Ste''s expression rxed. "Alright."


    She turned her head, her gazending on Joshua, who stood quietly nearby.


    They''d arrived together, after all-it would feel rude not to invite him along. But then again, it was Neville''s birthday, and showing up with Joshua in tow felt awkward. The two barely knew each other.


    Ste hesitated, uncertain, when Neville''s deep, maic voice cut through the moment.


    "Joshua, I''m taking Star out for dinner. I''ll see her home myself tonight."


    He didn''t bother to hide the hint of finality in his words.


    Joshua''s tone was neutral, betraying nothing. "In that case, happy birthday, Mr. Connolly."


    Neville twirled the keychain in his hand with a careless air. "Thanks. I have to say, getting a gift from Star herself on my birthday really does make it a good one."


    Joshua''s eyes flicked to the keychain dangling between Neville''s fingers, and his own hand tightened at his side.


    "Then I won''t intrude on your celebration any longer," he said.


    Neville gave a lopsided smile. "Come on, Star. Let''s go."


    Ste nodded goodbye to Joshua and left with Neville.


    Joshua stayed where he was, watching the two of them walk away. He didn''t move for a long time, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever. Yet Simone, for reasons she couldn''t quite exin, had the impression his mood was far from light.


    She stepped up beside him. "Joshua, I haven''t properly thanked you for today="


    Her words were cut short by his crisp, clear voice.


    "You once saved me. Helping you was the least I could do."


    Simone''s eyes flickered with uncertainty. "But...I can''t remember what happened back then. What if it wasn''t me?"


    Joshua''s answer was cool and even. "If I made a mistake, that''s on me, not you."


    Simone was just beginning to rx when Joshua suddenly changed tack, his voice tinged with a rare note of frustration.


    "Still, it''s entirely possible I''ve got the wrong person. Just matching a single earring isn''t exactly proof. I should have been more careful."


    Simone''s smile faltered. "You''re right."


    Joshua went


    went on,


    "The


    person I''m


    looking for my rescuer-she yed the violin beautifully. She performed ''Moonlight'' that night, and I''ll never forget how moving it was. I haven''t heard Miss Lerman y, so it''s hard to be sure."


    Simone''s eyes lit up. "If you have time one of these days, I could y it for you."


    She''d been practicing ''Moonlight''


    to her, and she''d yed the piece Aurora before. Picking itup again hadn''t been difficult


    Joshua seemed impatient to solve the mystery. "Why wait? How about tonight? I managed to leave work early-who knows when I''ll have the chance again?"


    Simone agreed at once. "Alright. Let me just run home to change and grab my violin."


    "Sounds good," Joshua said.


    Back at the party, Simone found Aurora and asked her toe along to the dressing room. As they walked, Simone filled her in on everything that had just happened.


    "Aurora, it worked."


    Aurora gave her a knowing look, sensing a subtle shift in Simone''s demeanor.


    "He...passed your little test?" she asked.


    Simone nodded, unable to hide the


    faint smile tugging at her lips. "Seymour is supposed to be some kind of tough guy, but up against Joshua-even with a knife-he didn''tst more than three moves."