Page 138 of Fauxmance
"Just going to see my mom."
I nodded. That made sense.
"You?" he asked.
"I have an appointment," I said.
"Sounds good."
Rolling my eyes, I rested my head against the elevator wall. Was this really how it was going to be between us now? Ugh. I wished for the days when we both felt comfortable enough to just talk to each other.
The doors closed, and as we started moving, I noticed the bag across Hayden's back.
It became so quiet I thought I'd go mad if I didn't say something.
"What's the guitar for?" I asked.
"Oh, I've got a private performance later," he said.
"So, no band?"
"No, just me."
"That sounds wonderful," I mumbled, trying to squash my jealousy. Someone was going to be privately serenaded by Hayden. Yes, please. Where could I sign up for that?
"I hope she'll think so," he said, still watching the numbers ascend.
I frowned.She?
Ugh.
Now, I really was envious.
We were between floors four and five when the elevator suddenly jolted to a halt.
"Oh my God," I said, looking around frantically. Not again.
"Magnolia," Hayden said. "It's okay."
I went to reach for my phone, forgetting for a moment that there was no service.
"Maggie," Hayden said again just as I was contemplating yelling for help.
My eyes went to him, and I frowned. Hayden was giving me a soft smile, and I didn't know when, but he'd somehow found time to bring out his guitar.
"I wanted to tell you something."
"Hayden, can this wait? We're stuck. Again, and I was just on my way to freaking out."
"No, it can't," he said. "And we're not stuck. I pulled the emergency button."
Glancing down, I saw that he was telling the truth.
I stared back at him with confusion.
"Why would you do that?" I asked.
"Because, like I said, I have something to tell you."
