Tasteful Darkness

Chapter 29

Balendin - Now

After I got the wedding suit, which—for reasons I still don't understand—Johnson didn't ask for payment of, I insisted on bringing Peter to the bookstore as a thank you. I also wanted to bring him because I finished his book and figured it was time to return it.

I've been holding A Silent Life in my coat the entire day. With every step it seems to grow heavier and heavier.

I don't know how to feel about the ending. It concluded well—the main character reunited with her childhood friend and the two of them fell in love—but I didn't want it to end. I loved seeing the story through Peter's eyes, especially how much he loved the ending. There were dozens of annotations.

But one note particularly stuck with me. It was a small note written by someone other than Peter on the very last page.

Find me after you've finished reading, it read, and tell me everything.

It was short, but it never left my mind, even days after finishing.

"I haven't seen Amelie in a while," Peter says as we approach the bookstore.

I look at him. "You remembered her name."

He smiles. "Of course I did. It suits her more than what I used to call her."

"That is true."

"It's good that we're going, anyway," he says as the bookstore comes into view. "I believe I left something there a few days ago."

I play off my anxiety with a smile. "I'll help you look, if you want."

"That would be much appreciated."

We enter the bookstore, and I'm surprised when no one is here to greet us. Peter doesn't seem to notice and makes his way towards the back. I follow after him, only to pause when I hear a quiet sound to my right.

Amelie struts towards me, her tail flickering. I immediately step towards her and scoop her off the floor.

I didn't realize just how much I missed her until she's in my arms.

I go to the back and see Peter rummaging through a pile of books. After carefully setting Amelie down, I step up behind him.

"You might have left it in the front," I suggest, trying to get him to move. "Maybe you set it down before buying something?"

"I doubt it," he says. "But I don't have any better ideas."

He starts walking, pauses to pet Amelie, then disappears towards the front.

After making sure he's out of sight, I slip the book from my pocket and place it in between two couch cushions. Something inside me aches at the sight of letting go of the book, but it belongs to Peter, and he deserves to have it back before—

"Peter," I call out, cutting off my own thoughts. "Is this it?"

He immediately appears from around the corner, his eyes drawn to where I'm pointing. He walks over and leans down, taking the book from its place. His shoulders sag in relief.

"Yes," he says, looking up at me. "Thank you."

I note the way he looks at the book, as if he's holding his own heart within his hands.

"Who gave that to you?" I ask.

I swear I catch him wince. "Someone from a long time ago." He nearly chokes on the words. "It doesn't matter—I'm just glad to have it back."

I don't press. "How am I getting to the reception tomorrow?" I ask, hoping he appreciates the change in conversation.

He blinks twice, as if resetting his emotions. "A carriage will be sent to your flat, just make sure you're in it."