Page 84 of Serenade Me

“Would you? If I-… we, asked?”

“Try and keep me away.” I wink at him.

“So – okay, if not the fifth member of our band, then what? Maybe you should try auditioning for the London Symphony Orchestra. I heard they might have a harpist opening.”

Even as he says the words, I know it’s not what I want.

“Maybe?”

“So that’s a no.” It hasn’t taken him long to read me at all.

“It’s never been my dream to be just another harpist in an orchestra, Marius. It’s the end goal for many, but not me. Even before the stuff with the, er, before, performing was never what I really wanted to do with my life.”

“What DO you want to do?”

And for the first time ever, it occurs to me.

“I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. You know, with Jez’s money, I don’t really have to worry about money. So what could I do, if I could do anything in the whole world?”

“It sounds like you might know.”

“I think I do. I… I want to teach, Marius. I want to share the knowledge, the passion. I’ve had good teachers, and lord knows I’ve had bad ones. It makes such a difference. I wonder how many more brilliant musicians there could be out there if someone had just led them on the right path.”

He smiles at me as if he already knew. “Any school would be lucky to have you.”

I shake my head, even as the thoughts formulate in my head. “I don’t want to just be any old teacher in any old school. I think it’s time… to go back to my roots.”

“Romania?”

“Yeah. I mean, Jez and I don’t spend half as much time as we should there. You know, barely once a year for a week or two visiting our grandparents. We owe them more than that. They made all this possible for us, you know. Working when they should’ve been retired, giving us every opportunity possible. Maybe it’s time to give back. Not just to them, but their whole community, it’s not like they’re swimming in money. Not where we’re from anyway.”

He doesn’t say anything, just squeezes me tighter.

“It’s too bad you haven’t had much chance to talk to Cadence. She’ll probably want to steal you away hearing you talk like this.”

“You don’t think it’s silly?”

“I think you’re silly for asking that.”

“No, really, your opinion matters to me.”

“Well, it shouldn’t. But let me tell you this – I think it sounds like it’s a perfect direction for you to take. You’ll be freakin’ awesome at it. ‘Miss Anca’s School Of Music Freaks.’” He traces out the words in the air.

“Don’t tease!”

He smiles and drops a kiss on my nose, “I’m not baby. I really do think you’ll be great at it.”

“What about you, Marius?”

“What about me?”

“What is your dream?”

“I’m living it babe. I really am.” He gives me a little squeeze. “Even parts I didn’t know I was dreaming about.”

“And what if I go to Romania?” The prospect of one day leaving his side is making me feel sick already.

“Will you be happy? Doing what you want to do?”

I have to nod. I know I would be.

“Then what more am I supposed to ask for? You know planes fly to Romania, right?” I poke my tongue out at him. “Wait, do they have vegetarian food in Romania?”

I roll my eyes. “Sure, my grandma makes great food.”

“Cool.”

“Just pick the meat out.” I finish with a grin.

“Witch.”