Page 48 of Where Wild Hearts Dance
I lie on my back and rest the music box on my stomach. “I’m fine.”
“Yeah. That’s what you always say,” Trilby says, not unkindly. “Believe it or not, we speak the same language, Tess.”
I release a long breath.
“Is Antonio still giving you a hard time?”
I close my eyes. “Yeah, but that’s nothing new.”
Silence stretches before Trilby asks, “So, what is new?”
It’s a good question, and one I don’t have the answer for. All I know is, lately, my feelings seem to have intensified, and I don’t know why. I just seem to feel everything more. Like the sunrise. I used to always take it for granted, the fact I was up with the larks, stretching my limbs beneath the deep pink rays before anyone else awoke. These days I pause. I stare at the damn thing likeit’s a miracle. I notice the sound of birds, for crying out loud. I no longer view them as vermin, primed to shit on me from a great height, but as gifts from God—things that make the most captivating music of all.
And… I cry. This is new. Until recently, I hadn’t shed a tear since Mama died, but now, show me a pet food commercial and I’m crying a damned river.
“I don’t know, Trilby.” It’s the truth. “Maybe it’s hormones…” Though Ihateblaming anything on hormones. “Maybe it’s the stress of not knowing what’s going to happen after this recital, whether Papa will let me continue to study dance, or whether he’ll marry me off like he did with you…”
“Oh Tess…” Trilby wraps her arms around me and it’s nice. She and I were never close growing up. She moved out straight after Mama died, when I was only thirteen. She always had a wall built up around her. I guess we all did, in a way, but Trilby’s involved anactualwall because she physically moved into the apartment next door.
“You know…” she presses her lips to my hair. “I don’t think Papa has any plans to marry you off. You should talk to him… Tell him what youwantto do. You have a rare talent, Tess. You’re a beautiful dancer—we can all see it.”
I hug her back, tentatively.
“Look at Sera…” she continues. “Papa let her move to the Hamptons so she could train in hospitality. If anyone was going to be set up for marriage next, it would be her, but there’ve been no signs of that. You only have to see how involved Papa is in our wedding plans to know how proud he is that Sera is organizing everything at the other end.”
I can’t argue with that. Trilby and Cristiano are holding their wedding at the hotel Sera is interning at, and Papa, despite being extremely busy with the port, is always the first to visit the location to vet things, try things, inspect the place. There are literally zero signs that he’s unhappy about Sera’s career choice or future.
“Talk to him,” she says, pulling back. “It might help you feel better.”
I nod. “Yeah, okay. I will.”
“And why don’t you go out some? Let your hair down. You’re always training—you need to find time to have fun too.”
I cast my eyes downward. I’m not a social creature—never have been. I reserve all my extroversion for dance. The rest of the time, I like to be alone, recuperating. Expressing myself through dance takesa lotof energy.
She releases me and pats my arm. “Think about it, yeah? You’re too damn hot to hide yourself away on this terrace. As Allegra always says, you won’t be lean and luscious forever, so make the most of it while you can.”
I can’t help but smile at Allegra’s view of life. “Fine,” I reply, rolling my eyes. “I’ll go out. Just give me a few months to get used to the idea.”
Trilby pushes me playfully then gets to her feet. “I’m heading over to the gallery. You want to join me?”
I think about it. The gallery is Trilby’s dream andCristiano has given it to her. He’d initially said she could work in any gallery she wanted as long as it was in a part of the city he ruled, but then he surprised her on her birthday with a space of her own, right in the heart of Williamsburg. The only concession she’s had to make is to hire a team Cristiano has personally vetted, and keep security with her at all times. It’s a small price to pay.
But the gallery is indoors, and the sun is outdoors, so… “Thanks but I’ll stay here if that’s okay?”
“Of course it is. And last I looked, Benny wasn’t here so you’re safe.” She winks and leans over to plant a kiss on my cheek.
I feel a strange sinking sensation in my chest.
“Will you be staying for dinner?” she asks, ruffling her bleached blond hair.
Hunger. That must have been why I feel so weird all of a sudden. “I don’t know. Probably not. I need to show my face at home. But are there any snacks I can help myself to?”
“Yeah, loads. Just have a rummage around the kitchen.”
I call out my thanks as she’s almost halfway back to the house, then I wind up the ballerina again and watch her twirl.
Ten minutes later and I’m definitely feeling hungry so I rest the jewelry box by the lounger and go off in searchof snacks. I bite into a protein bar while I chop up some fruit into a small salad, then carry it out to the terrace. I’m about to sit at one of the small tables and pull out my Kindle when I hear male voices coming from a concealed corner. I stand still and listen, hoping I don’t overhear something not intended for my ears.
