His hoodie and ripped jeans were black too, and when the sleeves slid up, I caught a glimpse of a delicate floral tattoo winding around his pale forearm.
Yeah.
My guest is full of surprises.
He looks more like a rock singer than a classical pianist.
Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a pair of black leather trousers stuffed somewhere in that hot-pink suitcase.
As for inviting him to dinner tonight, that was pure impulse.
I just hope it wasn’t a mistake.
Maddie asked me, very clearly, to be kind. To make him feel welcome.
So I guess breaking the ice is a good start.
I’m counting on Anne to help keep things from getting too awkward.
I’m just about to turn my attention to the essay in front of me when that damn dimple flashes through my mind again.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I need to get a grip before I make things even more complicated than they already are.
MADDIE
I’m almost in New York now. The plane is getting ready to land, and through the tiny window, I catch a glimpse of that unmistakable skyline, tall, bold, buzzing with life. The most electric city in the world.
Right now, I feel completely overwhelmed. There’s the joy and pride of having earned this opportunity. The pressure of the expectations I’m carrying. The ache of already missing Remi. The regret of having just missed seeing Seb.
And the growing worry about how the two of them will get along sharing the same flat.
A horrible thought suddenly crosses my mind:
Was it completely reckless to ask Remi to host Sebastian, after four years apart, andwhile I’m away?
Actually, now that I think about it… yeah. It was total madness.
Only someone like Remi would have agreed.
Anyone else would’ve laughed in my face at the very idea.
But not my Remi.
I think he sensed how anxious I was about Sebastian, and being the generous, empathetic person he is, he said yes, just to give me some peace of mind as I left.
The truth is, my lingering affection for Seb clouded my judgment. Looking at it with a clear head now, I realize I shouldn’t have dropped this on Remi.
If anything, I should’ve asked Anne to host him.
But it’s too late now.
What’s done is done.
All I can do is stay optimistic and hope the two of them manage to live together peacefully until I get back.
Maybe Sebastian will find a place quickly.
