Page 61 of We Used To Be Magic

‘Definitely the first,’ I say firmly. ‘Today was long and crazy – I just want it to be over with, really. I’m sorry.’

‘Is that it, though?’ Ezra presses. ‘I mean – is that all of it?’

I meet his gaze, startled by the question. Even more startling are his eyes – they look molten, suddenly, almost liquid with empathy. My mouth goes dry.

‘Yeah,’ I say, voice wavering slightly. ‘That’s it.’

His features shift, then, eyes dimming. He knows I’m lying.

‘Okay,’ he says, drawing away. ‘Well …’

‘I’m sorry,’ I say, impulsively reaching out to take his hand. It only takes me a second to realise how weird and stupid that is, but when I move to pull away he stops me, threading his fingers through mine. His hand, in mine. Mine in his, and his gaze has dropped to my lips. The noise of the party recedes into nothing, suddenly, and blood rushes to my head as I watch his throat bob, lips parting—

‘Audrey!’

I drop his hand, whirling around to see Imogene. She’s wearing a black wrap dress and tortoiseshell earrings, beaming and beautiful and sonotwho I want to be looking at right now.

‘Imogene.’ I smile, face hot. ‘Hi.’

‘Hi.How are we doing?’

‘Good. Uh – this is Ezra. Ezra, Imogene. She’s my agent.’

‘It’s nice to meet you! Are you a part of the crew?’

‘Ezra’s a photographer,’ I say quickly. ‘Among other things.’

‘Oh, great! I’m so sorry to be interrupting but can I steal Audrey for a sec? I promise to bring her back!’

‘No worries,’ Ezra says, voice throatier than usual. ‘I’ll be around.’

And then I’m being guided away, still reeling. I glance back over my shoulder – Ezra looks similarly dazed, but then he’s gone from sight and I find myself standing in front of a woman that I’ve never seen before. And Julian. Julian is standing beside her.

‘Audrey, I’d like you to meet Sasha.’ Imogene smiles.

‘Hey there,’ the woman – Sasha – says, reaching out to shake my hand. Her fingers are covered in chunky rings and her hair is short and pink, cut bluntly and tucked behind her ears. ‘Cute dress.’

‘Oh – thank you,’ I bluster. ‘It’s really nice to meet you.’

‘Sasha works in casting,’ Imogene tells me. ‘Julian’s been showing her some of the pictures from today.’

‘He did.’ Sasha nods. ‘And I think you might be perfect for an editorial a friend of mine is putting together.’

‘Oh! Um – wow. I wish I had my comp cards on me.’

‘I’ve got Imogene’s details.’ Sasha smiles. ‘Don’t worry about all that.’

‘Audrey,’ Julian says suddenly. ‘You don’t have a drink. Am I failing in my hosting duties?’

‘I’m fine,’ I say quietly, unease coiling in my stomach. I don’t like hearing him say my name.

‘I’ll take another seltzer if you’re offering,’ Imogene interjects, smiling. ‘Sasha?’

‘A beer, if you’ve got it. Thanks.’

‘Sure,’ he says, looking back to me. ‘Give me a hand?’

I freeze, my mind clawing at the air for an excuse – a reason why I need to leave, actually, need to get out of hereimmediately.

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