Gemma putsher hands over my fidgeting ones. “Are you always this nervous around him?”
I make fists with my hands but don’t answer. I’mnotusually nervous around Austin anymore, but today is different.
“Are you about to get the hiccups?” Gemma asks. “I guess it’s a good thing he’s coming.”
I elbow her just as Austin and Tori appear at the bottom of the Metro staircase. I force a huge smile at them. It’s my way of telling them and my body and the entire world that everything is completely fine, and it’s a normal day in Paris without the threat of anything looming overhead.
We chat for a couple of minutes, then Tori and Gemma leave to check out a café. Never mind the fact Gemma and I ate massive croissants half an hour ago.
“You want to walk or sit?” Austin asks.
“Walk.” Or run, maybe. That’s an adult way to handle things,right? Avoid the person so they can’t break up with you before you’re even together?
“Maybe we can go down there, so it’s a bit less crowded?” Austin indicates the banks of the river where Gemma and I were sitting.
Everything he says makes me more nervous. Why do we need privacy?
I know. He doesn’t want to humiliate me in front of a thousand tourists. Very chivalrous of him.
We make our way down the stairs, and Austin looks over at me once we reach the bottom.
“You’re quiet,” he says.
“Just enjoying the fresh air,” I say, inhaling deeply. I cough when the smell of urine fills my lungs.Ah, Paris.
Austin chuckles, then grabs my hand, which is fidgeting again. He cuts in front of me, so I’m forced to stop. “Are you okay?”
“Can you just get it over with?” I say, unable to keep the pleading out of my voice. “I hate suspense.”
His brows pull together. “Get what over with?”
“You’re breaking things off between us, right?”
His eyes search mine, and my knees shake, mercifully hidden by my wide-leg pants.
He slips his arms around my waist, pulls me flush against him, and kisses me until I can’t breathe.
He breaks away and looks me in the eye. “Hell no.”
I let out a huge breath, my knees shakier than ever. “Jeez, Austin. Then why the wholewe need to talkbit?”
He shrugs. “Wedoneed to talk.”
“Okay, but everyone knows that’s code forwe’re breaking up. Not that we’re together,” I hurry to say. I don’t want him to think I’m reading into things more than I should. I’m very chill and nonchalant about the whole thing. Clearly. “What do we need to talk about?”
He grabs my hand and starts walking again. “Paul and I spoke to Fusion.”
Impulsively, I squeeze his hand. “They’re letting you sing one of your songs?”
“Um, no. They’re still thinking about that. They should be getting back to me soon. I’m hopeful, though, at least for London. Partially because of the other thing we talked to them about.”
I raise my brows to show I’m eagerly waiting for him to expound.
He takes in a deep breath. “Paul really went to bat for me over the whole Noah fight, and he convinced them to cut his act from tomorrow night’s concert. So, I proposed an idea. And they gave the green light.” He stops again. His face is serious, but his eyes are smiling. “We want you to open the show tomorrow night.”
Every muscle in my body tightens. Austin’s face goes hazy, and I blink. “I’m sorry, what? I spaced out there for a second.”
He grins. “You heard me.”
