As the notes faded away, I shook myself out of the hypnosis she’d put me in and crossed the rest of the way to the door. I knocked. Silence greeted me. Then footsteps.

The door opened, and Shay appeared, wisps of hair falling free of her braid to frame her face. She was a work of art in that moment. Wildly disheveled and looking just a little annoyed. “Brody. What do you need?”

My gaze drifted over her shoulder to a violin case on the coffee table. “That was a hell of a performance.”

A bit of the color in her cheeks fled. “Could you hear me from the house?”

“No. But I wish I could.”

“Oh.”

My mouth quirked. Oh was all she had to say. “Not one for praise, are you?”

Her lips thinned. “My music is for me. I don’t need praise.”

Her words hit me, each one a blow to the chest. That was exactly it. The thing I needed to get back. To create for no one but myself. Not Lara. Not fans and followers. Critics and collectors. Not Joe Schmoe on the street. For me. “Have dinner with me.”

The words were out before I could stop them. Shay stiffened. “I, um—”

“We can discuss responsibilities. Salary. Expectations. Everything we’ve been putting off. We could take the boat and head to Shelter. Eat out.” I hadn’t explored much of the other islands yet. But being popular tourist destinations, there had to be decent food.

She shifted from one foot to the other. “Do you mind if we stay here? It’s been a long day already. I can cook.”

I waved her off. “I’ve still got a fridge full of things you made. Why don’t we heat up some of that veggie chili?”

Shay nodded slowly. “Sure. I baked some fresh rosemary bread this afternoon. I can bring that.”

“I wondered what smelled so good. That sounds perfect. How about six?”

She tugged on the sleeve of her t-shirt. “Six works.”

“See you then.” I turned and headed back up the hill, a new idea for a painting taking root in my mind.

7

Shay

My fingers flew across my keyboard, the tightness in my muscles releasing a fraction when I saw that E was online. I opened up a new chat.

Phoenix26: What does one wear to dinner with their boss?

I nibbled on my fingernail as I waited for E’s reply.

Evergreen13: The enigma hottie?

I tipped my head back and groaned.

Pheonix26: I never should’ve told you what he looked like.

She would never drop the fact that Brody was handsome. Once she sank her claws into that juicy little morsel, it was hers forever.