “Hey.” The word reached him as a whisper, nothing more than a breath of air as she struggled to recover. “It’s good to see you again, Josh. Welcome back.”
    In the face of Maeve’s formality, a piece of crystal engraved with her name chipped and split. She didn’t seem to know what else to say or do by way of greeting, yet everyone in the room knew their history as high school sweethearts, the couple destined for happily-ever-after. Josh refused to let her stand alone. It wasn’t her fault life had thrown them down differing paths.
    He took hold of her hand—it was soft as