But where did that leave her?
The after-party was heldon the rooftop of a boutique downtown hotel. After such an exhilarating show, everyone was in a festive mood.
AJ watched the cast members commandeer a heated outdoor living room as she took a seat at the bar and ordered a scotch neat. She figured it would take Noah about an hour to see Eudora back, then another half hour to get down here. By her calculation, he should arrive any minute.
AJ downed her drink and then ordered another, trying to get a handle on herself. In under three hours, she’d gone from dreading Noah’s departure to kissing him, and her thoughts were making about as much sense as a slot machine that spoke in fruits.
“Have you looked at the message boards?” said Dave, plunking onto the barstool beside AJ. He shoved his Android in her face, scrolling demonstratively. “Arho, Arho, Arho, reboot…”
AJ laughed. “No, I haven’t looked.” AJ had gone cold turkey off allInto the Blue–related web content when the show ended. “No” had made this resolution very easy to uphold.
Dave clicked the home screen of his phone closed. “Just saying, for two individuals with no interest in the fandom, you guys just served them one hell of a teaser…”
“We aim to please,” said a low voice behind AJ. Noah had appeared, having changed into a fresh sweater and jeans. She had always loved the way he smelled just out of the shower. The energy between them was still charged from being onstage; they weren’t fully synced, but she could sense enough to know he was feeling relaxed.
“Well,if it isn’t the newest celeb onSNL’s blacklist,” said Dave.
“Great show to you, too, Dave,” said Noah, placing his foot on the ring of AJ’s stool.
Dave shook his head disbelievingly. “It was a great show, man,” he said. “Here, let me get you a drink before you’re officially banned.”
Dave flagged down the bartender. As he did, AJ turned to Noah. “What were you thinking?”
His eyes shone black in the dim glow of the bistro lights. “I was thinking you should be with me,” he said finally. “Onstage. And I was right—you were good.”
AJ’s cheeks warmed. “Well, I hope it was worth it.”
Noah glanced at her lips, then toward the bar. “It was worth it.”
AJ’s insides turned to goo.
It would be so easy to sleep with Noah. Nothing would feel more natural. Perhaps that’s why she hadn’t told him about Brian; some unconscious part of her was hoping Noah would try. Which was totally and completely fucked-up. Brian was a good guy.
But Noah was…Noah.Fuck.Why did he have to kiss her?
“As I was saying,” said Dave, handing AJ a scotch, “this is one of those things that could totally go viral, and when it does…we could have a film adaptation on our hands. I would do a film.”
Noah laughed and took his drink, casually resting his elbow on the back of AJ’s stool. The warmth of his chest radiated through her shirt, but she kept her eyes forward.
“I hate to bring this up,” said Noah playfully, “but the series kind of left off with Ana and Rho striking out on their own. Would Pete even be in the movie?”
Dave scoffed. “Of course he would. Who else would show up to bail out Ana and Rho after they get caught because hehappenedto be monitoring all the Naval communiqués?”
“Out of curiosity, how much time are you spending on the message boards?” said AJ. As she downed her whiskey, she could feel Noah’s eyes on her throat.
“Enough,” said Dave.
AJ laughed, and she heard Noah’s breath hitch. She glanced up at him over her shoulder and saw heat in his eyes.Fuck.Almost imperceptibly the hand that was resting on the back of her chair brushed against her shoulder blade. AJ had to suppress a chill.
“Heads up, Age,” said Dave. “There’s your boy.”
“What?” said AJ, looking away from Noah.
Brian McKenzie had just stepped off the elevator and was heading right for them.
AJ felt as if she’d plunged into the Hudson.
He must have arrived back early and come to surprise her. As he approached the bar, several cast members flagged him down for high fives. Everybody loved Brian.
