“That wasincredible,” I finish for Zee.
Elliot’s face relaxes. And then, in a blink-and-miss-it kind of way, he gives me a very, very small smile. “I’m glad you approve, Oliver. But perhaps you’re right; pop music is more suited to our gathering tonight.” He gives a nod at Daniel, looking damp-eyed where he’s seated next to Chef Henriette’s feet. “Play on, Daniel.”
The mood has changed, though, so this time Daniel puts on some smooth R’n’B instead, letting a quieter vibe carry throughout the room.
“Elliot,” Nik says, when Elliot joins us on the sofa again, “thank you so much. That was beautiful.”
Zee sits next to Nik, looking at me with speculation, but she smiles when I catch her eye. “Incredible,” she agrees, “as Oliver said.”
“Thank you, both of you,” Elliot says, almost stilted. “It still lacks a resolution, though, as you heard.”
“If you can find that happy ending, we’d be honored if you would play it for us again,” Nik says.
Elliot’s brows tug together, but he gives a polite nod. “We’ll see.”
“Isthatwhat you’ve been working on?” Nik goes on. “For—” He breaks off, and I wonder what he was going to say.
“I’m afraid not,” Elliot says with a small laugh. “No. That was just a private piece I’ve been working on for myself.”
“You’ve always had a great gift, Elliot,” Zee says sincerely. “But that piece is extraordinary. I’ve never heard anything quite so beautiful. It would be a shame to deprive the world of it. Truly.”
He gives a jerky nod. Zee’s smile turns slightly sad, and she gives a squeeze at Nik’s wrist, who excuses himself to follow her as she stands and moves away.
Elliot says nothing, and goes back to watching the room. But I’m still so moved I have a lump in my throat. “It really was…wonderful.” I don’t have the words to tell him exactly how amazing it was. But I can see he’s pleased as he sends me a sidelong glance.
“As I said, I’m glad thatyou, Oliver, enjoyed it.”
Me in particular? Is that what he’s trying to say? My heart beats a little faster.
“Idid,” I say, trying to infuse everything I’m feeling into those two little words. Something strikes me. “What’s it called?” I ask.
Elliot’s eyes are dark as a moonless night sky and twice as gorgeous when he looks at me. I don’t think he’s going to reply, but then he says, “It’s called ‘For Oliver.’”
His hand reaches across the small divide of the sofa and covers mine. I take in a breath as our fingers entwine. I want to thank him, but I’m not sure how.
Instead, I just squeeze back at his fingers when—full and unguarded and affectionate—he smiles at me.
CHAPTER20
Elliot
When I lead Oliver up the stairs tonight, I take his hand in mine and I don’t let go until we reach the sanctuary of our rooms. I’m still filled up with the music I played for him downstairs, still filled up by his reaction, by what I thought I saw in his eyes, but I find myself at a sudden loss when we stand there together, alone again at last in my bedroom, and I have to speak to him.
“I’m glad you liked my new piece,” I say at last.
“Likedit?” He gives a laugh. “It was amazing. I never knew…I never realized classical music could be so…” He flails a little. “Obviously, I need an education.”
I’m still holding his hand, so I bring it up to my lips while I think about what it is that I want from him. “I wondered,” I say slowly, “if we might spend the night together.”
“Hell, yes,” he says quickly, surprising me into a laugh. “But…give me some time to freshen up, would you?”
While he’s away from me, I make my preparations. There is one tool in the cabinet on the wall here that I have always wanted to try, and it matches with my plans for Oliver tonight. A handmade, delicate silver filigree feather with a sharp tip, it is designed for scratching and marking. I make sure to disinfect the tool, and set it by the bed.
I light candles rather than overhead lights; Zee and Nik always provide a multitude of them, along with a small fire extinguisher in case of accidents. There’s also a first aid kit and—I happen to know—an emergency button to slam in the worst of circumstances. Zee herself will come running, she always promises, and reminds me each time I enter this house.
We have the same conversation each time. “I’m unlikely to do anything so damaging, my dear,” I tell her.
“It’s not always so simple,” she’ll respond. “And I like knowing it’s there, just in case.”
