Unexpected Harmony

7. Caught in a Rainstorm

Chapter 7

Caught in a Rainstorm

P acing inside, Aspen debated how to prolong Zoey's work on her yard. There was still a bit to do, but every day got them closer to a finish line she wasn't ready to cross.

For the past two hours, Zoey had been working on the walkway pattern. She had separate rock piles for the white, gray, light blue, and dark blue stones that created the swirling wave in the pathway. She was nearing the house, meaning another project was almost complete.

The patience it must take to individually place each rock was astounding. Feeling inspired, Aspen sat on the piano bench, playing a bunch of chords, hoping one would shake something loose.

With her album having been out for a few months now, she needed to prepare a new one. The problem was that she was in limbo between healing and pain. Those sounds were conflicting, so when she tried to work on a song, it never fit her feelings the next day.

After the major chords were finished, she tried the more somber minor cords. Today, those resonated more. The feeling of foreboding and lack of alignment fit perfectly with her mental state.

Her fingers flew across the keys until they crashed at the chorus. Nothing she tried was right, but there was something there. Aspen could feel the tingle of inspiration right under her skin—something usable if she got the lyrics right. She took out her phone and placed it on the piano then hit record.

As she played through for the third time, she got stuck, again, at the chorus but had enough recorded to come back with fresh ears. All of this was part of her process. For her, it was easier to come up with the music first, then the lyrics. Not everyone worked that way, but she needed the tone to develop the words.

Aspen's eyes sought the distracting view out the window, but she couldn't see Zoey from where she was sitting. It wasn’t the first time she'd looked for the intriguing landscaper. There was a depth to Zoey that had Aspen aching to know more. It had been forever since someone had captured her attention so singularly.

So far, their dynamic had been confusing. Zoey would occasionally reciprocate Aspen’s fumbled attempts at flirting, and other times she would retreat into a shell of responsibility that not even the jaws of life would be able to open up.

Aspen couldn't pinpoint why she wanted to know more. If anyone else had run as hot and cold, she would have shrugged and moved on. Life was too precious to make someone like you. But that was just it—she could tell Zoey did like her. There was a way her eyes sparkled when they talked, and more than once their eyes locked from across the yard. She couldn't hide the blush that would sometimes creep up her cheeks, or the shy way their bodies subconsciously moved towards each other. All of it made her want to understand the process behind Zoey’s retreating.

Whatever they had going on, Aspen hadn't thought of the proposal from hell or her ex in a few days. All of that led to more questions. Why wasn't she heading back home? Right now, she was using the revamp of her yard as an excuse to stay, but maybe there was more to it. Perhaps she needed the change of scenery and pace.

For the longest time, life had been moving faster than she could run. Finally getting off the hamster wheel had given her time to take stock of her life; maybe it was time for changes. What those changes were, she still wasn't sure, but being in the industry for twelve years without re-examining aspects of her life hadn’t been the smartest move.

Outside, the sun disappeared, making it look like someone had flipped on a switch. Hurrying to the window, she saw Zoey glance toward the sky worriedly before returning to the path. She only got a few more rocks down before the sky opened up, drenching everything in a matter of moments.

Zoey scrambled up from the muddy yard, hurrying to put the tools away. Without thinking, Aspen flew to the yard, picking up a shovel on the way to Zoey.

“I've got this. Go back inside.” Zoey's words were almost drowned out by the wind.

When she shook her head, Aspen's hair stuck to the side of her cheek. The beautiful ocean view looked menacing as waves whipped across the sand. “Let me help.” She walked towards the truck where she'd seen Zoey unload and pack her tools every morning and afternoon.

“You don't have shoes on, and that's your shovel.” Zoey's eyes were on her feet. Aspen's toes were sliding in the wet mud.

“This is mine?” She looked at the shovel in wonder. “I didn’t know I had any tools. Cool.” She felt oddly protective of her little shovel, holding it closer to her body. She’d pointed out the shed in the beginning but hadn’t realized there was anything in it.

“It goes back in the shed but let me take it. I don't know what’s on the floor. It's not safe for your unprotected feet.”

“Will you come to the house after you’re done?” Aspen didn’t want her stuck out in the rain.

“Okay… If that gets you to go back inside before you catch a cold. Please?”

It was the soft plea at the end that got Aspen moving towards the house after she finally relinquished her hold on the shovel. Carrying the tool into the house would have looked odd, even though that was exactly what she wanted to do.

Zoey wasn’t out there much longer, but she was soaked and shivering by the time she knocked on the door.

“Come on in. I've got some water started for tea and some clothes laid out in the bathroom if you want to throw yours in the dryer. The bathroom is down the hall, and laundry is right across from it. Let me know if you need help with the knobs.” Aspen stuffed her hands in her pockets, not giving Zoey a chance to argue.

“Thank you.” Zoey’s eyes softened in gratitude as she walked down the hall to where Aspen had indicated.

Glad she hadn't put up a fight because that was one Zoey would have lost, Aspen returned to the water that was now boiling. Pulling down two mugs, she doctored them up, taking a chance with the flavors Zoey might like.

She focused on the tea, trying not to picture Zoey changing in her bathroom. The steam from the mug had to be why her face flushed.

“Thank you. I feel less like a drowned rat.” Zoey's ninja-walking skills nearly caused Aspen to spill hot water over herself.

“We need a bell on you. Are you part cat?” Aspen joked, trying to lower her heart rate as she finished pouring the scalding water before any damage could be done. When she looked up, Aspen took in Zoey's new outfit. She looked damn good in Aspen's clothes. Hoping her face didn't give away her thoughts, she focused back on the finished beverage, needing a moment to collect herself.

“I got a little water on your floor. Do you have a rag or something so I can clean it up? All your towels in the bathroom were nearly too fancy to even look at.”

Aspen grinned at her teasing tone. “I have riffraff towels somewhere. Drink your tea, and I'll be right back.” She grabbed a dish towel, relieved to have a reason to retreat from the room to recalibrate.

Zoey protested, lunging for the towel when Aspen got near. After years of playing dodge the fan when people got too close, Aspen jumped back, using her superior height to keep the fabric away. Wrapping one arm around Zoey's side, she laughed when Zoey tried to climb her.

Now it was a matter of ensuring Zoey didn't fall and hurt herself while keeping the towel away. They settled, breathing heavily in each other's spaces. The charged moment expanded as Aspen looked into Zoey's eyes. A gambit of emotions played in them; caught in the liquid golden light, Aspen was unable to look away.

Zoey stiffened in her arms before she stepped back, tucking damp strands behind her ear. “I—um, thanks for the tea.”

“I’ll go clean up the floor. Be right back.” Aspen’s voice was gravely as she tried to rein in her thoughts. She was a breath away from kissing Zoey and knew that would be most unwelcome right now. Witnessing the retreat into Zoey’s impenetrable shell was sobering. It seemed they could both use a moment to collect themselves as they stumbled along their changing dynamics.

She took a little longer with the floor than necessary, but it had been challenging to find her footing. Once she was sure her libido was under control, Aspen braved the kitchen.

She had sung in sold-out concerts to thousands of people, but walking into her kitchen that day was the longest, most intimidating walk of her life.

Zoey turned from the fascinating, swirling tea when she heard Aspen’s tentative footsteps approach.

She'd relished the break, needing several moments to compose herself. Aspen wasn't someone she should get involved with. For one, she was a client, and if that wasn't a big red flag, she didn't want to consider the others. Plus, they didn't even live in the same state.

The long-distance thing didn't work. Zoey had tried and failed spectacularly in her first year at college—not that Aspen was even looking for a relationship. Zoey wanted to throw up her hands. She had no idea what she was doing.

“Do you want to hear some music I’ve been working on?” Aspen’s tentative voice pulled Zoey from her musings.

“I’d love to.” She looped her fingers through the mug’s handle, taking careful steps not to spill the water as she walked behind Aspen.

It was the perfect segue after nearly kissing. A ground they were both comfortable on, even if Aspen didn’t know Zoey knew anything about music.

On her way into the room, Zoey placed her cup on a coaster near the couch. With her luck, she would accidentally spill the scalding water on the beautiful instrument. Settling near the piano, she took a moment to check in with herself. Part of her mental health journey was trying to be aware of stressors. Surprisingly, she found only a calm excitement at the thought of hearing Aspen play a song.

“Okay, I was playing around with this one today. Let me know what you think.”

Aspen's long, slender fingers caressed the keys as she found the notes she wanted.

The darker tones lifted from the keys as Aspen swayed while playing. The song was as mesmerizing as it was dark. With some heartfelt lyrics, she could see it becoming a song that millions of people would play on repeat as they tried to heal from heartbreak.

After crescendoing into what Zoey assumed would be the chorus, everything crashed down. Still stuck in the song, Zoey could see the following notes playing across the top of the piano.

“That’s all I have. I can’t figure out the next part and was hoping that playing in front of you would loosen something.”

Zoey's heart raced as she reached out to the keys. It had been months since she played. Music had just started coming back to her. Would she be able to play something without getting lost in a song? Could she pull herself out? The notes were still clearly running along in her head. Maybe she could write it down and give it to Aspen later?

The air thinned as she squeaked out, “I have an idea. Would you mind if I try to see if you like it?”

The words were out before she could censor herself. Aspen was already off the bench, sweeping her hands in front of her so Zoey could sit.

“I didn’t know you played. Please, I’d love to hear it.”

Unsure if her legs could support her for much longer, Zoey unceremoniously plopped onto the piano bench. In her state of panic, the one thing she noticed was the comfortable, cushy seat. She could sit here for hours without feeling a thing. The bench at school was a wooden slab that numbed her butt after a few hours. Nothing like the expensive comfort this seat provided. After wiggling a little to get comfortable, Zoey relaxed into a familiar position.

No, those were not good thoughts for her first time sitting at a piano: Familiar. Comfortable. She shouldn't be thinking of comfort for extended lengths of time.

Fighting her demons allowed her little time to dwell on the fact that she was playing in front of Aspen Lake, arguably one of the most famous musicians who had years of experience playing in front of sold-out crowds. This situation was intense. Wishing she could take everything back, Zoey tensed when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

“Relax. I want to hear what you have to play. But if it’s going to be chopsticks, you might not be welcomed back into my house.” Aspen’s teasing tone helped center Zoey.

“Don't worry. Both my parents and grandfather banned that song after the third day I learned it.” She paused. “You obviously don't have to use it, but I see the song moving like this.” Her hands shook as she placed them on the keys. “I don't have my brother's ability to play a song correctly after hearing it. Do you want to play up to the part you're struggling with?”

“Do you mind me in your space?” Aspen asked, leaning over her shoulder.

Her longer arms reached around her as she placed them on the piano. Zoey scrunched down, not expecting the contact. It wasn't precisely unwelcome, either.

Aspen’s hair tickled her cheek as she played a few notes leading up to the trouble area, where Zoey picked things up seamlessly. The notes played in her mind’s eye as she worked through the chorus.

She didn’t notice Aspen’s arms retreat as she worked through the music, stopping when the song would pick back up.

Holding the position, she waited until the last notes faded from the room before placing her hands in her lap and spinning around on the bench.

Aspen's face was full of wonder, still frozen in the moment. Allowing her the time to process, Zoey sat, studying her face. She wasn't a stranger to Aspen's looks. Hell, she would have had to have been living in a cave for the better part of two decades not to recognize her. Still, here in her living room, playing around with a song, exposed another layer of Aspen. Someone behind the superstar. A look of delight that chiseled years off the wary woman. If anything, it lifted the veil between their worlds where reality stretched to endless possibilities. Zoey wasn't sure she was ready to deal with things emotionally.

“That was perfect. Do you mind if I record it?” Aspen’s quiet question brought Zoey back to the present.

“No, go right ahead.” Zoey turned towards the piano, towards the familiar ground.

She played a few more times at Aspen's requests and directions. “Slower, faster. Can you try this chord progression first? No, go back.”

Zoey completed each attempt without stumbling but was starting to feel the pull. The line that would pull her under, where a five-hour session would occur without acknowledgment. It was time to step back.

Luckily, Aspen seemed to be in tune with her growing unease and called it quits after Zoey played it the first way again. She stood, needing to get away from the piano.

Aspen spoke quietly as she paced the length of the room. “That was amazing. I had no idea you played. Your family is extremely talented.”

“I'm glad you like it, but, um. I need to use the restroom.” Zoey felt her throat tighten as she tried to keep it together. While playing, she was able to ignore the building anxiety, but now that the session was over, she felt the tightness expand.

Leaving Aspen bewildered in the living room, Zoey hurried to the bathroom. She leaned on the bathroom counter, trying to catch her breath. Tears threatened to spill. Nothing was more embarrassing than freaking out in a stranger's house. A client’s, no less. She should have never accepted the offer to come in.

Sneaking back into the hall, Zoey grabbed her damp but at least wearable clothes and put them back on in the bathroom. With her own clothes on, she felt more settled. She’d give herself a strong talking to back at her house, but for now, she needed to leave this alternate reality of chumming up with a celebrity.

When she left the bathroom, she could hear voices in the living room.

“What is the help doing here, Aspen? Do I need to call the police?”

Alarmed, Zoey halted, unsure of what she was walking into.

“Of course not. I invited her in. It was pouring outside, and she was soaked. I didn't want her to catch a cold. Plus, don't call her the help. She's way more than that.” Aspen's voice was heated as she talked to the woman standing in her living room.

The woman turned, seeing her standing there, and sneered before turning back to Aspen.

Time to go.

“Thank you for the tea,” Zoey said, stepping fully into the room. She was glad to have received this dose of reality.

“You don’t have to go. We were just getting somewhere.”

She had to have meant with the song, but there was a flash of something in Aspen’s eyes—a loneliness that had been chased away for a moment, a yearning that Zoey was unprepared for and not mentally strong enough to receive.

“I’ll—um, I’ll see you.” Zoey retreated from the woman’s glacial stare and a dying protest on Aspen’s lips.