Focus.

“No, it’s not that. It’s me.” Boy, was it ever. She’d never done this before, obviously, but Keiran had tried to prep her beforehand. He hadn’t just tossed her in the booth, but she wasn’t getting into that relaxed headspace. “I’m not a professional singer. I mean, sure, I’ve been in a choir, but it’s absolutely not the same.”

Keiran cocked his head. “The secrets keep getting revealed.”

“Choir wasn’t a secret. Just a part of my life I left behind. A fun thing to do while in school.” She’d loved it while she’d done it but had zero desire to take it further. She’d had no dreams of trying out for the national choir, no matter how much she’d been prodded. The most singing she did these days was in the shower, around the apartment, in Remi’s car, or at karaoke when she was tipsy enough to not care.

“What can I do to make this less painful for you?”

“Not look at me?” She was only half-joking.

“Here’s what. Let’s try again, okay? You know the verse, no doubt about that. It’s your nerves tripping you up, but it’s your first time. You show me yours, I show you mine, right? I’m asking you to bare your soul basically, so I’m getting on the piano to try something, okay?”

Piano? She’d, of course, noticed the sleek black instrument near the booth but hadn’t for one second thought Keiran knew how to play it. She’d figured the electric keyboard setup was more his style, and maybe the piano was for show, which was a ridiculous assumption to make. Why wouldn’t he actually be able to play any of the instruments in here?

“You can play that?”

He sauntered over to the piano and sat, brow raised. “It’s not in here for style. I’m a terrible singer, so I put my musical talents elsewhere, and don’t even ask me to prove how bad I am. I don’t sing in public. Trust me, I’m saving your ears.” He ran his fingers over the dark wood, his touch a slow caress. “My father would scoff at this Kawai. He’s all about the Yamaha, but this upright will give just the sound I need. Always works for me. The lower tensile strength of the strings gives a more dynamic range. And don’t get him started on the electric piano over there.” He pointed at the keyboard setup. “He gives me grief for that too, but it works for certain tracks. Can’t please the man. Not that I still try to.”

“Um...”

He grinned. “Of course, none of that piano talk means anything to you, but just trust me.”

Trust him. When it came to this, maybe she could. She was in his domain now and had no choice but to follow his lead. As his fingers danced lightly over the keys, Cherisse focused on his face, wanting to see the emotions there as he played what she soon recognized as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.