Page 336 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

the two of us breaking into laughter.

“Ohh, shit. Allie?”

Ace’s gaze snags on us as he strolls by, then backs up with a wide-eyed double-take.

Digby’s a London tower at his side.

Andrew and I break apart, and I swipe my hair from my eyes, out of breath.

As they approach, Ace looks Andrew up and down, stopping where Andrew’s hand falls away from my hip.

The big-brother siren goes off across Ace’s face. “Whoa—hang on. This your date?”

Heat climbs my neck,

and I jump in to introduce.

“Andrew, this is Ace Souza—producer, friend, beat-making machine, and apparently the man whose chances with at least three women you personally tanked at Thanksgiving.”

Ace’s fist flies to his mouth with a laugh. “Yo, no way.” He turns to Digby and smacks his arm. “This the brah that got me fucked up that night.”

Andrew shakes his hand.

“Yeah. A little distracted tryna keep my eye on this one.” He glances down, catching the nerves burning pink on my cheeks. “But for the record,” Andrew continues, eyes back on Ace. “I cut you off at three drinks. Everything after that? Straight-up pineapple juice, man.”

Ace goes still, standing there, confused.

“Naahhh.”

Andrew sucks air through his teeth.

“Yeah.”

Ace laughs empty. “No way.”

Andrew nods, embarrassed for him.

“Yeah.”

Ace’s laugh dies.

An awkward silence passes,

until Digby breaks it,

holding out his hand.

“Alright, mate? Name’s Digby. Good finally meeting you. Been wanting to say cheers for the spark. That song title? Absolute gold.”

Andrew shakes his hand, processing.

“I’m sorry, song title?”

I knock Andrew’s hip with mine.

“That single Diggs just dropped on Spotify— 5% Survival Rate? That was all you.”

Andrew’s expression blanks.