Page 24 of Heart Thief

That was a quick change of subject. The Martel men don’t like to talk about their strange brotherly relationship.

“I grew up in the small town of Twin Falls, Idaho.”

“Small town girl in the big city, huh?”

“Yeah. Not my first rodeo, though.”

“Oh? Where else have you lived?”

“I attended Juilliard.”

“Ah, New York City.”

“Yes. I went on scholarship. My parents are hard-working middle-class people. They couldn’t afford to send me there.”

“What do your parents do?”

“My dad owned the local hardware store in downtown Twin. My mom was a stay-at-home mom, the kind that made homemade cookies for me after school. They’re humble and sweet. They’ve sacrificed everything for their children. They’re retired now, always wearing work out clothes and going to the gym every day to maintain their health. They’re pretty wonderful.”

“Siblings?” Zane asks.

“One older brother. He’s still in Twin.”

“Sounds like you had an ideal childhood.”

I can’t see his eyes with his sunglasses on, but I don’t know him well enough to be able to read him anyway.

“Yeah, I did.”

“What made you come to San Fran?”

“My father grew up here, so it felt like a piece of home. My dream is to play with the San Francisco Symphony one day. I’m hoping to be invited for an audition. I saw Daniil Trifonov playRachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concertowith them once. I was mesmerized.”

“You have passion, Mila. It’s refreshing. What else do you want in life?”

I tip my head to one side. “What else? That’s not enough?”

“Sure it is. Just wondered if you wanted more.”

“Not many people ask me that, like playing with the symphony is such a lofty goal, I can’t possibly want more.”

“Doyou want more?”

“Yes, eventually I want a family, children. I have big dreams, but I also know what’s most important in life.”

He nods and turns to stare at the view, a brooding expression on his face. I have no idea what he’s thinking after all I revealed.

I get to my feet. “I need to take Artie out for a short walk and restroom break, then get back to my practice session. Thanks for the cereal.”

He stands as well. “Mind if I come with? I’d like to stretch my legs.”

I hesitate. I can see where this is going. We’re going to be friends and Ryker won’t like it at all. It’ll put me in an uncomfortable position and it will add to the strain on an already strained relationship.

Frankly, I can be friends with whomever I darn well please. And so far, I like Zane. Ishouldbe friends with Ryker’s brother. Rykershouldbe friends with his brother.

“Sure. I’d like that.”

I told Ryker that Zane and I would hardly see each other. Yet, so far we’ve enjoyed a movie and pizza together, breakfast together, and now we’re about to embark upon a walk outside with Artie. I think I underestimated the relationship that might develop when living under the same roof. I think it’s a good thing, though.

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