She winces. “Sorry. I didn’t think it was that loud.”
“Don’t apologize, unless I need to apologize for invading your space again.”
She shakes her head, a small smile on her face as she crosses to one of the tables next to a chaise longue and grabs a bottle of water.
“No. I…” Her voice trails off. She raises the bottle and takes a long drink. “Before the gala, I hadn’t danced for anyone for years except Jessica and a couple of the other people at Obsidian.”
“So why choose a gala with hundreds of people?”
“I didn’t. Jessica was supposed to perform that night, but her sister went into labor and she wanted to be there for her. The other fire dancers were at some event in the city.” She shrugs. “So I said yes.”
Loyalty is a trait I admire, perhaps more than any other, given what Dominic, Cassian and I went through together. I already admired Seraphina, respected her. But hearing that she gave her first performance in years to help out a friend, to see the evidence of how much she’s overcome, makes me realize just how strong and resilient this woman really is.
“Do you dance?”
I arch a brow. “Do I look like I dance?”
“You must dance at least once at the masquerade.” Her eyes widen as I shake my head. “Seriously?”
“Seriously.” I tilt my head. “You could teach me.”
Excitement sparks in her eyes, but disappears just as quickly.
“If it’s too much—”
“No. It’s just…” She glances down at the ground, then looks back up at me. “I haven’t taught in a long time. But talking to you on the boat…” Her lips curve up. “I didn’t realize how much I’d been afraid to talk about what happened. It kept me from dating, kept me from fully embracing my dancing. But you accepting what happened helped. A lot. I feel lighter than I have in a long time.” She smiles. “That’s a long, complicated way of saying I’d like to teach you.”
I’m glad I helped. I am. But I also don’t know how to accept her gratitude, her continuing kindness and the trust she’s placing in me. I was always impressed by Seraphina’s professionalism and how she never once showed any interest in me romantically. I’m starting to wonder if that’s because she’s only recently started seeing me differently or if she was just adhering to the boundaries I set in place. If I’ve been missing out on this side of a woman who’s invested so much of herself into my firm.
For the first time, my walls no longer feel secure. They feel like a prison.
Seraphina holds out her hand. “Ready?”
I hold up a finger and pull my phone out of my pocket.
“What are you doing?”
“Making a quick call.” I dial. “Yes, Arthur? Can you bring up a bottle of Dom Pérignon to Miss Clark’s suite, please? 1953 if we have it in stock.Merci.”
“1953?” Seraphina repeats as I hang up. “Like in…”
“Bond. James Bond.”
She wrinkles her nose. “Is it still good after all this time?”
I can’t help but grin. “We’re about to find out. It only cost me two thousand pounds at an auction in London.”
“Only two thousand,” she repeats.
“It’s a quality brand.” I pause, then decide there’s at least one thing I can share. A part of my past that won’t let down my walls too much. “John introduced me to James Bond. When I was studying for the test I needed to take to get my diploma, I’d put on the older Bond movies. If John was in, he’d make popcorn and join me.”
Interest sparks in Seraphina’s eyes. “He sounded like such an incredible man. What was he like when you first met him?” Before I can respond, she quickly adds, “Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
I frown. I don’t like that that’s her reaction every time she asks me something. I don’t like to share, but I don’t like seeing her withdraw so quickly.
A knock sounds at the door. I cross the terrace and Seraphina’s room and open the door for Arthur, who’s holding a tray containing the champagne and a couple of flutes.
“Bonsoir, monsieur.Votre champagne.”
