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Beau
“You havesomething purple on your chin.”
Eric pointed, peering at my face.
I hadn’t been this close to anyone—except Cal—and so far it had worked well. Or people had kept their mouths shut.
I forgot to reapply makeup before the piano lesson with Eric. We sat on the bench together. At that angle, it was probably impossible not to see.
“You work on this and I’m going to try to get it off,” I said brightly.
“Okay.”
His fingers flew over the keys. He’d taken to the piano as if he was born to play. Eric was gifted beyond measure.
I rushed to my bathroom and examined the bruise. Indeed, it was starting to peek out beneath the makeup. I reapplied, taking extra care to cover up any other bare spots.
Once I was satisfied, I rejoined Eric in the living room. The piece was melancholy and beautiful. It fit my mood as he flawlessly played.
Lincoln and Lexie wandered beside me.
“I thought you were having a date hour,” I whispered.
“We are, but the music is too magnificent to ignore,” Lexie whispered back. She elbowed Lincoln. “Magnificent is his word.”
And he was right.
The doorbell rang. Muffy and Millie raced toward it, barking their heads off.
The music stopped.
“Who’s coming over?” Eric asked.
“Are you expecting anyone?” Lincoln looked between Lexie and me.
We both shook our heads.
He strode to the door and checked the spy hole. Then he snapped and both dogs sat, though they continued barking.
“Winston. What are you doing here?” Lincoln ushered the man who’d been more of a father to us than our own had inside. “Forgive me for being abrupt. I’m pleasantly surprised.”
Dread filled me. I’d forced myself to shove the conversation with my father into the deepest recesses of my mind. The sight of Winston brought it crashing back with a vengeance.
“I’m here to collect Miss Hollingsworth.”
Lincoln furrowed his brow. “I thought you weren’t expecting anyone?”
“I forgot. Winston, I’m not ready yet.” I touched Eric’s shoulder. “Another lesson next week?”
“Okay. Thank you for teaching me.”
“You’ve made the piano not so bad,” I said, a little too honestly. I still despised the sight of one but didn’t want to ruin it for Eric.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“To spend time with my father.”
“I forbid it,” Lincoln growled.
