The gallery buzzed with critics, students, artists, and influencers. My chest almost burst with pride when someone praised Cameron’s work or asked him questions.
“He’s amazing,” Max murmured next to me.
I smiled. “That he is.” The rest of Rough Harmony had turned up, gathered around Cameron and I, hovering like a protective cordon, offering support with every look, every word, every gesture.
I’d finally met Raquel, and it was obvious from watching her and Cameron together that she was good for him.
She’d also taken me aside and told me not to hurt him again. I promised her I’d do my best, and that any hurt wouldn’t be intentional. She’d studied me for a moment before nodding.
It would have to do.
Gary was there too, beaming as he watched Cameron pose for photos with the portrait. I got asked to pose too, and the first time it happened, my heart hammered, but I stood next to the painting, my head held high.
Gary smiled. “My dad has a book at home that sums you up perfectly right now.”
I arched my eyebrows. “I’m not sure I want to know.”
His eyes gleamed. “It’s called ‘Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway.’”
Yeah, I’d take that as a compliment.
Cameron nudged me. “There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
A well-dressed woman, possibly in her fifties, approached us. She held her hand out.
“You must be Theo.” She smiled. “AKA Cameron’s muse. I’m Nora Taylor, Cameron’s tutor.” She glanced at the portrait, then at me. “He really captured you, didn’t he?”
I smiled back. “Just don’t ask me to strip off to prove how accurately he did that,” I quipped.
Nora chuckled. “That wouldn’t be my first choice.” She gazed at the group. “Is this this a cappella group Cameron has told me about?”
Max puffed out his chest. “Rough Harmony, in the flesh.” The others beamed.
Her eyes widened. “Would your group consider performing something? Just one piece? This is after all an event celebrating creativity. I don’t think such a performance would be out of place.”
I froze, but Max’s grin was immediate. “I don’t know about thegroupperforming, but I’m sureTheohas something he could sing.”
I shot him a murderous glare, and he winked.
Cameron squeezed my hand. “You don’t have to,” he whispered.
I looked at him, then at the painting. That was me, bare, no mask. And then it hit me.
I took a deep breath. “I want to. And Max is right—I do have a song.”
Cameron’s eyes grew large, and his breathing hitched.
I barely heard Nora announcing my performance as I pulled my phone from my pocket and scrolled to find the lyrics I’d written. A hush fell in the gallery, and my pulse quickened.
I cleared my throat. “This is a song called ‘Naked Note’.” I gestured to the portrait. “Which is appropriate, given the circumstances.” Laughter rippled through the assembled guests. Then I met Cameron’s gaze. “And I wrote it for the artist.”
Fuck, the way he stared at me…
The room was quiet. Max and the others formed a semicircle, me at the heart of it, and I knew they were trying to read the lyrics over my shoulders.
I inhaled, then let the words ring out.
[Verse 1]