Page 198 of Love Felt Like This

“We’re just happy to be back in town,” I say.

Happy to see you.

“Europe wasn’t an endless party?” she teases.

“Sure, if you call potty training a toddler a party.”

“Don’t talk about Poe like that.”

I bite back a smile, watching as the ostrich puppet is taken offstage.

“He’s new, isn’t he?” I ask.

“Oh.” Beverly flushes red. “Yeah, that’s Elton Emu.”

“Finch’s idea?”

“No, mine.”

“Thought you didn’t like musicians.”

She looks at the ground, winding her hands together, chipping her bright nail polish with her thumb. Then she forces a smile and a laugh. “Yeah, well, piano-playing ones aren’t so bad.”

Every muscle in me tenses.

God, I want to kiss her.

I want to haul her over my shoulder and take her home with me.

I want to play piano for her.

But I already have, haven’t I?

I bend down, pop open my guitar case, and pull out a CD. I extend it to Beverly.

“My new album,” I say. “For you.”

Her eyes dance between mine, really taking me in for the first time since I arrived.

“You look tired,” she observes.

I bark out a laugh, slapping the CD to my palm. “This album was hard work.”

I offer it to her again. She finally takes it, running her thumb over the jewel case.

“I also have these…” I dig into my back pocket, finding the tickets that my fingers have been itching to give her all morning. They’re four tickets—one for her, Finch, Rob, and Nana.

“Our last stop on the tour is tomorrow night,” I say, handing them over. “This album releases at midnight, so we’re surprise playing a lot of the songs on there. I’d love for you to come.”

I want to see you again. I want to spend more time with you. I want to perform for you.

“It’s all general admission,” I say. “I wish I could get you something better, but it’s a smaller venue than usual. A little intimate homecoming thing. Only a few thousand.”

“That’s considered small?” she asks.

“Well, we’re used to twenty thousand.”

“Not fifty?” she teases. “Hmm. Gotta step up your game, Griffin.” I chuckle as she traces a finger over the remaining printed text. “VIP backstage tour?”