"No." His voice was firm, his amber eyes steady on mine. "This is me trying to fix something I broke a long time ago."
"You can't fix it," I said, the words coming out softer than I intended. "Some things stay broken."
Kyle took another step into the room, and this time I didn't back away. "Maybe. But I have to try." He glanced at the violin case. "You should play again. Not for anyone else. For you."
I looked down at the instrument, its polished surface reflecting the morning light. "I don't know if I can."
"You were just playing when I came in," he pointed out.
"That's different. I was alone."
"You could play for me sometime," he said, and immediately held up his hands when he saw my expression. "Or not. Just...don't let what happened take this from you, too."
The gentleness in hi
