Nora's looking at me now, something soft in her expression that I don't know how to read.
"I know I am."
The moment stretches until Julian clears his throat deliberately.
"Right. Well. I should probably get back to pretending to work while Nate pretends to pay attention to the mix." He pushes off the console, heading back toward the booth. "Nice meeting you, Nora. Seriously, come to Sonder this weekend. I promise we sound even better live.”
"I'll be there," she says, still smiling.
Julian disappears to God knows where, and I turn to Nora, trying to ignore the embarrassment still heating my face.
"Sorry about him. He has no filter. He’s been hanging around Jay too much”
"He clearly cares about you."
"Yeah, well." I shove my hands in my pockets. "The feeling's mutual."
"But seriously," I say instead, "don't worry about the cabinet. I'll fix it."
“Sorry. Again.” She shifts her weight, and she's about to leave, but then she hesitates.
"You uh... You can stay if you want to listen?"
"I would but I promised Camilla and Mia I'd help with the gift bags for the baby shower and you know how Camilla gets when you mess with her schedule.”
"Oh. Yeah, of course." I try not to let the disappointment show.
"Thanks again."
"Stop thanking me, Len. There's no need for it."
The nickname slips out without me thinking, and I watch her breath catch slightly before she nods and turns to leave.
Julian's voice comes through the talkback as soon as she’s gone.
“Damn man. You're seriously fucked."
I don't answer, just watch her walk away through the glass.
“And definitely still in love with her."
"Why are you still talking? Get back to the track."
"Yes boss," he says, but I hear the grin in his voice. "I get it though. Why you'd still be mad about her. She seems great. And she definitely looked at you the same way you look at her when you think no one's watching."
"I'm turning off your talkback."
"You won't. Voice of reason, remember?”
I shake my head and try to focus on the mix.
CHAPTER 20
OH BABY
NORA
The lake houseis chaos when I arrive, and I mean that in the best possible way.
