“Yup.”
He shoots me a look.“That’s mature.”
“Says the guy who butchered his own song just to get my attention.”
At least he has the good sense to look chagrined.
I turn the doorknob, but he moves closer, not touching me this time, just…there.Too close.Too much.
“Anna,” he murmurs.
It’s careful.Like he’s afraid I’ll bolt.
I hate that italmostmakes me stop.That for a fraction of a second, I feel it—something small, something sharp, catching against my ribs.
His voice is softer when he speaks again.“Please, just let me?—”
I don’t let him finish.
I push into the office and shut the door behind me so fast, the frame rattles.
A beat of silence.
Then, on the other side?—
Joel sighs.
Not dramatic.Not exaggerated.Just… tired.
A pause.
And then, his voice, quiet through the wood.“I guess I’ll see you later, Ace.”
I close my eyes, back pressed against the door.
I wait.Listening.
His footsteps don’t retreat right away.
For a second I think maybe he’s going to knock again.
But then, finally, his steps fade down the hall and back toward the great room.I hear him shuffling around and then the front door clicks shut.
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, my heartbeat throbbing in my ears.
And then I sit at my desk and stare at my screen, doing everything in my powernotto think about the way his voice sounded when he said my name.Any of the damn times.
I shake my head, hard, and roll my shoulders back, forcing myself to focus.
This is better.
Him leaving is better.
I don’t have to deal with his presence, his stupid smirks, or the way his voice keeps doing that low, careful thing like he’s trying toreachme.
Nope.None of that.He’s off to play rockstar.
And now, I canwork.