Page 8 of The Devil’s Feather

“Would you like it to be?”

Damn, not the Uno Reverse! I chewed on my bottom lip. “Yes?”

Rafael’s smile had a tinge of relief. “Then, yes.”

“Oh, thank god. I was afraid the autism thing would put you off.” I really needed a kill switch for my mouth.

His smile turned rueful. “Madam, I lock myself in a room for days at a time, furiously writing music by hand. I do not eat and barely drink during that time. With even the slightest interruption, I will burn it all and start over. I have never been evaluated, but I do not need to be. You are fine.”

“Forgive me for asking, but really, how are you single? I mean, I guess I’m making an assumption there.” Oh, please …

Rafael ran a hand over his hair. “I am bad-tempered and antisocial. Thus, I am single. To ask you the same: if you are single, how so?”

We arrived at my car. I’d never been so reluctant to see my beloved Fiat. But I didn’t want the date to end.

“I keep choosing the wrong men.”

The composer tsked. “A shame. Here you are, doing it again.”

I stared at him. How much of his teasing was flirting? Impossible to tell, but he did say he liked me. He also made no move to kiss me.

I opened the car door and paused. “How does that whole ‘punching people in your spare time’ thing fit in with your reclusive composer lifestyle?”

“That would be the trauma. I save those stories for the second date.”

1 “Bad Decisions” by Bad Omens

3

BRUNCH IS FOR BULLYING YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THEIR LOVE LIVES

My phone buzzed⁠1 at brunch two days later. Rafael Nazim’s name lit up the screen, and my heart did a backflip.

Apart from a brief exchange when I’d arrived home the other night, I hadn’t heard from him and was losing hope. I snuck out while my two housemates argued over which TV doctor was hotter. My crepe could wait.

Rafael: Which of these two samples do you prefer? Do not say “both” or I will block you.

I got the distinct feeling he wasn’t joking. Two recordings of piano music popped up. The first was a haunting melody that tugged at my heart. The second was faster, more frenetic.

Me: the first one i think. its more emotional

Rafael: You have good taste. Also, I like your book.

Me: oh god im being perceived

Rafael: The excruciating ordeal of being known.

Me: well your music is dark and moody

Rafael: Accurate.

Me: my editor would appreciate your staunch adherence to correct grammar in texting

Rafael: Your editor is wise.

Rafael: Authors are supposed to be good with words, yes?

Me: words yes grammar no