Cadence pulled her phone out. “Let me do it before I forget. I tend to lose track of time around you.”
Our waitress came back with our drinks and took our order.
“Ugh. I know you don’t eat much sugar, but we should have ordered dessert first.”
I lifted an eyebrow, “Oh?”
“They have lava cake!”
As if that explained it. Unlike me, she had a sweet tooth, but I still didn’t follow. “So, order it after you eat.”
She shook her head, furrowing her brow. “I’ll be too full. I can’t eat that much.”
I pressed my mouth into a thin line, trying—but failing—to contain my laughter. Her conviction was absolutely adorable.
Cadence crossed her arms, a pout forming on her lips. “Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up. Dessert is the best part about going out to eat.”
“I’m not laughing at you. I’m laughing with you. There’s a difference.”
“That only applies if I’m laughing. Which I’m not.”
“Fine. No more laughing.” I took a drink of my water. “Instead tell me what your plans are now that you’ve moved back to North Carolina.”
Cadence sighed, putting her arms on the table. “I’m not sure yet. It’s weird. Ever since I started college, I’ve been on this path away from what I really enjoyed in life. But now, I almost feel like I’m back at the start. It’s terrifying and exhilarating.”
“What did you study in college?”
“Music and business. I wanted to produce music. Write top hits and own this big fancy record label.”
“Didn’t you say you have a degree in finance? How did that happen.”
She averted her eyes as her shoulders tensed. I had a feeling I knew what she was about to say.
“I let Elijah convince me that a finance degree would be better suited for owning a business that produced music.”
I fucking knew it. That bastard pretended to share her dreams, only to steer her away from them. I balled my fists under the table, fighting to control the anger that seeped in and diffuse it completely. It had no place here, with us.
“There’s still time to make that a reality.”
She shook her head. “I’m not so sure about that. I hate to say time isn’t exactly on my side.”
“All you need is one song to go viral on all these social media platforms. You could take off that way.”
“You make it sound so easy. Why haven’t you donethat yet?”
I leaned across the table. “Because I don’t look as cute as you do. The world would prefer to stare at you than me.”
Cadence rolled her eyes as she took a drink of her margarita. “That’s ridiculous. Have you looked in the mirror recently?”
“I told you, already. I’m too busy looking at you.
“Whatever.” I could see the faint blush that kissed her cheeks.
“Try it and see. Post a video of you singing.”
She fidgeted in her seat. “I’d rather just do the songwriting.”
“The lyrics you sang last night, is the song finished?”
