What is going on with her? I wonder if she’s going to tell me she’s having twins? Yikes! Has the pressure finally gotten to her? Even though the lights in my bedroom are already on, she flips the switch twice.
I blink at her. “Is that a new ritual of yours, or something?”
Lauren makes a face. “It’s a pregnancy thing.”
Okay. Being pregnant obviously turns women nutty. “What did you want to talk to me about?” I ask her.
“I wanted to ask you if you’re happy,” she blurts out. She paces in front of the French doors. “Because you don’t seem to be. You’re putting up a good front, but I can tell. Are you regretting breaking up with Zane?”
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Yes,” I sigh. I drop down onto my bed. “I miss him so much, it hurts. I—I think I’m going to call him. I know it’s probably not going to work out, and I’ll end up getting my heart shattered into, like, a million pieces. But I love him. I’d rather have a piece of him for even just a little while, then nothing, never at all. I’ll just—I don’t care, I’ll just deal with it.”
Lauren stares out the window during my rant. “Are you sure he’s worth it?”
“Yes,” I say. “He is.”
Finally, she turns. Smiling at me, she throws open the French doors. “Let’s hope you’re right.”
“What…?”
The sounds of a guitar playing float in through the doors. Are those my pot-smoking cousins? If so, they’re awfully good. Frowning, I follow the melody out to the balcony. It’s hauntingly beautiful, yet achingly sexy at the same time.
My room overlooks the gardens below. I squint into the darkness, trying to find the source of the music. A tall figure suddenly steps into the light cast by my room.
I gasp, hands flying to my mouth.
It’s Zane!
He’s strumming the guitar with expert ease. And he’s looking up at me with those famous azure eyes that seem to glow in the half-light. Our gazes tangle and lock.
Then he starts to sing, in that amazing raspy voice that I’ve listened and dreamed to for so long. He’s singing to me.
Standing on the edge of a broken lie
Trying to find my reason; can’t find my way
Left myself in the fall
I lost my way
Can you help me find my way home
You’re the breath I couldn’t take
My burning truth
Life of glitter; everyone’s fake
Your hair across my pillow
Your skin against mine
In your eyes is where my peace lies
You are my way home
The garden is suddenly illuminated with thousands of twinkle lights, revealing Zane’s band members set up behind him. Drums, guitars, keyboard, amps…the whole deal. They join in with Zane’s guitar, lifting the song and powering it into the atmosphere.
So tell me you love me
I need to hear you say
You forgive me
When everything's golden lies; tell me
You see me
You need me
You are my way back to me
Back to me
Inside my soul there lives a war
You are my war
In your grace is everything I’d fight for
Say my name
Bring me back to the place I need to be
You said goodbye so how could it be that you're still here with me
You move through me
You speak to me
Your face is the only one I see
I just wanna come home to you
So tell me you love me
I need to hear you say
You forgive me
When everything's golden lies; tell me
You see me
You need me
You are my way back to me
Back to me
Back to me
Say you still love me
Forgive me
Move through me
Speak to me
Bring me back to the place I need to be
Back to me
Back to me
You are my way back to me
Please come back to me
Zane plays the last few stunning notes on his guitar, moving closer so he’s almost directly under me. Distantly, I am aware of cheering and wild applause. I didn’t realize…I was so focused on him, I didn’t notice the crowds of people standing out there, avidly watching this very private moment.
I don’t care. All I can see is Zane. I see him, not the rock star—every girl’s dream. I see the guy who laughed with me, fought with me, held my hand, and loved me. There he is, looking up at me like I’m the only thing that matters.
I have to get to him. I throw one leg over the railing. Lauren quickly grabs my arm to stop me. Laughing, Zane holds up a hand in a stop sign.
“I’ll come to you,” he calls.
He flips his guitar over so that the strap holds it in place across his back. He looks so sexy like that, my knees go weak. I watch breathlessly as he deftly scales the tree growing near my balcony. The next thing I know, he’s balanced on the railing, right in front of me.