Page 130 of Off Pitch

“You listen… because of me? Because I like that album?”

“Yeah,” I shrug. “Is that so hard to believe?”

“Yeah, a little bit. But it’s also really sweet, Knox.”

“I figured out your favorite song that day, too.”

“How?” she asks. “I didn’t tell you my favorite song.”

“No, you didn’t,” I reply. “But I think it’s a safe bet to say that your favorite song is probably on your favorite album. And there was one song you played a bit more often than the others.” She looks at me curiously now. “You playedFearlessmultiple times during that flight, Lo.”

“Uh, yeah…” she blushes. “That’s my favorite song.”

“It makes sense,” I reply, gently pulling Harlow into my lap. “It’s a bright and happy song—perfect for you.”

She leans her head against my chest. “You’ve done nothing but surprise me this season.”

“In a good way, I hope.”

“In the best way.”

“I really enjoy you talking to me again, Harlow. I missed this.”

“Yeah,” she says. “I did, too. I just wanted to protect myself. Turns out, though, it hurts more to stay away from you.”

“So don’t stay away then.”

“As long as you promise you don’t try to pull away again.”

I smile. “That seems fair.”

She does her best to stifle a yawn, but it’s unsuccessful. “It’s getting late. I think I might head to bed.”

“Yeah, good idea,” I say before adding, “If you want, you can, uh… sleep beside me. Just sleep. You don’t have to, but like I said, I’ve missed you.”

“Oh,” she says softly as she slides off of me. “I’m not sure that’s a great idea.”

“Right, of course,” I say, a bit disappointed. “That’s more than fair.”

I stand from the couch and place a kiss on the top of her head before I walk out of the living room and toward my bedroom.

When I reach my door, I hear Harlow call out, “Good night, Knox.”

“Night, Lo. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Sleep eludes me.

Wow, that sounds dramatic.

But still. I can’t sleep.

Thoughts of Harlow have taken up permanent residence in my brain, and they’re swirling even stronger tonight.

I’ve been trying to give her the space she needs, but that’s hell for me. Now, she doesn’t seem to want any distance between us again.

That’s all I’ve wanted since we went back to “playing our parts,” but if I was playing a part after our argument, I did a fucking terrible job. I’m not getting nominated for an Academy Award anytime soon, that’s for fucking sure.

All that matters, though, is that Harlow wants to be around me again. And her bringing back an entire cheesecake tonight helps me realize it.

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