Page 169 of Come Back to Me

“Of course. Nonna gets around. She hasn’t said why we’ve fallen out, only that we have.”

I roll my eyes. “Great.”

“Don’t worry. She won’t spit in your coffee.”

“Jesus.” I rub my brow. “Okay. Fake un-dating. Is that it?”

“I want you to come to a crystal store with me.”

“Done.”

She beams a smile at me, and all her whacky rules—though I expected worse—make it so worth it for that genuine sign of happiness coming from her.

“Any other rules?”

“I don’t do rules. I do checklists.”

“Fine. Is the checklist complete?” At her hum, I understand that the ‘checklist’ is buildable. Honestly? I’ll fucking take it. “So, what first?”

She stares at me like I’m crazy. “Sandwiches first. Then Elena.” The ‘duh’is silent.

“Jamie told me you sent Elena some music.”

“Yeah. I never realized she’s so bad that we wouldn’t be able to talk to her straight away. I’ve been sending her unpolished tracks every couple days, hoping it’d help.”

Aware that I’m about to dice with death, I rumble, “You know, even if you don’t talk to me ever again, I’ll still reach out to the Majors about your music.”

Her expression goes into lockdown. “You’re lucky you’re pretty.”

“I am?”

“Yes. Or I’d smack you for that one.” Her lips purse. “You think I’m talking to you because of that?”

“No.But… if you decided that I’m a lost cause, you can end this and I’ll still do whatever you need to help your career. I just wanted you to know that, Tee.”

“You underestimate how much I learned about you as Butch.”

“I do?”

“Yes. I was in love with Butch.” Her fingers tighten around the paper bag. “Do you think it’d have hurt so much when you cut ties if I wasn’t?”

Our gazes meet. “I loved T too.”

“Past tense?”

I shake my head.

She purses her lips. “So if Butch and Calamity Jane are in love...”

“One plus one equals two.”

“We’re still fake un-dating.”

“Even though we love each other?”

Something flickers in her eyes. “Even though.” She picks up her sandwich. “Is your bedroom near Callan’s?”

“All the kids’ bedrooms are grouped together.”

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