“You know who I am?”
“I’ve heard a lot about you over the years. Jax told me you were coming to stay.”
I suddenly remember Jax mentioning his dad was due to stock the house with food.
“Do you live nearby?”
“Not far. I keep an eye on the place when Jax is away,” he says. He looks at the piano again. “Will you play something for me?”
“Of course, any requests?” I say, turning back to the beautiful piano and placing my hands back on the keys.
CHAPTER 57
JAX
My heart stops as I open the front door and enter the house.
Music, and not just any music.
Piano music.
A piece I haven’t heard in years.
I move towards the music room, unable to keep the smile from my face.
I pull up short at the doorway.
Dad is sitting next to Kat, and they’re laughing. Dad’s fingers join Kat’s on the keys, and he plays as he did when I was a child.
Kat’s eyes come up and meet mine. She’s glowing. Something I haven’t seen in years.
“Jax.”
Her voice is breathless as she says my name.
They’ve both stopped playing. Dad looks over.
“Hi, Jax,” he says. “Sorry the food’s late. My car had a flat battery. I had to wait for the recovery people.”
I hold up a hand. “It’s fine,” I say, my eyes still locked on Kat.
She grins at me.
“How is it?” I ask.
“I’m a little rusty, but it’s like riding a bike. I can’t believe you have a Steinway in your house. Do you play now?”
Dad’s gaze burns into me. He knows.
“No, I don’t play,” I admit.
Kat’s brows furrow. Then she turns and smiles at David.
“You play?”
“I do, but this isn’t for me,” he says quietly, his gaze meeting mine over her head. He places a hand on Kat’s forearm. “I better go. I have a million and one jobs that need doing.” Dad gets up quickly and moves away. “It was lovely to meet you, Kat. Hopefully we can catch up again while you’re here.”
“I’d like that,” she says. “You can tell me more stories about Jax as a boy.”
