I nod, cheek rubbing the fabric of his shirt.
“It’s beating for you, little bird,” he murmurs, holding me closer. “That can be our music.”
“But you can’t hear mine,” I whisper, voice cracking.
He pauses. “I can hear it, Phoebe. I hear it in my soul. I set my life by its every beat.”
My eyes are glassy with unshed tears when I lift my head to look at him. I don’t say anything as I stare into his eyes; neither does he. But I know, down to the marrow of my bones, that Nathaniel Knox has just told me he loves me.
And then his lips come down and he’s kissing me against the most beautiful backdrop I’ve ever seen in my life, but not even a view like that can hold my attention when I’m standing in the arms of the man I love.
Chapter Twenty-Six
I confess: I don’t like pumpkin spice lattes.
There, I said it. Take me away, officer.
Phoebe West, in a worrisome brush with the law.
Now, the party don’t start till I walk in…
“Is someone singing Ke$ha in the elevator?” Gemma asks, eyes wide.
Our group has dwindled to four: Nate, Chase, Gemma, and me. Lila and Martin bailed thirty minutes ago because Lila has to “get to bed early.” Something tells me, she won’t be going alone.
Insert eye roll here.
It’s late, almost midnight, and the four of us are scattered across the sectional, counting down the minutes until it’s officially my birthday. Boo is snoring on one of the couch cushions, totally exhausted by the events of the last few days.
“Parker!” I exclaim, recognizing his voice as the elevator doors chime open. He’s grinning wide as he steps into the penthouse.
“Sweet P, you call this a party?” He crosses the space toward us, eyeing the few remaining cupcakes and semi-deflated balloons with amusement. “I thought you were turning twenty-four, not eighty four.”
“Hardy har har,” I mutter, standing to give him a hug before turning to face the rest of the group. “Gemma and Chase, this is my brother Parker.” I smile. “Parker, meet my friends Gemma and Chase. This is their place, so try not to act like a total barbarian for the next few minutes, okay?”
My joke falls totally flat. Not even one pity chuckle.
“Jeeze, tough crowd,” I murmur.
I soon realize no one in the room is even paying attention to me. Nate and Chase are occupied, staring from Parker to Gemma and back with wary eyes. My gaze lands on my friend and I almost gasp when I see how pale she is. Her skin is clammy white, her pretty blue eyes are wide with dismay and fixed firmly on my brother. I’m shocked when I glance his way and see he’s glaring at her with vehemence.
“Thisis your friend Gemma?” he clips out, jaw tight.
My heart starts to pound. I’ve never seen him like this — so full of rage. He’s not the type to take an instant dislike to anyone. I can’t imagine what made his mood shift so quickly from playful to pissed.
“What’s happening here?” I ask, totally at a loss. “Do you two know each other?”
Parker laughs, but it’s bitter and cold. “Know her? No. Knowofher? Yeah, you could say that.”
Gemma looks at me and her eyes flash with sadness and worry.
“Gemma?” I prompt.
She remains quiet – which is totally unlike her.
Chase has one arm wrapped around her shoulders, and is staring at his girlfriend with concern. Parker’s so busy glaring, he won’t make eye contact with me. When I meet Nate’s stare, though, I see cautious resignation.
“You know something.” I pin him with a hard look. “What the hell is going on, Nate?”