Chapter 5

The date went really well. Dinner was excellent. The play was entertaining. And the conversation between the two was free flowing.

At the end of the night, Nick walked Star to her door.

"I had a very nice evening," Star told him.

He smiled. "Me too." Then he leaned in and kissed her.

She smiled as she pulled away. The kiss was delicious, but there was no spark. Star, however, didn't want to miss out on something good—Nick was, after all, handsome, intelligent and kind—because of a crazy fantasy. "We should do this again sometime."

His smile widened a little. He was hoping she'd say that. "Definitely," he responded.

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A couple of days later, Star was sitting, listening to a new song Warrick was playing. She loved his velvety voice. And it was easy to tell he put his heart into his playing.

Warrick had been looking forward to this session. Ever since Nick had been out with her, Star hadn't left Warrick's mind and he hadn't been able to stop pondering his feelings for her. He knew it would be better if he avoided her, especially since he was married, but there was just something about her that he couldn't—didn't want to—resist.

"Wow," she said as he finished. "That was amazing."

He smiled. This was why he couldn't bring himself to stop coming. Tina never had anytime to listen to him play, but Star always seemed excited and more than willing to listen. Plus, she was a good musician herself and a compliment from her really meant something. "Thanks. Anything you would change?"

Star stood and motioned for Warrick to move off the bench. He obliged and she sat down. He sat down in a chair behind her and pulled it close to the piano bench. She started to play the tune Warrick had just finished with some slight variations.

"But then, our styles are different," she told him as she finished, explaining her variation.

"It was good," Warrick responded.

She dismissed him with a wave of her hand as she turned to face him. "Eh, I liked your version bet…ter," she replied, finding herself nose to nose with him.

They sat for a moment, their faces inches apart. Star loved looking into his beautiful eyes and she could have sat there forever. He moved in closer, lessening the distance between their lips. Star leaned in and Warrick followed. Their lips met in an electricity-filled kiss. Warrick put his hand on her knee. Star put her hand on his and that's when she felt the cool metal of his wedding band.

"Woah," she said, as she quickly pulled away and stood up.

"Yeah," Warrick exhaled as he stood up as well and took a step away from Star. "Sorry."

Star moved one hand to her forehead. "It's…it's alright. My fault." There was an awkward moment of silence and then she added, "Maybe you should go."

Warrick took a step towards her. He didn't want to go. "Seriously, I'm sorry."

She moved around him and started to walk towards the door. "I…I know. But obviously we have…I have…we have feelings for each other. And you're married. And I've just been fooling myself thinking we could just be friends."

"Star," Warrick replied, trying to be rational. "We just got caught up."

"Noooo," she responded. "We crossed a line I swore I never would."

"Star," Warrick said again, trying to calm her.

"Stop," Star held up her hand, cutting Warrick off. "I can't go there. I was married and he cheated on me for the entire relationship."

"I…I didn't know," Warrick offered.

"I know," Star assured him. "But when I found out, I promised I'd never," her voice started to waiver, "Ever be the other woman because I know how much it hurts."

"Wow," Warrick was shocked, his stomach started to turn. He'd hurt two people with one kiss: Tina, if she found out, and Star. "I'm very sorry. And you're right, I should go."

Warrick walked to the door. He noticed the tears starting to form at the corners of her eyes and felt a pang in his heart. He had been foolish.

"Good-bye, Warrick," Star said, as she opened the door.

"It's been a pleasure," he responded and left.

Star closed the door behind him. She then trudged over to the couch and threw herself down on it. She started to sob, hoping Warrick had gotten far enough away that he couldn't hear her. She couldn't believe what a fool she'd been—or how amazing the kiss that could never be repeated was.

Warrick stopped right outside the door. He turned around and was about to knock on the door when he heard her crying. He didn't want it to end this way. Star was talented, amazing, and deserved better. But he knew it was best to just leave her alone. He put his hands in his pockets and left.