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“If playing in a bar two nights a week is what it takes to make you happy, then I’m willing to go with you to every show. But you have to remember our deal. If I tell you that you have to pull back, then you have to pull back. I’m not fucking around with your safety.”
Zoe’s eyes grow wide as she meets my gaze. She pulls her bottom lip into her mouth as the blood rushes in my ears. I know that I should force her to stay home where it is safe, but I do want her to be happy. Even if I can never be the husband that she deserves, I can at least make sure that she is happy.
“You’re going to go with me?” Her tone is skeptical.
She grabs her mug and holds it with both hands, drumming her fingers on the side. “You don’t have to do that.”
“Yeah. I do. You’re my responsibility. Even though the team is going with you, I need to be there to protect you. And I’m going to be there to support you, Zoe.”
“You didn’t seem like you liked that idea much last night.”
I nod and round the kitchen island. “Come with me. I have something to show you. It’s a little surprise that I’ve been working on for the last few days.”
She raises an eyebrow but gets up and follows me out of the house and into the backyard.
We walk through the gate at the far end of the yard that leads to the rest of my property.
“What have you been working on?” I approach a small white building with her trailing behind.
“If I tell you right now, it’s going to ruin the surprise.” I move behind her and put my hands over her eyes. “I want you to feel like this is your home too, but I get the feeling that you don’t, yet. I’m hoping that this shows you I’m serious about that.”
Zoe puts her hands over mine. “Christian, this seems like a little much. You didn’t have to get me anything. I know that this is my home now. It just doesn’t feel like home all the time.”
I keep one hand over her eyes while reaching around her to open the door to the little white building. The curtains are pulled across the windows right now, but when they’re open, this part of the room will flood with light.
“Zoe, if it doesn’t always feel like home, then it isn’t your home. I want you to feel that way one day, though. I hope that this helps a little. I want you to know that I support your career, and I want you to do whatever you can to chase that dream.” I take a deep breath and pull my hand away from her eyes.
Her soft gasp makes my heart skip a beat.
I move to open the curtains, letting light flood into the room.
In front of us is a soundboard and a wall made of glass. Just behind a little door to the right of the soundboard is the recording studio.
Zoe looks at me with tears shining in her eyes before making her way over to the computer on a desk in the corner. “This is amazing, Christian. You didn’t have to do this. It’s too much.”
I shrug and tuck my hands in my pockets. “You want to be a musician, Zoe. All musicians need a space to practice and record their songs.”
“Most of them don’t have a recording studio at their home.” She goes over and opens the door to the studio.
I follow her inside, watching the way she runs her fingers over a piano.
Her small smile is enough to send my stomach twisting into knots.
I was worried that she wouldn’t like the surprise, but it’s clear she does.
“This is your space. Do with it whatever you want. I mean that. If you don’t like the color of the couch out in the main room, order a new one. Want a new instrument? Order one. I’m leaving you one of my credit cards. Get yourself whatever you need that I didn’t think of.”
She wanders around the room, taking in the instruments and equipment.
When she turns back to me, there are tears running down her cheeks. “Christian, this is too much. You didn’t have to do this for me.”
I reach out and pull her into a hug.
She buries her face in my shoulder, her tears soaking through my shirt.
The scent of her shampoo wafts up to me as she leans back to look at me.
“I know it’s a lot,” I say, running my hands up and down her back. “This recording studio is yours, but I would like to know when you’re out here. Just for peace of mind. There’s a security system set up, and your security detail will stay outside, but I would still like to know when you come down here.”
