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“I think she’s more open to it now. I want to help, too.” David sighed. “It’s going to be a challenge for her here, but at the same time, I think it’s a good thing. She needs to come to terms with her past and face it. You can help her.”
Mark smiled. “I shoved a violin into her hands last week and saw her change before my eyes.”
David smiled. “I knew you’d be good for her.” He pressed his lips together and shook his head. “We need to get the Café shut down.”
Mark nodded. “Agreed. I’ve been working on that.” He shared how he’d been in touch with Alex, and how Chase was going to look into things while he was in LA.
David explained what Emily had told him about Amber’s death. “I think we can use itto get the authorities involved. He didn’t exactly confess to Emily that he’d killed her, but it’s a start.”
Mark nodded. “I’m sure there’s got to be a video somewhere.” He made a mental note to let Chase know about it. David grew quiet and Mark tilted his head. “You liked Amber, didn’t you?”
David nodded. “She was a good girl.” He gave a tight smile. “Different than Emily, but yes, I enjoyed spending time with her.” He shook his head. “I should have known she wouldn’t have left the Café without talking to me about it.” He clenched his jaw and stared at the table. “I should have done something earlier about all that shit.” He gave Mark a wry smile. “But I enjoyed it.”
Mark gave an absent nod. “We can do something about it now,” he said in a low voice.
David closed his eyes but opened them as Emily emerged from her bedroom.
“It’s done. The front desk said they’d bring it up with breakfast in the morning.”
“I ordered pepper spray for her,” David said as Emily returned to the edge of the couch and folded her hands in her lap. He raised his eyebrows at Emily, a stern glint in his eyes. “I don’t want you out of my sight unless you have that in your hand.”
She shook her head. “David, I—”
He frowned. “I won’t lose another girl, Em. I need to know you’re safe.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
Mark swallowed at the intensity in David’s eyes as he stared at Emily. He glanced at Emily, who looked away when she saw him watching.
David yawned and stood. “I’m going to go study for my presentation tomorrow.” Mark started to stand but David shook his head. “You and Emily can hang out here. I’ll go to my bedroom.”
Emily’s mouth opened and David gave her a gentle smile. “I told you we weren’t going to do anything and I meant it. Spend time with Mark. He’s good for you.”
The two men shook hands and David disappeared into the bedroom on the opposite side of the suite from Emily’s.
Mark glanced at Emily, who was twisting the edge of her t-shirt again. “You okay?”
She nodded. “I enjoyed your concerto.” Her eyes sparkled. “It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard.”
“I was thinking about you when I played.”
Her eyes widened and her lips parted, but then she closed her mouth.
“What?” he asked in a gentle voice.
She shook her head. “Nothing.”
* * *
Emily closed her eyes,hearing Mark play the second movement again in her mind, allowing the emotions to wash over her once more. If nothing more came from spending time with him than friendship, she could be content. After all, he was a kind man she enjoyed being around. And he’d promise to help her learn to play the violin again. What more could she ask for?
“You’re such an amazing musician,” she said. “You captivated the entire audience.”
“I wasn’t playing for them.”
She opened her eyes and stared at him. “You... weren’t?” Was it possible...
He shook his head and moved closer to her, taking her hand. “I played for you and you only.” He smiled. “I kind of think of it as our piece, since I was playing it the first time I saw you.”
