And I let him. My body moves without thought, sliding onto his lap the way I used to when we were kids. Only this isn’t the same. It will never be the same. His arms come around me instinctively, wrapping firm around my waist, holding me like I’m the only thing keeping him from falling apart.
His breath ghosts over the side of my neck, shaky and uneven, and I realize he’s holding back more than music. His sadness is everywhere—in the way he clings to me, in the tremor of his touch, in the way his heartbeat stumbles against my back. The rhythm of the song bleeds into the rhythm of my pulse, but underneath it all is the sound of him breaking, quietly, desperately, like a secret only I’m allowed to hear.
“I’m sorry for what I said the other day...” I whisper.
He brushes his thumb over my fingers. “Shh. It’s all right. It’s in the past.”
Then he shifts, playing a new melody. I recognizeTotal Eclipse of the Heart, and I can’t hold myself back from telling him. “I want to break up with him.”
His hands freeze on the keys. “Why?”
I twist in his lap to face him. His glasses catch the light as he slides them back on, eyes sharp, searching.
“Because it’s the right thing to do.”
“For who?”
“For me. For him.”For you.
“Really?”
“Yes.” My voice trembles. “Things haven’t worked for months.”
The truth burns on my tongue:Because I want you. Because I’ve always wanted you.
Memories flood me the second I stepped into this house. The way he used to sneak into my room. The nights of whisperedsecrets, laughter, and music. Every ghost of our childhood pressed against me now, short-circuiting my heart.
“Nova, if something happened I could try to talk to hi—”
I stop him gently, my hand covering his mouth. “No. I’ve already made my decision.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
I don’t want to break Steven’s heart. But Maggie’s right. I can’t keep pretending when every touch, every kiss, every night is haunted by Vincent. It’s not fair to him, or to me.
“If it’s because of what I said on your birthday—”
“You had nothing to do with this,” I interrupt, my voice’s shaking. “I promise. You didn’t say anything that matters enough for me to break up with my boyfriend.”
It’s not a total lie. He was the trigger, yes. But the cracks were there long before.
I slip off his lap, grab my bag, and pull out the gift and the snacks. I hand him the small wrapped box. “It’s for you.”
He frowns. “Why are you giving me a present? It’s your birthday.”
“Technically it was two weeks ago. Besides...” I chuckle nervously. “I missed four of yours. I have to make up for it.”
“You don’t owe me anything,” he murmurs. But when he unwraps the package and sees the little car, his whole face lights up, his eyes shining like he’s seventeen again.
“You like it?” I ask.
Suddenly, my back hits his chest as he pulls me onto his lap again, arms wrapping around me with a quiet desperation. His chin rests on my shoulder, breath warm against my skin. “I’ve never received a more beautiful gift.”
“Liar,” I whisper, but my voice cracks around a laugh and his chuckle vibrates through his chest, through me. I close my eyes, sinking into him, letting the moment swallow us whole.
“It feels so right to have you here... Like we used to be.”I know.
