“You had that exact face when you explained your five-pronged plan for winning the state spelling bee,” Jake mentioned off-handedly as he got another spoonful of cereal. “Did you ever win that, by the way? You never told me.”
What did he mean I never told him? It’s the very first thing Itexted Jake—just like I promised—after I congratulated him for getting into the band. I even sent him a photo of my trophy. Did he forget or something?
“Yeah, first place. Anyway,” I continued, “we really need something big and eye-catching to get attention. I know you normally perform with your band, but since you brought your guitar, can we livestream you singing a song or two solo? I think it’d get a lot of views. You can shout-out The Tiny Tiger, and post links under the video so people can donate or make reservations. Like, surely iftheJake Moody performed—”
“Did you really have to emphasizethelike that?”
“I meant it as a compliment.”
“It makes me feel like a landmark.TheEiffel Tower.”
“A landmark’s what I’m going for, actually.” I leaned forward, growing excited. “I think people would want to visit the place you’ve performed at. I mean, my friend Amber and I once drove two hours to see the place where Hunter Dean filmed one of his scenes inRise of the Phoenix.”
“Yeah that’s—” Jake paused, eyes narrowing. “I thought you didn’t like superhero movies. You used to throw popcorn at the commercials. We were almost kicked out of a theater once.”
“I like superhero movies when Hunter Dean is in them.”
“Really? Hunter?Thatguy?”
“Seriously? That’s what you got out of my pitch?”
He leveled an unrepentant look at me, his jaw ticking tighter. Then he shook his head, as if having to physically rid himself of my Hunter comment. What was his problem?
“Your taste in guys aside,” he continued disparagingly, and I stifled a snort, wondering what he’d say if he ever discovered he’d been my first crush. Maybe he had a point about my type.“You’re not wrong about the location pilgrimage. Apparently, this bridge where the guys and I filmed our first music video gets lots of visitors who come down every year just to cross it.” He frowned. “People started leaving comments saying it’s a traffic problem. Local commuters hate US.”
“That’s great! Well, the visitor thing. Not the fact that drivers hate you. I’m sure the coffee shop there likes you a lot, if it’s any consolation.”
Jake hummed in response, looking vaguely amused.
“So,” I pressed, “can you do it?”
Instead of answering, he looked down for a moment, hesitant, but when he looked back up, he wore a different expression entirely.
“You know what I don’t get, Lucy?”
I eyed him suspiciously. He sounded like he was coaxing me into a trap, tone deceptively light with a dangerous edge.
“What I don’t get,” he continued, “is after clearly being prickly about seeing me last night—”
“I—” I sputtered. “I was notprickly.”
“You were like a vexed cactus, actually. And yet...” Jake leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, and making the silver chain around his neck glint with the movement. “You’re asking me to be around more? Stay longer?”
I tensed. I was asking that, wasn’t I?
“Planning a livestream’s a lot moreinvolvedthan just snapping a few promo photos and getting out of your hair.”
He stared at me across the table, eye contact unwavering, expression unreadable. It was unnerving. For a split second, I felt the urge to shrink back or look away. All those articles hadit right: The full force of Jake Moody’s intense, intimidating stare was something to be reckoned with.
But I knew him from before. And despite the new getup and bad attitude and whoever this person he’d become was, there’s no way I’d let him get to me. Irefused.
“Don’t act like you don’t need me as much as I need you,” I told him steadily.
Jake tilted his head the tiniest fraction—as if he wasn’t expecting my answer but didn’t want it to show.
“You need to be back in the good graces of the public; I need the public.” In the café. Adopting Mittens and knocking back cappuccinos and unknowingly making everything safe for me to leave in the fall. “This is an even better way to get what we want, and you know it. Besides,” I said, my tone softening, “wouldn’t you rather do something for your PR here than someplace else? You used to love being at the café, Jake.”You used to love being with me.“Doesn’t that count for something?”
He stayed silent for another beat. Then, “This weekend.”
