Page 77 of One Night

"We're heading out," Austin says, taking off with Kira. "We'll see you there."

"Yeah, see ya."

"Van." I get his attention from the door. He's still on the phone but I give him a wave and say, "We're heading out. Thanks for packing up."

He nods and continues talking to whoever's on the phone.

At the diner, Amber and I have burgers and split a big basket of fries. Kira and Austin, the health nuts, order turkey burgers and don't eat the bun. Those two are made for each other. Nobody else I know eats like them, and anyone else they dated would be annoyed by their strict diets. It's a good thing they found each other.

After we eat, Kira and Austin go back to his place for the night. I follow Amber to her apartment, wanting to make sure she gets back there safely. I walk her to her door and kiss her, because technically the hallway is considered a public space, even though nobody else is around.

"I think I'm going to write a new song," I say.

"Oh, yeah? What is it?"

I turn her slightly, leaning her against the door. "It's called One Week."

She tilts her head, looking up at me. "What's it about?"

"You." I kiss her. "And me." I kiss her again. "And the week we spent together."

"Last week?" She smiles. "We didn't really do much."

"No. But we were finally together. That's all that matters." I position my mouth by her ear and softly sing, One week. I was with her. One week. Couldn't get enough of her. One week. And she was mine. One week. I have her back. I stop singing and quietly say, "And I hope she never leaves again."

Her neck moves as she swallows and I turn to see her face. Her eyes are wet, but she's smiling. "That was beautiful."

I chuckle. "And I didn't even practice it."

"You need to finish it. It'll be another hit."

"Maybe I'll just write it for us. Other people don't need to hear it."

"Dylan, no. You need to write it, and perform it. Girls will love it."

"I told you, I only care about one girl. And if you like it? That's good enough."

"You need to let others hear it. You sound so good singing it. I love your voice. Did you take lessons? Or how did you learn to sing like that?"

"I just sang along to my guitar. I never took singing lessons. Just guitar lessons, and when I'd practice, I'd sing along."

"You're really talented. You should go on one of those shows. Those singing competitions on TV."

"I don't think I'm good enough for that. I think I have a better shot at a job in marketing."

"Will you sing it again? One more time?" She rests her head back on the wall and closes her eyes.

One week. I was with her. One week. Couldn't get enough of her. I sing softly so I don't wake up her neighbors, and when I'm done, we kiss once more and then I leave.

When I get home, I write the song, the entire thing in less than ten minutes. The music and lyrics flow faster than I can get them down, but when I finally do, I go to the basement and play the song from start to finish.

Amber's right. It's gonna be another hit. Another favorite with the fans. But as I told her, none of that matters. The only thing I care about is as the song says...I have her back.

Chapter Seventeen

Amber

I have so much to do," I say to Kira as I sort through the stack of folders on the kitchen table.

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