Page 93 of When Hearts Awaken

I smile and type back a reply.

Taylor

What are you doing now? Is the bank doing okay? Has the press calmed down?

As far as I know, while my performance has been average, the international tour has been decently received. Belle kept sending articles about the press raving about my Odile, the strength in my thirty-two fouetté turns in the most famous part of the ballet, the Black Swan pas de deux.

I may not be the ideal white swan, but my black swan is shining, the dark feathers gleaming under the spotlight. But now, I’m wondering, why am I so focused on Odette when I do Odile well? The black swan’s routine is more technical, more difficult, more famous.

Am I focusing on the wrong thing?

Charles

The bank is doing fine. We’ve sent the first wave of proceeds to the organizations, which is the smallest thing we could do. And the press is giving me a break. The Patterson trial is wrapping up soon, and I was able to quash the photos from Prague.

My muscles tense at the mention of that night at the club. Charles texted me later he didn’t want me to worry about the photos taken by bystanders. That he’d take care of them.

Those photos could’ve put us in a bad light, even though I was the victim and he was my knight.

The press is ridiculous.

Taylor

Thanks.

Charles

I’m at the hospital visiting Firefly, then I’ll head to The Orchid to meet your brothers for drinks.

Frowning, I know from our text messages the last two weeks he’s taking it hard around the holidays because it’s his sister’s favorite time of the year.

Taylor

How is she? Still no change?

Charles

No. I’ve never told anyone this, but there are days when I wonder if it’s hopeless. If I’m selfish for holding her here for me, and not really for her. After all, I don’t think she’d want to be hooked up to monitors and tubes. But I can’t let her go.

My chest clenches in pain. I can’t imagine losing Grace or any of my girlfriends. I remember the agony it was to lose Mom, to get the call from the cops telling me there’d been an accident and she was killed on impact. It’s a pain I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy, not even the bitch Carla. But to have this torture dragged out for years…losing hope and yet feeling guilty about it?

Taylor

Grace believes in shooting stars. She told me they were the gods peeking down from the heavens and that’s when they’d grant wishes. The next time I see one, I’ll make a wish for her and for miracles.

Three dots appear, disappear, and reappear.

Charles

It’s almost Christmas. The city is beautiful—all decked out in lights. How is it possible to feel alone in a place with over eight million people?

I grip my phone tightly, wishing I were there with him, because I know exactly how he feels—lonely, but never alone.

Charles

I miss you.

My heart spasms as my fingers hover above the keypad. I want to respond and text him,I miss you too. But something holds me back…I feel naked, even though I’m bundled in a black turtleneck sweater and a thick puffer coat.

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