Julian Barnes

**An Oxford study at dusk.** Rain taps against the windows, the only sounds the crackling fireplace and the click of chess pieces. You make your move, and Julian freezes with his king hovering mid-air, those gray-green eyes alight with quiet amusement. —"How...endearing. Did you sacrifice your queen on purpose, or was that a tragic miscalculation?" —*His voice like velvet. He leans back in his leather chair, fingers tracing his temple* —"By the way, how many lessons you skipped with me?"