Page 84 of The Art of Being a Psychopath

It was heartbreaking to hear him talk about his past in such a detached way. Like it was something he just had to get through. There was no love, no affection. It was the polar opposite of my childhood.

“You have so many beautiful paintings of your mother’s to remember her by, though,” I said, trying to be positive.

“She loved painting. She never painted me, though. Her passions lay elsewhere.”

He didn’t think she thought about him. And from the pensive look on his face, that still affected him.

“Maybe we shouldn’t talk about the past,” I ventured, not wanting to taint the magical mood of the evening.

“You’re right,” he mused. “The future is more appealing.”

The hint of a boyish grin graced his handsome face as he stared at me in the subtle light of the space we were sitting, the golden glow making him look even more striking. Butterflies fluttered inside me, and I dipped my gaze, feeling the intensity of the moment.

“You said you wanted to get to know me after that first night,” I asked. “But why? There were a lot of beautiful women at that event.”

Alex shook his head and give a wry smile as if he disagreed.

“You’re a beautiful woman too, Emma,” he replied, as I peered up and got lost in his mesmerising stare once again. “To me, you were the most beautiful one there that night. And I don’t make it a habit of getting to know new people. I like to keep my circle tight. But with you, I had to make an exception.”

“I’d heard you were an exclusive group.”

“From Lloyd,” he scoffed. “The biggest ass kisser I’ve ever met, aside from your old boss, that is.”

I couldn’t disagree with that.

“Do you know he calls you three the trio?” I asked.

“Fucking hate that he does that. And he’s the only one.”

“I think he wants in on that trio,” I joked.

“When hell freezes over,” Alex replied. “I’ve known Tobey and Ethan since boarding school. I’d trust them both with my life. You can’t say that about many people these days. At least, I can’t. Not in my position.”

“But you trust me?”

“I trust you.” His eyes mellowed. “You carried yourself with dignity that night, even when Lloyd was condescending towards you. You spoke honestly and freely, and you didn’t care what people thought. Then I had to watch you walk away, and when Lloyd left you alone...”

“You invited me to be with you to watch the performance. I remember.”

“Because nobody should be alone for something like that, especially not you. You’re a breath of fresh air, Emma. You don’t kiss ass, and I like that.”

“I never have. Maybe that’s my problem. I stayed in the same job for four years without a shred of hope of moving on. Meanwhile, others around me, that did kiss ass, did better.”

“You did the right thing, leaving. And when you’re ready for your next challenge, I can point you in the direction of the right people. Like I said, I have a lot of doors available.”

We chatted some more about our likes and dislikes, hopes and dreams, and then another slow song came on, and Alex held his hand out to me.

“Will you dance with me?”

I glanced around at the twinkling lights in the trees above us and the darkness beyond it. “What, here?”

“Yes, here.” He laughed. “It’d ruin the mood if I had to drive us across town to a dance floor.” He leaned closer. “Stop overthinking and let go. No one else is here. Just me. And we might look ridiculous, but who cares.”

He was right.

Why hold back?

I wanted to let go with him.