The whole thing looks utterly magical, a beautiful contrast between the rawness of nature and the comforting signs of human life.
Remi watches me, lighting up at my reaction. “What do you think? Do you like the view?”
“I love it!” I reply, almost breathless. “The scenery around here is stunning... including the one right next to me.”
Remi jumps a little and blushes again, adorably. “Don’t tease me, you menace!”
“But I mean it…” I say in mock innocence. He can’t quite hide the pleased little smile tugging at his lips, and I go on, more serious now. “I’ve never been to this part of the country, you know? I can’t wait to explore.”
“Seriously?” Remi looks genuinely surprised. “You’ve never been to Cornwall? I thought you’d travelled loads, even when you were a child.”
I shake my head, trying to push away the sadness creeping up on me. “I did travel a lot, yeah, but always for competitions or performances. Now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve ever been on a trip with my parents that wasn’t about playing somewhere. Not that I’m complaining, I’ve seen some amazing places…”
“And yet you have every right to complain,” he cuts in, a sharp glint in his eye. “Every child deserves to rest. To spend proper time with their parents, free time, not just work and pressure, and endless rehearsals.”
I lower my gaze, wringing my hands together as I feel Remi’s frustration thicken the air in the car. He notices immediately, and his expression shifts to worry.
“Shit, sorry, Seb. I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s just... the thought of you being put through that kind of pressure so young, it makes my blood boil.”
“You’re right. It’s just... I’ve never known anything else. And even though I love my instrument, and playing gives my life meaning, I do get what you’re saying.”
“I just want you to finally live life on your own terms, Seb. You deserve that. You have every right to it.”
“I’m trying, I swear. With everything I’ve got…” I reassure him. “But now, you have to tell me the thing that’s been driving me mad ever since we left…”
I see panic flash across his face, and I can’t help smirking as I press on, voice teasing: “How the hell did you convince Ian to lend you his car??”
Remi exhales in relief, chuckling nervously. “Honestly, it was easier than I thought... When I told him I was going to get you, he didn’t put up much of a fight.”
“Did you tell him anything about us?”
“No, I’d never do that without talking to you first. But... Ian figured it out anyway,” Remi says, lowering his gaze again, clearly worried. “Believe me, I wouldn’t have involved him unless I was really desperate.”
“I know, don’t worry. I don’t mind that Ian knows about us. And I’m sure we can trust him to be discreet. Still, I imagine it wasn’t easy for you to go to him. I never got the sense you liked him much…”
“Ian’s fine. It’s just... what I didn’t like was the way he openly flirted with you.”
“Well, if it helps, he never had a chance. Since the first time I saw you, I haven’t been able to think about anyone else.”
Now it’s my turn to blush. And just as the heat blooms in my cheeks, Remi reaches out, fingers gently brushing through my hair. He tucks a rogue strand behind my ear, and when he speaks, his voice drops an octave. A shiver races down my spine.
“The same goes for me. You know that, right?”
I nod. Because I do. I don’t fully understand how, but I can feel it, that pull between us, like gravity.
I hear the want in his voice, and my body responds instinctively. Despite the anxiety, the adrenaline of the past fewhours, and the uncertainty of where we stand, I want Remi more than ever. And it’s not just physical, I probably shouldn’t, but I want so much more from him.
I shift slightly in my seat, trying to hide the very obvious effect he’s having on me, not exactly easy when the thin fabric of my joggers leaves little to the imagination. Thankfully, he’s focused on the road, seemingly unaware of my predicament.
Still, as much as I want him,as much as I ache for him, we need to talk first. Before anything happens between us, we have to be honest. We need to figure out what this is… what we really want from each other.
“We’re nearly there!” Remi announces suddenly. “We’re just about to reach Sennen Cove!”
The car begins to descend slowly towards the village I had seen earlier in the distance. As we pass by pubs and thatched-roof cottages, I roll down the window, and the sharp scent of salt and sea air hits me immediately.
I close my eyes and breathe in deeply, then turn to face him. I can’t help the little pang of anxiety in my chest. I don’t know what he’s told his family about me. Even if he just introduces me as a friend, I’ll still feel awkward, showing up at their house unannounced.
Remi seems to sense my unease.
