Page 63 of Two Hit Wonder

"Worth it," Cam said, and launched into an off-key rendition of "Whenever, Wherever" complete with hip movements that threatened the stability of her drum stool.

"Shakira? Really?"

"It's a classic."

"I hate all of you," Maeve announced.

"No, you don't." Iona was smiling, and it was doing things to Maeve's chest that she refused to examine. "You love us."

"I tolerate you. Barely."

"Same thing, from you."

Ellie shouldered her bass case. "I'm heading out. Early morning tomorrow. Jake's taking the kids to his mother's, and I want to be awake enough to say goodbye."

"Tell him I said hi," Iona said.

Cam was already grabbing her bag. "Yeah, I've got a thing too. A thing with a person. Don't ask about the thing."

"No one was going to ask," Maeve said.

"Good. Because I wasn't going to tell you." Cam blew them both a kiss and headed for the door. "Have fun, ladies. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"That leaves a remarkably wide field," Ellie observed, and then they were both gone.

The door clicked shut. The room went quiet.

Maeve became aware of how alone they were. Iona was still sitting on the amp, guitar on her lap, watching her with an expression that made her mouth go dry.

"So," Iona said.

"So."

Iona was walking toward Maeve. Slowly. Deliberately. Maeve should make a joke, deflect, do the thing she always did.

She didn't.

Iona stopped inches away. Close enough that Maeve could smell her perfume. Close enough to see the pulse jumping in Iona's throat.

"This is a terrible idea," Maeve said.

"Probably."

"We should be sensible."

"Definitely."

Neither of them moved away.

"I want…" Maeve said, mouth suddenly dry.

Iona grinned. "Should I guess? Because I think I can."

Maeve wasn't sure who closed the distance. Maybe it was both of them at once. All she knew was that Iona's mouth was on hers, and her hands were in Iona's hair, and her body was pressed up against Iona’s. And they were kissing like they’d never come up for breath, Iona up against her, walking her backward until her shoulders hit the wall, and Maeve let her, wanted her to.

"Is this okay?" Iona murmured against her lips.

"Stop talking."