"It's not a romance song. It's a drunken booty call."
"Alright. Um, how about 'Wildest Dreams' by Taylor Swift? You can't mess with the Queen. It was good enough for Bridgerton. Surely it could be good for a couple."
I play that song as well. "It's a secret romance, and they can never be together again. Not exactly a happy ending." I shake my head. "I'll give you one more try."
Ophelia thinks for a minute before jumping to her feet, pointing her index finger in the air like an exclamation point. "I've got it, and it would be perfect for us." She reaches over and grabs my phone. In a moment, the opening chords for "One" play. "It's U2. You can't object. They're Irish."
"Well, I'm English, so that's grounds for objections right there. But aside from that, the song is about resigning to the fact that the relationship is done. Bono has given interviews about being asked to play this song at weddings and refusing because it's about splitting up." I take my phone back. "Here, listen to this."
I put on Billy Joel's "Leave a Tender Moment Alone." "Now I know it's not at pretty sounding as your songs, but listen—really listen—to what he's saying. It's real and honest." Before I know what I'm doing, I grab Ophelia and pull her into my arms, swaying to the harmonica as the bass, piano, and drums pick up.
This song reminds me of my parents, this music playing on an old radio in the barn. I'm nostalgic and homesick, and suddenly, I'm very aware that this has become my own tender moment.
With my wife.
Chapter 31: Ophelia
Suddenly, I'm a Billy Joel fan.
It's always been something my parents listened to, but now I can see the appeal. Especially when a six-foot-something handsome British man is humming it softly under his breath while holding me in his arms.
I try to focus on the words to the song, but it's hard with him so near. With his hand splayed across my back and the other one clasped around mine, tucked between our two bodies.
This is not the first dance I'd dreamed of, yet somehow it seems so much more intimate.
Maybe it's because I'm not wearing a bra.
As the song fades out, we stand there for a moment, still holding onto one another.
Xavier finally looks down at me and a small smile spreads on his face. "Thanks for the dance, love. I remember my mum and dad dancing to this song. Perhaps that's why I always thought it was romantic."
I need air. Air that doesn't smell like him or taste like him. I drop my hands from his and take a step back. "Aw, that's sweet. You must miss them."
"I do. I miss everything about home." He looks out the window, though you can't see much in the dark night.
"Well, we'll do our best to make a home for you here. A home away from home. I'm sure we'll find a good place, and you'll be happier with your new team and things will work out," I reassure him. I try to commit his expression to memory, knowing full well I will want to describe it in depth. His wistfulness, his longing. I can't chance going and writing it down right now though. I did that once tonight and then had to babble on to cover up what I was doing.
Xavier looks at me for a long moment. "Yes, well I'm a player without a team, a man without a country, and a person without a home."
"But you are not without an overly optimistic wife, so at least that's something. It's like having your own personal cheerleader who knows absolutely nothing about what you do, but makes up for her ignorance with enthusiasm." So much for not babbling. I'm rambling on, making no sense whatsoever when he's very obviously on the verge of an existential crisis. "As soon as we get settled in a new place, you'll feel better. This will all be worth it."
"Right then, if you say so. Well, it's been a day, hasn't it? I'm going to turn in."
His turning-in is in the middle of my living room, so that's my cue to retire to my bedroom. I grab my purple notebook and laptop. There's no way I'll be able to sleep right away. Too many good things happened today.
Romantic things.
Book-worthy things.
There were moments that almost felt real.
They'll be real for my characters. This book is really shaping up and you know what? I don't think it sucks either. I'm considering putting up a chapter or two on Wattpad or Patreon to see if I can stir up some interest.
That's how inspired I am. I'm almost confident enough to try it again.
I'll look into it over the weekend. Tonight, my wedding night is all about letting the words flow.
I'd been working on outlines and plot points, trying to organize my thoughts, but tonight, with inspiration like I've never had before, I go right for the computer. The words spill forth, almost coming too fast to keep up with.
