Page 19 of Symphony for Lies (Tangled Truths #2)

I frowned when he grabbed my wrist, his face practically glowing with excitement.

“You didn’t tell me you had a boyfriend,” he teased, waggling his brows.

That was so random. I couldn’t quite catch up to the situation. “What?”

“Don’t play innocent now!” He grinned. “There’s a very attractive guy waiting for you in the lobby.”

When I stared at him blankly, Robert sighed dramatically. “Fine, fine! Keep your secrets. But damn, Amelia, I was not expecting that.”

Shaking him off, I walked toward the waiting area.And there wasZane,sitting on one of the chairs and looking completely at ease. I couldn’t help but stare as he effortlessly charmed an elderly woman beside him while petting her kitten.

It was a sight that could make anyone’s heart skip a beat.

The man looked infuriatingly good, dressed in black jeans and a fitted sweater, with his dark hair neatly pushed back to reveal the sharp angles of his flawless face.

His easy smile, the way his fingers stroked gently over the kitten’s fur…

Every part of it seemed crafted to be unfairly mesmerizing.

Even the older woman was blushing, gazing at him with an affectionate smile.

Why does he always look ridiculously gorgeous when my entire world feels like it’s falling apart?

“Zane?” I finally called out, breaking free from whatever spell he had unknowingly cast.

At the sound of my voice, his smile stretched wider.“Amelia, there you are.” He stood up right away, briefly glancing at the elderly woman. “It was a pleasure meeting you, ma’am, but I’ve got to go now.” He turned back to me and winked.

I would be lying if I said my heart didn’t skip a beat for a second. “What are you doing here?”

“Did you forget our date?” he teased. I tilted my head up to meet his gaze as he hovered over me. “That hurts, you know.”

“Oh… right,” I mumbled, finally remembering.

Truthfully, I had forgotten. I had been ready to go straight home, considering everything that happened during the day.

Zane arched a brow, studying my face carefully. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

He didn’t look convinced. His eyes scanned my expression as if trying to see through me.

I turned away before he could read me any further.

“Anyway, have you eaten yet?”

“I’m not hungry. Can we just get the book?” I avoided looking at him, keeping my voice neutral.

There was a beat of silence.

“Ouch,” I barely heard him mutter.

It was so quiet I wasn’t sure if I had imagined it.

With a sigh, I motioned for him to follow me outside. I needed fresh air.

He walked beside me without a word, matching my pace as we exited the building.

When we reached his motorbike, Zane placed the helmet on my head, fastening the straps securely.“Don’t worry. I’ll drive slow and careful.”

That should’ve reassured me, but it was unsettling how natural his touch was becoming and how easily my body seemed to trust him.

As the engine roared to life, I wrapped my arms loosely around his waist, careful not to press too close to his back.

Still, his warmth seeped through his sweater, and his scent, clean, rich, and undeniably Zane, mixed with the cool air.

The ride should have been uneventful, but I quickly realized we weren’t heading toward the Cole mansion.

Confused, I glanced around, watching the scenery blur past us.

Where are we going?

Minutes later, Zane pulled up in front of a modern house.

Unlike his parents' grand, old-fashioned estate, the place was contemporary, with tall glass windows, a paved driveway linked with trimmed hedges, and a minimalistic aesthetic that somehow still looked inviting.

He stopped in front of the garage, killing the engine.

I hesitated.

He pulled off his helmet, making his hair slightly tousled.“Aren’t you getting off?”

“Aren’t we supposed to be going to the mansion?”

Zane smirked. “This is my place. My books are here.” He turned slightly, undoing my helmet with smooth movements. His thumb lightly brushed my cheek.

I swallowed, blinking at him.

That familiar, amused grin tugged at his lips.“Relax. I don’t bite.”

I exhaled sharply, getting off the bike.

He followed suit, stretching his arms. “You’re not mad, are you?”

I shook my head. “No. I just wasn’t expecting it.”

“Good,” he said smoothly. “Come on.” Without a warning, he took my hand. His grip was firm but gentle as he led me toward the entrance.

The second we stepped inside, I froze to take in the interior.

The open layout was stunning. The living room was spacious, lined with towering bookshelves full of old, worn-out manuscripts and pristine hardcovers.

A grand piano sat in the center of the room, reminding me vaguely of his parents’ mansion, and glass walls provided a perfect view of the garden outside.

“You’re the first—”

“Don’t even dare say I’m the first woman you’ve brought here.”

He laughed. “Actually, I was about to say that.” Amusement flickered in his dark eyes. “Unless we count my mother, of course.”

I slipped off my shoes instinctively, not wanting to track in any dirt. Zane noticed and handed me a pair of house slippers. They were slightly too big for me, but I slid them on anyway.

He reached for my jacket next, slipping it off my shoulders. His movements were smooth, too natural for someone who shouldn’t be doing such things.He hung my coat near the entrance and gestured for me to follow him to a particular shelf.

Displayed on it was a carefully curated selection of works spanning centuries, from ancient music theories to modern research on sound psychology.

“Wow.”