“Asher didn’t seem to like this Noah guy,” I comment. I trust Rae’s judgment, but Asher seemed to have another opinion.
“Does Asher seem to like anyone?” she scoffs.
“He likes you,” I tell her, easily.
She rolls her lips together, then looks down at her hands. “Yeah, I like him too.”
“I know you do, Sunshine. And I like making you happy.”
She looks up at me with a gentle smile. “You always do.”
Suddenly, there’s a loud banging noise, and Rae jumps. I do as well even though I’m not there.
“What was that?” I snap as she looks around quickly.
“I-I don’t know,” she stutters, grabbing her phone and standing from the piano, padding through her house.
“Where’s your security?” I ask urgently, already pulling up Asher’s number to tell him to go over to her and hating myself that I’m across the fucking country from her.
“I have cameras, they’re watching. Maybe it’s a bird or something.”
“At night?” I have a text composed to Asher, but then I hear Rae talking to her security through the intercom.
“All clear, Ms. Colver, but we’ll be walking rounds around the property,” he says.
“Thank you,” she replies, but I can hear how shaky she is.
“I wish I was there with you right now. What do you need?” I ask quickly.
She shakes her head. “I’m okay, just stay on the phone with me.”
“Do you want Asher to come over?” I ask, glad for the option, but also hating that it’s not me.
“I’ll be okay,” she insists. “Just stay on the phone with me tonight.”
I agree easily as she carries her phone up to her room, and I recognize the soft click of the lock once she’s inside. She climbs into her bed, and I want to make sure to distract her enough so she can go to sleep. I’m sure her anxiety is in overdrive, but I know the best thing to calm her down.
“Do you want to sing me your new song?” I ask easily.
“It’s not ready yet.” Her voice is still shaky as she cocoons herself in her blankets.
“You know I don’t mind that. I want to hear it. Or tell me more about this duet.”
“Um, it’s a little edgy for me, but he’s used to that, and I think it’s a good intro to my new music,” she explains.
“Is it a love song?” I ask, not because I’ll necessarily be jealous to hear her singing about love with this Noah guy, but I can’t help but wonder if it’s inspired by recent events in her life.
That question gets a small smile from her. “In a way? It’s pretty sexy.”
“How so?”
She sucks her bottom lip between her teeth. “I may have been inspired by this new…um…life we’re living.”
I smile; Iknew it.
“I can’t wait to hear it,” I tell her honestly.
It takes another hour or so for Rae to feel relaxed enough to fall asleep, but I stay on the phone the whole time, and even as my own eyelids feel heavy I can’t bring myself to hang up. Falling asleep while looking at her peaceful beautiful face, I’m pretty sure I tell her I love her right before I’m asleep.
