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Piper was right. I’ve done all this for years. I know how it works. I just need to take the formula I’ve memorized and replicate it for myself.
It would be a lot of work, but I’m used to that. Work is what I’m good at.
A frisson of excitement zings through me.
I pick up my phone, scrolling back to the email Piper forwarded me from Luke. His number is at the bottom.
I stare at it for a long time, considering, then I put the number into my phone and open up a text message.
Hi, Luke, it’s Mindy Fox. I listened to your song, and I was wondering if we could discuss it. Maybe later today or tomorrow?
I bite my lip, waiting. Rue the day I have to wait on a man to text me back. Again. Reminds me of the hours I spent waiting around for Blake to dump me.
Hi Mindy. Thank you for reaching out. I’m open today. Tell me when and where.
I grin and resist the urge to shoot my fist in the air.My thumbs move quickly over the keys, and then I hit send.
Think Coffee on 8th by Jackson Square. 3 p.m.
ChapterSix
Luke
I stare down at my phone, shock rooting me in place.
She wants to talk. To me. About my song.Today.
What does that mean? Did she actually like it? What if she wants to hear me play in person? My stomach clenches, the oatmeal I just downed threatening to reappear.
I won’t bring my guitar.
But then she might want to hear me sing a cappella. That would be so much worse.
Wouldn’t it?
I have to meet her. This is why I’m here. This is why I gave up eight years of grueling work, to chase this dream.
If you pass this up because of fear, you’re more of a dumbass than I thought.Kevin’s voice echoes in my head. My lips quirk. He would kick my ass.
If Kevin taught me anything, it’s that life’s short. If you aren’t learning and growing and changing, what’s the point?
I reread Mindy’s text for the seventh time.
Think Coffee. There are a few of them scattered throughout the city. I pull up the map on my phone to route my way there. The 2 train will drop me at 12th and Greenwich, which looks to be the best course of action.
I have a couple of hours, at least. If she had suggested tomorrow, I probably wouldn’t have been able to sleep tonight. My heart is already pounding so hard I’m surprised my shirt isn’t lifting in front of my face with each pump. It takes me a full minute to key in my response.
I’ll be there.
I review the three-word text thirty times before pressing send.
Holy shit.
I need to get ready.
“Walter.” I call his name as I head down the narrow hallway. “You’re not going to believe this.”
He’s sitting in the recliner in the common room, an old paperback in his lap. His furry gray eyebrows lift, and he looks at me over the rim of the glasses pushed down to the bottom of his nose.
