"I'm sorry Eddie," Max said, sincerely apologetic. "It's actually something I don't need Loren to hear right now, if you don't mind keeping it from her."
"Sure thing...what is it?" Eddie asked. He knew if it was something Loren really should know about, he would tell her anyway. He hated breaking his dad's promises, but he truly cared for Loren.
"I have to get to MK soon, but I wanted to know your opinion on me having a girlfriend," he said. "I know your mom just happened and that might still not be sitting well with you... I know it still hurts me." Eddie could honestly tell that his dad was being serious. He knew he still missed her. He would never get over Katy, but maybe it was time for him to find someone to be happy with again.
"Well, pop, I think that might be a good idea. You should have some fun again. Mom isn't coming back, you know..." This hurt Eddie when he said it, but it was the truth. "Live the rest of your life happily; she'll understand."
Max smiled and looked at the floor, embarrassed. "Eddie..." he started, knowing his son might not react to the next part so well. "It's Nora."
"What?" Eddie asked, almost with the same tone he gave Chloe when she started up with her tricks. "Pop, that's Loren's mom!"
"Well, listen Eddie. I want to talk to her about this too, because I know you love Loren-" Max was cut off by Eddie as soon as he said the word 'love'.
"I don't love her," he said. "I just... I don't know how strongly I feel yet. I like her, a whole lot, but love?"
Max laughed, knowing his son was just running from the inevitable. "I want to ask her if we can keep quiet until after you two are married or whatever it is you're doing."
"Hey!" Eddie said more loudly, completely embarrassed. "Who said anything about marriage yet?!"
"Okay, okay!" Max gave up on telling him the reality. Instead, he began to explain the musical side of things. "I thought that way we could protect your careers as well."
Eddie, calming down a bit, nodded in agreement. "Listen, if you think she'll make you happy, I won't stand in your way. Just don't hurt her, because then you'll hurt Loren, and that would hurt me."
Max thought about the chain in his head for a minute before realizing its' truth. "I know," he said. "I won't let you down."
With that, Eddie thanked him and opened the door for him to leave. "I'll see you later," he said, almost awkwardly, and Eddie didn't know why. He had just seemed so happy.
Eddie went to the doorway to see him down the elevator, but only saw Loren, trying to hide her smile, but clearly failing.
"What' this about marriage, Mr. Duran?" she asked. She was joking, and as soon as Eddie realized that, he pulled her to him and kissed her sweetly. "I heard that whole thing," she laughed. "It was a nice daydream."
"How about that Chinese food?" he asked her, wanting to change the topic, but still happy.
The two enjoyed their dinner, but barely got to a movie. By the time Eddie finished cleaning up the living room, Loren was in the middle of writing, using Eddie's piano. He loved watching her sing. Something about her just made him want her. Her voice was so perfect and beautiful, and her eyes glowed when she was doing anything musical. He remembered that about her from the first time he saw her; he had grabbed her hand at his concert and her world was completely lit up, and he could see that all in her brown eyes.
He sat down quietly next to her as she finished writing down some new lyrics in a book; his book. She was singing them so quietly because she was still in deep thought about them, so Eddie wanted to know what they were. Before he could grab the book, Loren threw herself at it and shook her head with a laugh.
"What do you think you're doing?" she asked him playfully. "You wouldn't let me hear yours before it was all written down. That was just one line; it's not done yet, so you'll have to wait!" Loren's even tone was playfully scolding Eddie, and he loved how cute she was when she did it.
"I think you should let me read it now," he laughed, smiling and showing his gorgeous teeth.
"And what makes you think that?" Loren retorted, believing she had won.
Loren's eyes were squinted a little; she was giving off her "fierce" look, trying to scare Eddie, but it didn't do any good. Instead, Eddie pulled her body up against his and brought his lips inches from hers. He let his warm breath escape and touch her lips, and he knew he had won. Only now, it wasn't about the lyrics anymore.
"Eddie," Loren whispered, setting the book down on the piano where it came from.
"Yeah?" he asked, breathing his simple word to her. He didn't want to take his eyes off of her for a minute; he couldn't.
"Kiss me."
