Page 154 of Play of Love
Chapter 4
Evie
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As far as weird went this had to top the list of weird. And unexpected. Maybe even impossible.
I never thought I'd ever find myself walking around the beautiful streets of Rome with Gage Montgomery. Never in this lifetime, or any other.
But what was even more astonishing was that I was enjoying myself. Even I had to admit that. The feeling was just as shocking as finding out that he'd gone to my concerts, and not just one, several. In fact, those were all my major concerts with symphonies I'd composed and put together. It also didn't escape me that Gage lived in L.A. and would have flown over to New York to attend.
I didn't know what to think of that, but I could honestly say that I'd been deeply touched at the revelation. I never expected someone like him to travel so far just to listen to me play, and those concerts, in particular, had meant a lot to me.
A Tocatta of lifewas my debut. I remembered being exceptionally nervous. At Julliard, I'd done similar sorts of concerts, but that was within a school setting. Playing for the Philharmonic was on a different, and bigger scale. I was also no longer just playing with the other lead violinists I was playing my own pieces, and they were backing me up, along with the other members of the orchestra. While my family had been there, I wished that Lucy could have attended too. At the time Lucy was still working for the school and was busy with music exams. It was at that time of year also when Julliard was doing their auditions, so she was super busy. Lucy was sad she couldn't attend, but it was understandable, and she’d already attended hundreds of my concerts. Hundreds.
Gage though was ... well, I still didn't know what to think of it. I definitely knew that if I'd been made aware of his presence that night there was a chance that my nerves would have gotten the best of me. Or, maybe my surprise at his presence would have made me feel more inspired in some way.
I thought about his apology. He'd had me at the talk of my concerts, and I'd tried to resume my harsh exterior, but that apology was what got me the most. It was what helped me make the decision to come out here tonight.
I knew him, knew when he was lying, and knew when he was telling the truth, knew exactly how he was feeling just from looking at him. Mostly it was his eyes that gave him away, and they did then.
As I'd stared deep into those wild blue eyes of his, I saw how sincere he was, and I also saw something flicker deep within them that fascinated me.
It was scary to think that anything about him would fascinate me. Not that there weren't fascinating things about him, I just didn't want to have any sort of feelings like that for him. Like those mindless girls who'd followed him around at high school. I was certain the same kind of women followed him around now too.
"You look confused," he stated, breaking my thoughts.
I looked over at him and pulled my shawl around my shoulders as the wind picked up the ends of my hair.
He was smiling down at me.
"I'm thinking," I replied.
"About what?"
"Nothing."
"You're thinking about nothing?" he chuckled. "How about we head that way?"
He pointed down the road that led to the bridge which would take us straight to Castel Sant'Angelo and Ponte Sant'Angelo. The bridge was lit up with a bask of amber lights that drew attention to the statues of angels on either side.
My heart quickened, and my nerve endings tingled from the divine sight. I'd seen it on postcards and the brochures I read earlier. Seeing it all in real life laid out before me was a real treat.
"Yes." I smiled.
"Maybe we can try for the Basilica next and then head to the Trevi fountain and other places if you aren't too tired."
All exciting. These were the places I was desperate to see. So far we'd been walking down the road from the Vatican Museum. The walls surrounding rose to at least thirty feet from the ground, so there was no chance of seeing what was on the other side. I was hoping for a little peak of something, but got nothing.
"I'm not tired at all." I beamed grinning wide. Adrenaline flowed throughout my fueling me with a new found energy. "I've always dreamed of seeing those places."
"Cool. I know we're here for Lucy and I feel guilty for wanting to explore. But there's no harm in seeing what we can." He stated with a small smile.
I nodding agreeing, that was exactly how I felt too. This was a good idea; coming out for a walk. It was great that we could fit it in.
My excitement increased the closer they got to the castle. The bronze statue of Archangel Michael on top of the Castel completely enthralled me, and although the gates were closed to the public, there were lots to see and appreciate.
A lot of people had gathered around to take pictures. I did so too eager to capture the memory.
