Free Flesh & Bone - a contemporary romance: The Minstrel Series #2 by Lee Strauss, Elle Strauss

were.”
    A red flare of mortification ignited in Eva’s belly, and she wanted to crawl under her bed. Not that she wasn’t already invisible. The scene had changed, and once Gabriele had stepped on stage, the spotlight had swung to her, leaving Eva blotted out by the shadows. If this scene were playing in a theater, Eva’s character would be slinking out of sight on stage right.
    Except there was no way for her to escape now. Gabriele blocked the doorway.
    Gabriele propped a hand on her hip, and Eva swore she batted her eyelashes. “You can imagine my surprise,” she continued, her eyes locked on Sebastian’s face. “Finding you here… in my bedroom.”
    Sebastian jerked and looked at Eva, like he finally remembered she was there. “Eva was kind enough to show me her beautiful guitar.”
    “It is beautiful,” Gabriele admitted. “Sadly, she won’t let me play it.”
    “You have your own beautiful guitar,” Eva said. “I didn’t know you wanted to play mine.”
    Gabriele laughed. “Just teasing.”
    “Where’s your fiancé ?” Eva asked pointedly. Seriously. Gabriele was preparing to be married soon. Did she have to flaunt her expert flirtation skills?
    Sebastian’s gaze moved between the two sisters. “I should go.”
    “Probably a good idea,” Gabriele said lightly. “Papa doesn’t approve of boys in our bedroom.”
    Eva rolled her eyes. Oh my heart. Just kill me now.
    Sebastian surprised her by crouching in front of her so they were eye to eye. “Thanks for showing me your guitar and for playing your songs. You’re a great songwriter, and I love your voice. Keep it up.” He stood and grinned at Gabriele who hadn’t moved from her spot by the door. “I can see myself out.”
    Eva may have taken Sebastian’s admonishment to heart if she hadn’t watched him brush past Gabriele in the doorway.
    “Way to make room for him to get by,” she said once he was gone.
    “Hey, it’s not every day you find a hot celebrity in your bedroom.” She snuggled close beside Eva. “Now spill. How did he end up here? Tell me everything. Don’t leave anything out.”
    Eva sighed. No one was immune to Gabriele’s charm, not even she. “He saw me play at the Blue Note.”
    “Wait,” Gabriele pulled back. “The night you finally performed? And you never mentioned this?”
    “It seemed so random. And I know I already come off as a lovesick fan. I didn’t want to add to that.” Eva shrugged a shoulder. “I really didn’t think he’d follow through with his promise to look me up.”
    Gabriele gaped. “He promised you that?”
    “Yeah. Kind of. He really liked my song. I just thought maybe he had too much to drink. Then he got recognized and raced away.”
    “Wow. Sebastian Weiss looked up my sister because he thinks she’s talented.” She squeezed Eva’s shoulders and planted a kiss on her cheek. “Cool story. One for the Baumann family history books.”
    Eva felt her lips pull up. It was impossible to stay mad at her sister.
    “Now that the surreal has passed,” Gabriele said, pulling out her cell phone, “it’s time to work on wedding plans.” She gave Eva new instructions and Eva shuffled over to her desk where she could order some of the decorations online. She only peeked at Hollow Fellows website once or twice. Or three times. Oh God. How was she supposed to concentrate on real life now? She closed her eyes and happily relived every moment that she shared with Sebastian Weiss that day.
    “Eva!”
    She jumped at her sister’s voice. “I’m doing it, Gabi, jeez.” Eva had a sinking feeling that her life had peaked that afternoon, and it was all down hill from here.
    Mama called for them to come for Abendbrot , a light meal of buns, meats and cheeses they shared in the evenings. The hot meal was eaten midday, and on soup kitchen days, the soup was considered their hot meal. Eva set the table with four plates and the necessary cutlery while Gabriele grabbed the glasses, the sparkling