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“How is she different? She’s smart, beautiful, talented…”
“She’s also sweet, generous, and must have a heart of gold to not only have put up with your temper but to see you through these last few months. But she was really upset tonight. What happened? And don’t give me the whitewashed version you gave Mom and Dad.”
“There’s nothing more to tell. The guy had a knife, he stole Charlotte’s violin, we ran away.”
I wasn’t about to repeat the vile threats the guy had made about Charlotte, not ever again.
“And that’s a pretty big deal to a concert violinist, I’d imagine,” Ava was saying. “She was probably really attached to her instrument.”
“Yes,” I said slowly. “But she hadn’t been serious about playing in a long time. She’s had…a rough year and is taking time off.”
“And that’s it?”
I shifted in my seat, thinking of the Vienna Touring Orchestra. The one that would take her away from me if she auditioned.
“Of course not,” I answered finally. “That instrument meant a lot to her. Her parents worked hard to save up…and it had sentimental value. Look, what are you getting at? She needs a new violin, so I’ll buy her a new violin.”
“She’s a Juilliard trained virtuoso?” Ava remarked. “You can’t just walk into a music store and pick some factory thing off the wall.”
“She doesn’t audition anymore,” I said, lowering my voice. “And that’s her business. I’m done discussing it behind her back.”
“Mmhmm,” Ava said. “You want to know what I think?”
“I can’t wait.”
“I think that girl has poured her entire life into yours, getting you out of that townhouse. She’s devoted to you. And what have you done for her?”
“Are you kidding me? You spend one afternoon with us, and you’ve got us all figured out?” I shook my head. “She’s the one good thing that’s happened to me since the accident. I’d do anything for her.Anything.”
“That’s beautiful,” Ava said without sarcasm. “She is beautiful. And kind. And not aPXgirl. If she’s as talented as you say, then she needs to be playing and you know why. The adrenaline is not just limited to jumping off cliffs or giving the finger to bomb threats. My best friend is an actor in the West End, and she talks about it all the time. The rush. Performing is whereperformersfeel alive.”
I drummed my fingers on the table. “I need her. I can’t function without her. I can’t even find my way to our room without her.”
“Needing her is not the same as loving her.”
Loving her. Loving Charlotte…My chest constricted painfully.We don’t have to figure everything out all at once, I told myself and realized Ava was waiting for a response.
“I can do both. I care about her more than anything, and that’s the last time I’m going to say it before I feel like I’m just trying to prove something to you.”
“I believe you,” Ava said. “I’ve never seen you like this. You’re a different kind of happy than I’ve ever seen. It’s not obvious; it’s in your bones or something, and I’m really happyforyou, Noah. But about your job, you’re still restless and holding on to something that’s not there anymore.”
“You don’t know that, Ava. I’m going toPlanet X’s ball, and I’m going to talk to Yuri about a job. A career—”
“What career? You can’t have your old life back,” Ava snapped. “You’re different now. And Charlotte is different. She’s not like Angelina—”
“Valentina.”
“Whatever.” I heard the scrape of wood as Ava pushed her chair back. “I like Charlotte. I agree that she’s the best thing to happen to you. Not since the accident but sinceever.”
Her hand landed on my arm.
“Don’t fuck it up.”
It took me ten stinking minutes to find the suite, but I would be goddamned before I asked anyone for help. I opened the last door on a hallway and breathed a sigh of relief; I could smell fragrant steam, soap, and Charlotte’s own sweet vanilla scent hanging in the air. I stripped down to my underwear and climbed into bed with her. She immediately scooted closer to me, her back against my chest.
“I thought you’d be asleep,” I murmured, holding her tightly.
“I did too.”
