Chapter 74 : Introducing the Boyfriend

While Bennett was in town, he organized a piano concert for me to play. It was a debut for his orchestra in New York and my name as the headlining pianist. Ken waited with the stage hands, like he usually did, and they showed him the ropes that moved the curtains.

I stood side stage, wearing a floor length, red, satin ball gown with a round train that pooled on the floor behind me. I had fresh flowers pinned up in my hair. I gripped the edge of the red velvet curtain while the New York Orchestra conductor announced me to the audience.

I took a deep, shaking breath. Bennett came up behind me, resting his hand on the small of my back, his fingers grazing my skin where the low cut of my dress didn't cover me.

"You're going to do fine, Olivia. You've done this dozens of times before," Bennett said softly. He pressed a kiss to my cheek.

"I've never played in front of this many people that I know," I reminded him. My parents' friends, friends from school, people I'd known for yea