As the laughter swirls around me, I tell myself it’s fine.It’s just one night.
And yet, the thought of stepping into Nocté for a night of singing makes my chest ache with something I can’t name.
CHAPTER6
Joel
The morning sunlight spills across the kitchen, catching on the stainless steel appliances and bouncing off the ceramic mug in my hand.I’ve been up for a while, the house still and quiet in a way that’s oddly calming.It’s almost…nice.
Last night, though?Not so quiet.
Anna came home late, definitely not sober, and for a solid fifteen minutes, I thought I’d accidentally stepped into an alternate reality.She’d leaned against the counter, a crooked smile on her face, and made actual, borderline-friendly conversation.Something about “not all rockstars being terrible”—though I’m sure she threw in a dig about my ego.Then she stumbled off to bed, leaving me standing there like an idiot with no idea what had just happened.
Now, I’m leaning against the counter, sipping coffee, replaying her slurred words in my head, and wondering if maybe—just maybe—there’s more to Anna Chang than a permanent scowl and cutting remarks.Not that I’d tell her that.I’d be likely to get my head bitten off.
The sound of shuffling feet pulls me out of my thoughts.
Here we go.
Anna trudges into the kitchen, her hair an uncharacteristic mess and her sweatshirt hanging off one shoulder.She squints at the light like it’s personally offended her, then glares at me like I’m its accomplice.
“You’re… awake,” she mutters, her voice rough with sleep.Or maybe regret.Hard to tell.
“And good morning to you, too,” I reply, raising my mug in mock cheer.“Rough night?”
She ignores me, heading straight for the coffee maker.“Don’t talk to me until I’ve had caffeine.”
I watch as she fumbles with the cupboard door, her movements slower and less precise than usual.
“Didn’t know book club meetings got that wild,” I tease, taking a sip from my own mug.
Her hand freezes on the coffee pot, and she turns her head slowly, her glare sharpening.“How do you know about book club?”
I shrug, smirking.“Uh, we talked last night.Something about romance novels and… “
Her cheeks flush, but not from the wine this time.“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you don’t,” I say, leaning against the counter.“Must’ve been dreaming about me then.”
Her scoff is immediate.“Clearly.”
“Maybe I don’t have to dream, Ace,” I tease, watching as she grabs a mug and fills it.“You were surprisingly nice last night.I didn’t know you had it in you.”
“Don’t call me that.”She stares into her coffee like it holds the answers to the universe, then mutters, “I was drunk.Doesn’t count.”
“Are you sure about that?”I ask, biting back a laugh.“I’ve still got some time here with you.Could it mean you’ll be drinking more often?Because I’ve got to say, drunk Anna is way more fun than the sober version.”
She raises the mug to her lips, takes a long sip, and then sets it down with a decisive clink.“Sober Anna is what you’re stuck with, Price.And trust me, she’s fun is not in her operating system.”
I grin into my coffee, unable to resist.“Well, maybe it’s time for a software update.I hear fun’s all the rage these days.”
Her eyes narrow over the rim of her mug, but the corner of her mouth twitches—just enough to make me wonder if she’s fighting a smile.“Don’t push it.”
Oh, I’ll push it.
It’s strange, really.I’d expected this arrangement to be tense, awkward at best, but there’s something about getting under Anna’s skin that feels...familiar.Comfortable, almost.And yeah, I kind of like it.
“Don’t worry, sober Anna,” I say, leaning against the counter.“I’m a simple guy.I’ll take scowls over silence.Keeps things interesting.”