Page 316 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

His body unstiffens, and he raises his hands up at his sides. “Course I wasn’t at the fuckin’ hotel, Allison. Been waitin’ right here for you, goin’ crazy.”

A beat passes,

his gaze flickering over me fast.

He stands taller. “Well? How did it go?”

His brows lift, hurrying me to spill every detail as every passing second in silence worries him more.

I step further into the kitchen,

trying to put my black-cloud face on.

The one that says,

I’m fine, but I need a hug.

Then I shrug with a long, defeated sigh,

and Andrew’s face falls.

Then my lips curve into the smile that’s been waiting for him. “I fucking killed it!” I explode, laughing with sheer relief from it.

All the tension melts off me,

and I walk closer,

almost bouncing in my heels.

“You shoulda seen Raymond’s face, Drew!”

I let out another small laugh,

then pace the marble,

reliving the entire moment.

“He was shook!

“He didn’t see me coming at all.

“I told him exactly what I thought.

“I—” I stop myself for a second, feeling the heat in my chest, that rush that comes with doing something you never thought you could.

“I kicked ass. Right there.

“In front of the entire board.”

I bring my hands to my heated cheeks,

unable to catch my breath.

“At one point, he was runnin’ through numbers like he fuckin’ owned the joint, right? So I let him talk, before I ripped right into him. I think I actually interrupted him with something like—‘I’m not done. We’ve heard your take. ‘I’ll tell you. When. I’m. Finished,’” I clap out.

Andrew laughs. “You said that?!”

“I fuckin’ said that. Me. Allison.