Page 36 of Zombies, Satyrs and Vampires, Oh My!

chapter

eight

Harriet

I’m not even going to pretend to stay away. I know I told him I’d leave him alone. But he didn’t respond to that, and it feels like there are things left unsaid.

Besides that, I know there’s something between us, even if Jace is being stubborn about it.

It goes beyond Steven’s lawsuit. Do I still want Jace’s help? Of course, but that is not a contingency I’m willing to put on whatever is developing between us.

This time he must be expecting me to arrive because when I breach the opening in the woods where the church sits, the music stops. I step into the stone building and he nods.

“Harriet,” he says.

“You don’t seem surprised that I’m back.”

A ghost of a smile plays across his lips. “You’re persistent so I figured the odds were good you’d return.”

“I’m not here about my brother or the lawsuit or whatever.”

“Then why are you here?” he asks. He’s still sitting behind the piano.

“Because I like you and I think you like me too. I just want to spend some time together.”

“You like me?”

I smile at him. “Surely you noticed that I took three of your classes and then audited another two.”

He releases a tight chuckle. “But all you ever saw were my hands.”

“And heard your voice.” I bite down on my bottom lip. “Maybe it’s inappropriate for me to say since you were once my professor, but it was your voice that made me keep coming back for more. After the initial music theory class, I understood enough to have better comprehension when talking to my brother. I didn’t need the additional classes.”

“But you wanted to hear my voice?”

“Yes, but also, just be near you. If that makes any sense.” I can’t tell how he’s taking any of these revelations so I chuckle and try to hedge my bets. “I’m sure plenty of your students have had crushes on you.”

I move closer, but he doesn’t demand I stay away.

Those golden eyes of his widen as I get close enough to put my hand on the top of the piano. The old wood isn’t as smooth as it once was, there are initials and designs carved into the piano’s exterior. I follow one such indentation with my thumbnail, sliding into the groove.

“Harriet, I should tell you something,” he says.

I stare into his face. “Is this about your dick?”

The shock in his expression is priceless. Especially because his adorable goat ears lift, then wiggle. “You know?”

I shrug. “Of course, I’ve heard. People in this town are extremely protective of you. Which is as adorable as it is admirable.”

He blows out a breath and his hand scrapes across his trimmed beard. “Things got out of hand for a while after we all initially changed. It caused some issues and I pretty much just went into hiding. It makes everyone more comfortable that way.”

“They miss you,” I tell him. “I heard that the piano at Down the Rabbit Hole hasn’t been touched since the last time you played.”

He smiles wistfully and it makes me sad that he’s forced himself into exile.

“You know, if we’re going to be friends, then I’m going to have to see it sooner or later,” I say.

“Is that what we’re doing? Becoming friends?” he asks.