"I wouldn't mind, either." I leaned forward to give him a kiss. His mouth was warm, his lips a little salty, and I savored the connection for as long as I could, because it might be the last one.

"Let's walk a little before we go back," Kade said as we broke apart.

I got to my feet, and when he reached out his hand to me, I took it. We walked down the beach until we couldn't go any farther, and then we returned to the house.

I turned over the velvet pouch to Kade and we said goodbye on the porch. It didn't take long for me to pack my suitcase and exit the house. There was really no reason to linger.

When I got in the car, I texted Dani that I was leaving San Francisco. Then I drove down the road, forever changed by my past, but looking forward to my future, whatever that might be.

EPILOGUE

Four months later…

The Grande Salle at the Philharmonie de Paris was completely full, with over two thousand people gathered to hear the concert put on by the visiting Pacific Coast Orchestra. I took my seat in the second row of violins, feeling tingles of excitement race through my body as I prepared for the last concert in our European tour, a concert that was taking place on New Year's Eve, which seemed symbolic. This past year had been filled with so many challenges, discoveries, lies, truths, and emotions. It was ending well, but I wasn't sorry to see the calendar change.

I didn't know what the new year would bring, but hopefully more of the joy I'd been experiencing the last two months as I had toured the world and played in front of many audiences in many different cities. Each concert had made me a better musician and more appreciative of the opportunity that had been given to me.

I already had a couple of job offers for next year, but I hadn't made any decisions yet. I was saving those until midnight.

Turning my attention to the conductor, I got into position, and then I began to play. I had always channeled my emotions through the violin, but in the past, I'd sometimes run from those feelings. Now, I reveled in them. I let myself feel everything and then let the emotions flow through my fingers and through my instrument.

We played for over an hour, but it felt like minutes, and I was sad when it ended. But the thunderous applause perked me up, and when I walked backstage, I was still humming from the performance.

"Great job, Brynn," Ray said with a smile. "Can you believe our tour is over?"

"I can't," I said, looking at the man who had changed my life by pushing me into auditioning in the first place. Ray had also been a great support the past few months as I'd found my confidence in my role with the orchestra.