Brynn stepped forward, hand extended, as if this were a networking event. “I’m Brynn. Huge fan. You’re incredibly talented.”
Cole shook her hand, but his attention slid right back to me. “Thanks. That means a lot.”
Brynn gestured to each of us. “This is Jess, and Eli, and this…”
“Autumn.”
My name in his mouth sounded different. Better. Like he’d been practicing it.
“How did you know?”
“I asked.” He stood, crossing the space in two strides. Up close, he was taller than I’d thought. Broader. His eyes were hazel with flecks of gold. The kind of eyes that got him out of speedingtickets and into beds. “Pointed you out to Rick. Asked who you were.”
“He didn’t know my name.”
“No. But your friend there.” He gestured at Brynn. “She’s been commenting on my Instagram for three months. Rick recognized her, figured you were together. I may have done some light social media stalking.”
Brynn gasped. “Youfollowme?”
“As of thirty minutes ago, yeah.”
She clutched Jess’s arm. “Oh my God. I’m deceased. This is my ghost talking.”
Cole’s gaze never left mine. “I’m Cole.”
“I know.”
Brynn, Jess, and Eli stepped back, giving us space to talk.
“You know my music?”
“No. Brynn told me.” The truth came out sharper than I meant it to. Defense mechanism. Deflection. The usual.
His smile didn’t falter. “Ouch.”
“I didn’t mean…” I stopped. Regrouped. “I loved your set.”
“But you’d never heard of me before tonight.”
“Is that a problem?”
“Nope.” He took a sip of water. His throat worked in a way that shouldn’t have been attractive. “Actually, it’s refreshing. Most people I meet either want something from me or think they already know me because they’ve listened to my songs.”
“I don’t want anything from you.”
“I noticed.” His eyes crinkled. “You looked like you were about to run when Rick invited you back.”
“I considered it.”
“What stopped you?”
“My friend has a powerful grip and no respect for personal autonomy.”
Cole laughed; the sound filled the room, genuine and warm. Something in my chest squeezed tight.
“I like you.”
“You don’t know me.”
