Page 15 of Playing By Ear

“Because…” Perry leaned in again, the candlelight dancing in his eyes. “Despite the fact I can’t see wee expressions like smirks and eyerolls, I can still see when you smile.”

Jamie did then, because he couldn’t help it.

“There we are. Usually there’s a lot more fumbling.”

Jamie watched Perry deftly unlock his flat’s heavy white entrance door, using a key with a wee round puffy sticker on it. “Flawless. Five stars. Would recommend.”

Perry bobbed his eyebrows. “Wait’ll you see me change a light bulb.”

Inside was a snug entryway leading to an inner wooden door, the top third of which was a colorful geometric stained glass. Perry hung his cane and coat on one of the entryway’s wall pegs. Jamie gave him his jacket, his skin singing from the nearness of this man in such a small space.

Perry ushered him into the flat’s wide central hall, from which the doors of every room were visible. The pale hardwood floors gleamed in the light of a small modern chandelier.

Jamie followed him toward the kitchen, noting the speed and ease with which his companion moved unaided through his own flat.

This room was bright and wide as well, with a large double window overlooking the dining table and a smaller window above the sink. Jamie imagined how the morning sun would flood the kitchen, and hoped he would be here to see it.

“Shall I get plates for the cannoli,” Perry asked, “or would you rather eat them later?”

Jamie opened the white takeaway box in his hand. The cannoli were the size of beer cans, overflowing with creamy, chocolate-chip-studded white filling. “Definitely later.”

“Let’s put them in the fridge, then.” Perry opened a cupboard near the dining table. “Fancy a glass of port? Or maybe a brandy?”

“I’m pure stuffed from dinner,” Jamie said, “I think I ate an entire basket of bread.”

“Me, too.” He shut the cupboard. “Peppermint tea, then.”

“Perfect.”

Perry crossed the room to the electric kettle, briefly brushing his hand against the kidney-shaped kitchen island. Jamie opened the refrigerator and placed the box inside. “Cannoli are on the top shelf, to the left.”

Perry turned and gaped at him.

“What’s wrong?” Jamie asked.

“Nothing.” Perry took a step forward, halving the distance between them. “You gave me the cannoli’s coordinates.”

“Aye.” Had he ballsed things up? It was just a matter of time. “I thought it’s what I’d want if I was…you know.”

“Blind. You can say it. It’s what I am.” Perry’s eyes and voice held no trace of sadness.

Jamie moved in and kissed him, softly enough to offer Perry a chance to change his mind.

Instead, Perry kissed him back with such determination and authority, Jamie had to grab hold of his shirt to steady himself. A wave of heat washed over him, just beneath the surface of his skin. He dove deep into that wave, wanting never to come up for air.

Perry pressed him back against the worktop. The wave swept Jamie again, its radiant heat stealing what was left of his will.

At last Perry pulled back a few inches to examine him. “I think you’ve got very blue eyes.”

The kettle dinged, as if rewarding Perry’s correct answer.

“And now I’ve seen you up close,” Perry added, “I’ll be better able to see you at a distance.”

“How?”

“The human brain fills in details based on past experience, so the better we know someone, the better we literally see them.”

Jamie swallowed, fighting not to look away. It would take far more than one kiss for Perry to see the real him.