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“That was fantastic. Grenade right? By Bruno Mars? Fallon loves that song, but I’ve heard it so many times because of her, that I hate it,” she said with a laugh, “but no joke, I could listen to you play it over and over again. That was awesome.”

  “Thanks,” he said. His grin couldn’t get any bigger as he laid the violin softly down before stretching his arms out in front of him. When he heard the bell, Audrey looked over at him.

  “Food’s here, come on,” he said before heading for the door.

  “You’ll need to play that piano for me,” she said behind him.

  “Sure, why don’t you stay up here, and I’ll go get the food. We’ll eat and then I’ll play for you.”

  “Awesome,” she gushed as he made his way down the stairs quickly. Paying the delivery guy, and grabbing two more waters, Tate made his way up the stairs, thinking things were going well between them. After last night and this morning, he was nervous that Audrey’s walls would be firmly back in place, but she seemed okay. He just hoped she stayed that way. Making his way back upstairs, he entered the room to see her sitting on his piano bench, moving her fingers along the keys.

  “It’s so pretty,” she giggled as she stood.

  She came over to him to help with the bags as he nodded, “Thanks, it’s been passed down through my family for years. If I wouldn’t have played, Matilda would have gotten it.”

  And if she hadn’t died.

  “Matilda?” she asked, dropping down to the ground, crossing her legs before unpacking the bags.

  Tate dropped down beside her, looking down at the food she had placed in front of him, “Yeah, my sister.”

  “Oh! I didn’t know you had a sister, how old is she?”

  “Um, she’s uh,” his heart was in his throat. He didn’t want to talk about Matilda’s death, or his parents. He didn’t want Audrey to see that side of him yet. It was dark, and scary. “17.”

  “Cool! Does she look like you?”

  Tate nodded, “Yeah, but she’s gorgeous.”

  And Matilda was. Long, long blonde hair, big ocean-blue eyes, big puffy red lips, and pink dusted cheeks. She was the most beautiful girl ever, just like his mother.

  “That’s so sweet,” Audrey said with a grin before munching on her taco.

  Tate sat for a minute staring down at his food. He wasn’t hungry anymore, his stomach was in knots and he wanted nothing more than to tell Audrey the truth but he couldn’t. Not yet, not when his heart felt like it was ripping apart. Tate had no doubt that he was strong, but when it came to his family, the grief took over. He knew breaking down in front of the girl he wanted to be with was not a good way to convince her he was a strong man. So he would keep that to himself for right now. Wait for the right moment to tell her. When that moment would come, he had no clue, but hopefully soon.

  “What does your dad do?”

  Tate looked up, and swallow loudly before answering, “He was a doll maker.”

  “A doll maker?” she asked confused.

  Tate smiled as he nodded, “Yeah, he made these beautiful little dolls that my sister adored. You remind me a lot of them with your big bright eyes and plump cheeks. I think that’s what drew me to you that night.”

  Audrey made a face, eyeing him before saying, “Because I look like a doll?”

  “Hey, these dolls were beautiful. You should take that as a complement.”

  She laughed as she nodded, “Okay.”

  Not wanting to eat, Tate got up, and went to the piano. Before moving his fingers to the keys, he glanced down at Audrey. She was looking up at him, her taco half way to her mouth. “You aren’t going to eat?”

  “No, I want to play.”

  Audrey nodded her head, “Well please, don’t let me keep you. Play on Mr. Oooooder.”

  Chuckling, Tate began to move his fingers quickly across the keys. He was playing We Found Love by Boyce Avenue. It was his favorite at the moment, and it also held a lot of meaning for him. The song was about finding love in a hopeless place, and with the way Tate was feeling, it fit. He didn’t think he could ever find love after Elsa’s leaving him, and losing his family, but in walked Audrey Parker. He wasn’t saying he was in love, but he felt something for her. She was everything he needed, and he just needed her to figure out that he was something she needed too.

  Finishing up the song, he glanced over to find her watching him. Her knees pulled up under her chin, her eyes glossy as she watched his fingers move. When he was done, he put his hands above his head, taking in a deep breath.

  “I wish I could be like you.”

  Tate looked down at her and asked, “How so?”

  “Following your dreams. You play hockey, the ultimate man game, and you play amazing instruments, and you’re funny, outgoing, and carefree.”

  “I do what makes me happy. Life is way too short, Audrey. So short.” he said, thinking of how short Matilda’s had been.

  Audrey watched him for a moment and then nodded, “I agree.”

  “So do what makes you happy, don’t hold back.”

  Audrey nodded again, “I’ll try.”

  “Good.”

  ***

  Later that night, Tate and Audrey lay on his hanging couch watching TV. After eating all their dinner, they cleaned up their mess and headed downstairs to watch Survivor on his new DVR. He had no clue how he lived before having his DVR. It really was a lifesaver for a TV junkie. Tate was in oblivion, lying beside Audrey while watching one of his new favorite shows. For some reason, Audrey had been quiet since leaving the upstairs and it made him nervous that he had upset her, but she didn’t fail him when it came to her commentary.

  “That girl is a moron.”

  “I agree,” he laughed as he took a swig of his water.

  “She’s gonna lose, ‘cause she is dumb, who gives the idol away!? Morons! Jeez,” she said shaking her head.

  “Yup.”

  When the show ended, Tate sat up, deleting the show before looking down at her. Audrey was lying on his pillows, looking right at home. He would love to come home to her every night.

  “I have a question for you,” he said finally. He had been waiting for the right moment to ask and she looked so at home that now seemed to be a good time.

  “Sure.”

  “Why did you freeze up on me last night when I asked you about having kids?”

  Like he expected, she froze up again, looking away from his gaze. “I didn’t.”

  “You are now.”

  Audrey smiled, as she shook her head, “How do you already see through me?”

  Confused, he said, “I didn’t know I was.”

  “Yeah, you are and I don’t want to talk about it okay? Can we just watch TV?”

  Tate wanted to say no, and push through until she answered him, but he knew that would get him nowhere. She would tell him, she just needed to trust him more. Hopefully that would be soon because he needed to know why it bothered her so much that he wanted children early.

  “We are too close for comfort,” Audrey muttered.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, are you uncomfortable?” Tate asked quickly, that was the last thing he wanted to do.

  “No, that’s the problem.”

  Tate’s brow came together, “I am confused.”

  “I’m not uncomfortable at all, when I should be.”

  “Why?” he asked, still confused.

  “Because this shouldn’t be this easy, we shouldn’t be able to get along this easy, be able to connect like this when I’m not right for you.”

  Tate thought for a moment and then smiled as he said, “Sometimes it is and you are the only one who thinks you are not right for me. I don’t think that at all.”

  “Tate…” she groaned.

  “Yeah, Audrey, I know. Friends.”

  But that needed to change.

  Chapter 14

  Don’t make cupcakes while I am gone, and if you do, please make sure they are gross.

  A stupid little grin sat on Audrey’s fac