Page 130 of Must Have Been Love

“I have.” He narrows his eyes. “Are we going to divulge? Make sure we haven’t chosen the same track?”

I narrow mine back. “Are you afraid of a little competition?” Not that he should be.

He laughs. “Nope, I love it. Do you know if Hudson knows about it yet?”

“I have no idea,” I say lightly. He still hasn’t been near the bar.

“I hope he hates it.”

“No you don’t.”

“I do.” He grins.

“By the way, Mylene is coming to Karaoke,” I say.

He looks over my shoulder at where she’s busy filling the cake stands with pastries. “Hey Mylene,” he shouts out. “What are you planning on singing at Karaoke?”

“‘Lyin’ Eyes’ by the Eagles,” she replies.

“Nice choice.” He leans forward to me. “She’ll be hoping that one gets back to Eileen.”

I sigh. “What if she shows up too?”

“She won’t. They have an unspoken agreement. Eileen was at the last party which means it’s Mylene’s turn.”

“They both turned up to Ayda’s,” I point out.

“Yeah, but that was a mistake. Mylene got her dates wrong.” He takes a sip of his coffee. “Why are you so worried about Mylene and Eileen anyway?”

“I’m not,” I say. “I’m just trying to learn from them. I have this really annoying sibling…”

He rolls his eyes at me and I grin back at him.

“‘Born to Run’,” he says.

“What?”

“Is that what you’re singing?” he asks. “‘Born to Run’ by Springsteen. It suits you.”

“No.” I shake my head.

“Good.”

“Is that whatyou’resinging?” I ask.

He mimes zipping his lips and I grin.

Because that’s totally what he’s singing. And he’ll be excellent at it.

I, on the other hand, will need all the help I can get.

* * *

You Are Fearless. You Are Graceful. You Are Love.

I look at the words for one last time before the sun sets. I have a feeling they’ll be gone in the morning. Maybe I should have taken a photograph, but it’s too late now.

I know they’re all paraphrased from some of my favorite songs. He’s been listening to them. The thought sends a shiver down my spine.

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