Chapter 16

Over the next few days, Clarisse spent most of her time practicing the competition piece with Zachary. A subtle chemistry had begun to grow between them. One evening, after they wrapped up a practice session, Zachary did not leave right away. Instead, he stepped closer to her, narrowing the space between them until she caught the faint scent of cedarwood on him. He paused, his eyes fixing on the soft curve of her profile. His voice dropped low, hesitant, but sincere as he called out, "Clarisse." As if sensing what was coming, Clarisse's heart skipped a beat. Her fingers curled instinctively as she looked up at him. "From the first time I heard you play, I was drawn in," he said. "I kept wondering—what kind of life had this girl lived to play with such sorrow and still, with such strength?" He looked at her with a gaze that was open and intense, yet there was a concealed infatuation within. "There's something in your music," Zachary went on. "A story, a fight, and a light that ref