‘Hello. I’ve come for my piano lesson. And to deliver you a coffee?’
‘Piano lesson?’
‘It’s Wednesday, right? Did I get the day wrong?’
Sam grabs the latte that Lexi is holding out to him and takes a sip before replying. ‘You didn’t get the day wrong. I just didn’t know that we were still... doing that.’ He smiles an uncertain smile.
‘Oh, yeah. I know we got a bit off track. But maybe we could pick up where we left off?’
‘With the piano lessons?’ Sam looks no less confused as the minutes go on, and Lexi doesn’t really blame him.
‘Well, with the other stuff too. It all got a bit weird for a while there.’
‘When I found out I was your project.’
This again? Sam really knows how to hold a grudge, apparently. But at least she knows she’s not going to run off this time.
Lexi resists the almost overwhelming urge to justify herself. Her silence leaves Sam room to keep talking.
‘I know. I was an idiot. You were the best thing to happen to me for a long time, and I messed it up because I was afraid. Afraid of getting hurt again, so I saw hurt where there was none intended. I’m sorry.’
‘You are totally forgiven. But also, I’m impressed at this new-found self-awareness.’
‘Thank you, I think.’
Lexi looks into his face and he lets her eyes meet his. She swallows hard.
‘It’s the therapy,’ he says. ‘It’s also made me realise that I should stop selling books out of spite.’
‘So now you’re selling books out of... what? Love?’
‘Yes.’ Sam holds Lexi’s gaze. ‘Love.’ They almost kiss then; Lexi can tell by a slight change in the atmosphere, even though neither of them has moved a centimetre. ‘Except... I’ve actually decided I might do something different altogether.’
‘Oh?’
‘I’ll go back to the piano,’ he says. ‘I’ll teach, and I’ll try to find gigs. Books are fine, but I can take or leave them. You’ve shown me what it’s like to truly love them, and I think they deserve someone who is truly passionate about them.’
Lexi has so many feelings. Can she be with someone who only thinks books arefine? Does it matter, as long as he respects them enough to know what they deserve?
‘But first, if you’ll let me, I’ll look after your bookstore while you fly home for a while. A week, a month, whatever you want.’
Lexi is surprised by the first thought that comes into her head and out of her mouth. ‘I don’t want to be away from you that long.’
Those magic words: they unlock something. His mouth is instantly on hers. They’re both breathing hot and heavy.
‘That,’ he says, manoeuvring her to the bed between words, between kisses, ‘is the correct answer. Let’s not do this breaking-up thing anymore, okay? I want to be with you. I don’t want to compete with you.’
‘Even though making up is so fun?’
‘I’m sure,’ Sam says, his hand finding Lexi’s bra clasp, ‘that we can find adequate substitutes.’
‘You know what I’d really love?’ Sam says afterwards, both of them tucked under the duvet and grinning like cats with the cream.
‘Let me guess.’
Sam snorts. ‘No, not that. I’d really love if we could successfully talk. Or not talk, whatever. But just, like, I’d love to not kick you out of my bed this time.’
‘I’d love that too.’
