I shrug my shoulders. He knows me too well. Sam approaches to explain why no one but Steven will respect the dress code at the opening, but Vincent sits on the bench, spreading his long legs to trip him.
I burst out laughing before I turn my back on both of them and start running, knowing I've left my best friend safe.
CHAPTER SIX
Nova Marshall
PRESENT (2023)
"If I played something incorrectly, I whipped myself mercilessly. Whenever I made a mistake, I made sure that I would never allow myself to repeat it. Every guitarist wants to play well. But in reality, if good intentions were all it took, then everyone would be great."
Yngwie Malmsteen
I’m sitting on my boyfriend’s lap, playing with his cheeks and forcing them into a smile. It’s four o’clock, and we’ve just finished arranging the entire dessert buffet on the tables. We sit at an empty table while the hired staff finishes the final touches before the guests arrive.
Steven draws lazy circles on my thigh, the part uncovered by my skirt. “You’re tickling me.” I whisper against his ear.
His fingers keep running along the tanned surface of my leg. “Really?” he whispers back.
I nod. “Do you want to know a secret?”
He agrees, and I lean fully against his chest. “I’m proud of you. Proud of your work,” I say before kissing his cheek.
Steven pulls me closer, showering kisses at the spot between my neck and shoulder—just above the birthmark I share with my brother.
“The opening hasn’t even started yet, babe.”
I shrug. “Okay, true. But who cares about false modesty? I already know it’ll be a success. Your cakes are delicious. Everyone knows you’re the best pastry chef in town. You know that, right?”
“I don’t...”
I stand up and offer him my hand. He takes it, and I rise on tiptoe, taking his face in my hands. “Don’t sayI’m still inexperienced, Nova.I hate that phrase. You’ve been cooking your whole life—what does age have to do with it? You even have a certification. And the mayor himself asked you to prepare the buffet for the new city hall opening. He chose you because you’re talented, because no one is as good as you.”
I kiss his lips, and he sighs, pulling me into a hug. “Thank you.”
I circle his neck with my arms, kissing him between sentences. “I don’t get why I still have to stand on my toes to reach you. I even put on heeled boots. I think it’s a conspiracy. What do you think?”
“I think, tall or short, you’re perfect like this. However...”
“However?”
He grins, lowering his face to mine. “I can give you a hand,” he murmurs, pulling me closer until I step onto his shoes.
“Better?” he asks, arms around my waist.
Something in me snaps—I step off immediately.Not this.
Steven looks confused. “What’s wrong?”
I lean against his chest, wrapping my arms around him.
“Nothing. I just... I don’t want to hurt your feet, that’s all.”
He holds me tighter, as if afraid I’ll slip away. “I don’t care.”
I hide my face in his shirt. “Everything will be all right.”
“Only because you’re here with me,” he whispers.
