Page 70 of Introvert

Felix laughed quietly, and as the next fan stepped up, I left the chair, so he could retake his seat. Despite what I'd said, I knew all these people weren't here to see me. Meeting a fellow violinist, one who recognized me and shared a name with one of my favorite peoplein the world,andasked for my autograph? That was a memory I'd keep with me always.

Speaking of…

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked Felix, speaking quietly but loud enough for him to hear.

"Tell you what?" he asked while greeting fans and signing their merch.

"You know what.Icaught the end of the podcast."

Felix didn't look at me.

"Were you ever going to say anything?" I tried again.

"Nope," he said.

"Why not?"

"I was waiting for you to remember on your own.At first, I thought you were joking when you said you didn't recognize me. Then I thought, after we spent some time together,you'd know. But that didn't happen."

Felix shrugged.

"Figured that night meant more to me than it did to you."

I shook my head and lowered my voice. "It meant a lot to me too, Felix."

"You forgot," he said.

"No, I didn't."

He scoffed, but as he glanced my way, I held his gaze.

"I tried my best to forget you, but I couldn't.When I finally told my cousins about the stranger I met on the beach, how I couldn't stop dreaming about him even if I didn't know what he looked like, they thought I was crazy."

Felix's throat worked on a swallow."You don't have to say that just because you think it's what I want to hear."

"I'm not."

"Promise?"

"I promise," I said softly.

"So," he said, crossing his arms, "you dreamed of me?"

"Only every night for weeks."

"Good."

"Why good?"

"Because I dreamed of you too."

We stared at each other until the next person stopped in front of his space. Felix lookedaway reluctantly,but I was grateful for the reprieve. His piercing gaze was way too easy to get lost in.

Noticing London standing alone at the other end of the table, she waved, and I was about to go to her.

But then I stopped, turned around, and walked back to Felix who was currently finishing up taking a selfie with a brunette who gazed at him adoringly.Seeing me, her smile actually widened.

"Can I get a picture with both of you?" she asked. "My friends and I loveFerora."

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