Page 27 of Pervade London
“That’s kind of funny.”
“Yeah, well, Mum didn’t share your sense of humor.”
“What was your childhood like?”
“I’d outgrown kindergarten before I even made it there.”
“So being with the other children was…”
His expression turned vulnerable, as though he was remembering what it felt like to be that little boy again.
“I suppose you’re a genius,” I said.
He offered no response, seemingly waiting for me to continue. “Well? Is this where you ask me to prove it?”
“No need.” Balancing my wine in my right hand, I pulled him into me with my left. “Give me a hug.”
“Gladly.”
I rested my face against his chest. “That’s for all those times you felt out of step with the world.”
“Oh, Em.”
“Thank you for letting me in,” I whispered.
“How the hell did I find you?”
“I found you, remember?”
“Stay tonight,” he said. “I like you being here.”
Three Months Ago
Fingers trailed along my bare shoulder, drawing me out of sleep. He played with my hair as I awakened to the dreamy comfort of our warm king-sized bed. It had been three blissful months of this…me waking up beside Xander.
“Hey.” I stifled a yawn.
He gave me a heart-stopping smile. “Hey.”
“It’s Saturday,” I realized, feeling relieved and happy.
It meant we could stay in bed longer. The day was ours.
“How long have you been awake?” I asked, stretching luxuriously.
“An hour.”
And he’d just been lying here with me, content.
“What’s it like?” he said softly. “Being able to play the violin the way you do?”
That made me smile. “I started so young, I don’t know any different.”
“No.” That answer didn’t satisfy him. “What’s it like knowing you’re the one that’s creating that incredible music?”
“Oh.” I tried to shake off my sleepiness. “It feels like the music is coming through my body. Like something sacred is becoming a part of me from the second my bow touches the strings, as though I’m merely a vessel.”
“A vessel,” he repeated wistfully.
