“I can’t afford it,” she says, shaking her head.
“Free of charge.”
I’ll teach her every instrument she wants, if she would just sayyes.
“You’re insane,” she declares. “That’sinsane. I know how much private lessons cost.”
“I don’t hear you saying no,” I counter, and she huffs, exasperated.
“I’m not. But what would I owe you in return?”
I lean against the doorframe and cross my arms. “Usually, when something’s free, it means there’s no payment,” I say, smirking.
Her eyes narrow. “I know that, smartass.”
“Smartass, huh?” I cock an eyebrow.
“You’re not my professor anymore; I don’t need to be on good behavior.” She grins.
And just like that, I fall a little harder.
“Fine,” I say, determined not to let her know how she affects me. “In return, you give me your time. And we can be friends.”
We both know that’s a lie; I can see by the suspicious look she gives me.
I don’t want to just be friends with Maeve.
I want to know everything about her.
“And I’ll keep an eye out for any stray cat I see,” I offer. “Then you’ll help me trap them and we will save them together.”
Her face brightens and a delighted smile crosses her features.
“It’s a pretty dirty trick to win me over with cats,” she warns me, and I simply shrug.
“Two minutes ago, I was about to never see you again. I’ll do what I have to.”
She holds my gaze, searching my eyes. “You have a deal, Fang.”
Relief washes over me, and my heart finally stops racing.
She’s not leaving—in fact, she’s mine for as long as it takes for her to learn music.
I’ll make sure it takes forever.
13
IVAN
It’sthe best week of my life.
“Mom, you’re going to love her,” I say over our phone call. “She’s the best. She’s got the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met.”
“I can’t wait,” she says. “I truly can’t wait. I’m so happy for you.”
My past few days have been spent helping animals, working with Logan, and sneaking around during my lunch breaks to kiss Maeve. I’ve never smiled so much, and I evenwhistleon my way to work.
It would be embarrassing if I wasn’t so happy.
