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“Howexactlydid you two meet? You've never totally explained that before?” I inquire because neither of them has told me the whole story.
“In Paris,” Bastian responds as we drive through the tunnel of trees.
“I know that but like how? All I know is you two were upset over breakups and he used to hang out at a bar where you worked, but there has to be more to that story.”
“I’ll let Adam tell you. It’s a long story and we’ve arrived. Let’s just say, Adam and I are two scorned lovers whose paths crossed most unusually,” he says.
“You’re seriously leaving me hanging with that cliffhanger?” I ask.
“Oui,” he replies as he parks and gets out to open my door.
I take his offered hand and he helps me out of the car and up the stairs to the enormous front doors. I hesitate when he opens them and motions for me to enter. Call it déjà vu or PTSD, but memories of less than a week ago flood my mind. It’s barely been a couple of days since the snowstorm...since I spent three whole days alone with Adam.
I swallow and make the final step into the house. I shiver as Bastian closes the door.
“He’s waiting in the ballroom,” Bastian says, and I frown.
“There’s a ballroom?”
Bastian laughs. “This way.”
“Is that Isa?” Mrs. Potter says as she throws open a door to what looks like a small office.
“Hi,” I squeak as she pulls me into a hug and then steps back. “Thomas, come look. Doesn’t she just look beautiful?”
An older man with a beard like Santa Claus gets up from a desk and walks over to us. “This is my husband, Thomas. Thomas, this is Isa Garren.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Garren,” Thomas says.
“Likewise, and please call me Isa.”
“You’re going to have such a great time,” Mrs. Potter exclaims.
“I…hope so,” I respond because I don’t know what else to say, hell, I don’t even know what we’re doing tonight.
“Come on, Adam hates to wait,” Bastian says.
“Adam can wait for a second so I can see this gorgeous dress he picked out,” Mrs. Potter scolds as she looks at my dress. “It really is perfect for you. OK, off you go. You have fun now.”
“I will. Nice meeting you again, Thomas,” I say.
The old man tips his head a little, and before I can say anything else, Bastian grabs my hand to pull me along.
I follow him toward the library. He opens a set of doors before we reach the library and I pause as I take in the enormous room. It’s completely void of furniture. There are several paintings on the walls, but it’s the ceiling that draws my attention. It’s rounded and it’s dark blue with little lights dotting it, little stars. Clouds dot the skyscape, and the stars are aligned into the constellations of the summer sky.
“It’s breathtaking,” I whisper, but my voice echoes around the empty space.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Adam’s voice responds, and I jump a little.
He’s standing in the corner nearest me and Bastian. Bastian squeezes my shoulder. “Have a good night, Ms. Garren,” he says with a wink before shutting the door, leaving me alone with Bastian.
Adam holds out his hand to me and I slowly take it. “Care to dance?” he asks. I look around in confusion.
“I thought…aren’t we going…” I trail off.
He smiles down at me as he pulls me into his arms. “We are. I just thought it’d be nice to have a quiet moment first.”
He spins us toward a wall and puts his hand on the wall and a panel opens. He presses some buttons. Suddenly a waltz blares on speakers hidden somewhere in the room. He spins me toward the center, and we dance. I let him lead because I have no idea how to waltz.
