Page 349 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

brows shooting up.

The reaction melts me.

I pinch myself

‘cause I must be dreaming.

But I feel it. So I’m not.

When he recovers,

we sing the lines back and forth.

He knows all the words. To my song.

“Countin’ on fate that she’ll stay…”

“It’s ten minutes ‘til⁠—”

“An’ I’m sick with this ache,

“while ridin’ with ghosts

“on the

“subway…”

“The subway’s very humble of you,” I say,

breaking song momentarily.

He moves away from the mic to laugh.

“For you, I suffer.”

I fight back my blush

and turn to the guests,

gesturing to him⁠—

“He says…

“in a ten thousand dollar tux…”

Laughter echoes over the piano.

The corner of his mouth lifts.

“I’d’ve brought roses

“if I had enough time…”

“I’m losin’ my mind.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes

“to make you mine.”