Page 73 of Hope & Harmony

“Blaire…” I hold her, kneeling, her head in my lap. Touch her soft cheek. “Please, Blaire.”

Her eyes open.

“You’re okay, Blaire. You’re okay.”

She flutters her eyes. “Gunnar?”

“Yeah, it’s me, baby. You had us all so scared. Sarah is here, too.”

“Blaire, are you all right?” Sarah asks.

She doesn’t answer.

“We need to get you to the ER,” I say.

“She’s going to need to make a statement,” one of the cops says.

“She can do that later,” Sarah says. “Gunnar is right. She needs to be seen by a doctor first.”

The cop nods. “Totally understandable. I just need your name, ma’am. Then you can come down to the station later and give your statement.”

“Her name is Blaire Cavileri,” I say as I help her to her feet. I turn to Sarah. “Do you want to come along?”

She shakes her head. “I think you should take her.” Then she turns to Blaire. “I’m so sorry that this happened, Blaire. I hadno idea what I was putting into motion when I suggested you partner up with Gunnar.”

Blaire shakes her head. “It’s not your fault.”

“Maybe not. Still, I can’t help but feel partially responsible. I know how important this professor was to you.”

“All you did was make him show his true colors, Sarah. Better I learn that now. I can always find a new voice teacher.”

Sarah nods.

I knew that so-called professor was no good. From the moment I met him, something was off. But it doesn’t matter. All that matters is getting Blaire to the hospital.

My God…when I heard her scream through Sarah’s phone…

Terror. Pure terror like I’ve never felt before.

I was terrified of losing something more precious than anything I’ve ever known.

“Come on, sweetheart,” I say. “Let’s get you checked out, and once you’re feeling up to it, I’ll go with you to the police station to make your statement.”

“Professor Morgan… I had no idea… That he…felt anything…”

“I’m sure you didn’t,” I tell her. “It can be hard to see past the façade with someone we’ve known for so long.”

She nods, grimacing. “Thank you. Thank you for coming for me.”

I brush my lips lightly over hers. “I’ll always come for you, Blaire. You’re the sunshine in my rain.”

EPILOGUE

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage, Gunnar and Blaire!”

Hand-in-hand, Gunnar and I walk onstage to thunderous applause.

We’re beginning our tour to promote our album,Catch My Heart.

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