“The world is upside down.” I sighed, stroking his beautiful curls.
“Do you want to know a secret?”
“Tell me.”
“I’ve had women come and go in my life, and I’ve never needed a woman before. But I think we both know I need you more than you need me.”
“I believe you’re right, Mister Scott,” I hummed, stroking Alistair’s chin softly before harsh reality kicked in. “I forgot to ask you something last night. When was your last sexual health check?”
Alistair sighed and closed his eyes. “After what happened with Erin, I’ve been careful. But I’ll make it a priority to get checked for you,” he promised, opening his brilliant green eyes.
“Thank you. I’m not immune to sexually transmitted infections.”
Alistair nodded, and his hand tightened on mine. I ran my finger along his back, tracing the eagle and the scar withmy fingers, ever so curious about his story. He flinched, then removed my hand.
“Vera,” he murmured, planting a kiss on my scarred earlobe. “I would die for you.”
SYMPHONY OF SILENCE
Vera
Monday evening, May 1
My phone buzzed with a message from Alistair.
V, call me. A.
“Hey, sexy. How are you?”
“Ah, I needed to hear your voice. You must be thrilled about the news.”
“Ah, yeah, can you believe I’m going to be an aunt?” I boasted, grinning from ear to ear. “Saph and Jules are having a baby in December, and I’m super excited. I can’t wait to meet my niece or nephew.”
The phone line seemed to have dropped out after a few seconds of silence.
“Alistair, are you still there?”
“I’m still here.”
“What’s going on?”
“I’m low. Not broken, but low.”
“Why?”
“Oliver and I were close as kids. These days we barely talk?—”
“Which is understandable,” I jumped in without thinking. “Oh, shit. I’m sorry, honey.”
“No, that’s fine. I deserve the punches. I tell you who I don’t deserve. I don’t deserve you.”
The silence stretched, heavy enough to crush me. For a breath, I was sure Alistair was about to end things between us. Then his voice cut through.
“My daughter’s name is Camilla. She was born just before Christmas. A little over six pounds of perfection. She’s an angel.”
“How are you feeling about Camilla?” I asked gently.
“It’s bittersweet,” Alistair admitted. “I’m happy for Oliver and Erin, but I can’t shake the guilt. Or the sadness over how it all happened.”
