Chapter 65 Christianna
Chapter sixty-five
Christianna
I should probably be embarrassed to be curled up across their laps. Instead, I’m comforted.
They surrounded me. Took care of me when I couldn't do it myself. And they did it without stripping me of anything. This is comfort
I can’t remember having this feeling since losing Paw.
I feel the tension still coiled in Remy. He wants me to upgrade the security. I understand why. I’m just not ready to hand that decision over yet.
I shift, preparing to stand, and realize I am still wearing my sleep shorts.
Heat creeps up my neck.
“If you will excuse me,” I say, clearing my throat, “I am going to change into something more appropriate for company.”
The Earls nod.
Together.
I hesitate for half a second, cataloging it. Filing it away.
I catch Meg watching them from beneath her lashes.
That goes in the mental file too. Along with asking her about the different last name.
I stand and head for the hallway before anyone can say anything else. I give Meg wide eyes behind everyone’s back, and she immediately hurries after me.
The Notes realize we have escaped, and follow us up the stairs, nails clicking out a staccato rhythm.
“What happened?” I hiss as we enter my bedroom.
Meg catches me up as I change.
Poor Rasmussen. What an awful way to die.
Why would someone go to this trouble?
Is it to hurt me? The opera? The Earls? I can’t imagine Rasmussen making enough of an impression to get this type of anger. He was so bland and easy to overlook.
Two birds, one stone?
It makes no sense.
As I put my hair up, I level a look at her. “So, your name. What’s up with that? I had no idea you were using something else. I could have accidentally messed it up for you.”
She rolls her eyes. “I love Mom, I do. But she’s a legend in the dance world. Madame Geroux. I didn’t want to be tied to her and called a nepo baby.”
“I get that, but you aren’t dancing. This is admin. Do you think it would carry over?”
She snorts. “Oh, Meg just had to throw Mommy’s name around to make sure she got the senior admin position,” she says in a high falsetto.
Then she drops back into her normal register.
“Never mind that they couldn’t put up with those two.
My title might say Remy’s assistant, but I handle almost everything Erik should be doing.
And frankly, I think it’s wrong to expect him to do that work.
His talent and focus are the music. What I’ve heard is brilliant. ”
She pauses, then continues, quieter. “Him trying to correspond with everyone who wants a piece of him is ridiculous. Remy gets that. The potential patrons don’t.”
She meets my eyes. “I’m only telling you this because I think you understand their dynamic after being around them a bit. And you both translate emotions into music. It’s your way to communicate.”
I shake my head. “Music is demanding, but it doesn’t change what it expects from me.
If I give it my all, it takes it. I can be direct with it.
People, not so much. You have to decide if they’re trustworthy, and most don’t want to know you beyond a surface level.
Erik seems to see that too. He gives effort only where it’s warranted.
You’ve earned his trust. Remy, obviously.
But music has never failed him. That I understand. ”
Meg nods. “Like me and dance. I just don’t get the chance as much anymore. Between the long hours and not wanting to give myself away. If I dance at Mom’s, she goes full Madame on me.”
She exhales, soft and wistful. “I just want to dance for enjoyment and love now.”
“Why don’t you use the back room near the guest house?” I say. “It has a side door. The floors are perfect. Maple on a sprung subfloor, according to the house information. I could put in mirrors and a barre. You could use it anytime you feel like it.”
It feels like an obvious use of the space.
“How did I miss that?” Meg asks. “The floors were gorgeous, but I didn’t know about the subfloor.”
“I think it was when you stepped out to make a call. I asked about it because the maple was such a different look from the rest of the house. The agent said the previous owner’s daughter went through a ballet phase, so they remodeled it.
She lost interest before they finished, so they left it looking like a formal room. ”
Meg throws her arms around me, and I catch her in a hug.
“I could cry,” she says. “I won’t, but I could.”
I hug her back. “So. The Earls?”
She stiffens. “We aren’t talking about it. It’s a crush I refuse to acknowledge.”
I bite my lip as she pulls away. “So now isn’t the time to ask if you think they do everything in perfect synchronicity?”
Her face turns bright red. “It’s hard not to wonder, right?”
I let out a small laugh. “I have my own two problems. Speaking of, let’s head down and see what they’ve decided.”
I pause and turn back to her. “Honest answers only?”
She blinks, startled. “Always, what?”
I chip at my thumbnail. “I feel really comfortable with them, but I don’t want to give the wrong impression. I’m not, I don’t know, and it’s happening so fast.” I look up, knowing she will understand what I can’t put into words.
“They have been quietly orbiting you for months. Erik sees you, well hears you in a way no one else on earth can, and Remy,” her smile is soft. “He was your first crush, it’s not too fast. It’s years delayed because of life circumstances.”
“Do you think they…” I bite my lip.
“What? Oh, oh,” she says as realization hits. “Maybe? It’s hard to say. I know they will respect any boundary you give though. They've proven that. Although they've also shown if you give them an inch they take a bayou mile.”
I nod in agreement and head to the Notes.
The pups are already curled back up on the bed. They seem to love curling up together. I kiss each of their noses before heading back downstairs.