Page 601 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

When he finally lifts his head,

his gaze doesn’t hit mine.

It slides right past my shoulder.

I spin around,

and my chest slams into the sight of⁠—

“Andrew?”

Relief floods me, pouring into me fast.

And my first thought is⁠—

Andrew. My comfort person, too.

He's here, thank God. He's here.

He’ll know how to fix this,

everything's going to be okay.

I take one step toward him,

but he doesn't move.

He's just standing there⁠—

his dark hair wrecked by his fingers,

black fitted jeans,

bomber jacket over a gray tee,

rooted to the spot,

breathing, breaking me⁠—

only staring right back,

And it makes me pause.

Makes me breathe faster.

I wrap my hand around my own tight throat, 'cause I need something to hold.

“Is Maria⁠—?”

“Maria’s fine,” Raymond says to my left,

his voice sounding a million miles away.

I take one more step on instinct.

“Andrew, then⁠—”

I shake my head,