Page 16 of Once Upon a Boyband
I smile. “I hope not, because I’m glad you did too. Really glad. And thanks for showing me around Hope Acres. It was fun to finally see it.”
Seized by a sudden idea, I reach into my center console and grab one of my business cards, then retrieve a pen from my purse. “Listen. I don’t normally do this, but if you ever need anything after hours, especially when it comes to Taylor and her puppies, please don’t hesitate to call me.” I scribble my cell number onto the back of the card. “This ismy personal number, so it’ll come right to me. For real. Anytime, day or night. Even if it’s not dog related.”
I freeze the moment the words are out of my mouth, the card still in my hand. Did I just tell Adam he can call me in the middle of the night for non-dog-related reasons?
Adam quirks an eyebrow. “That’s a generous offer. So you’re saying next time I find a mouse in the kitchen at two a.m., I can call you instead of freaking out?”
“Are you admitting you freak out over mice?”
“Like a tiny fearful child,” he says without cracking a smile.
I laugh. “In that case, I hope you do call me. Sounds like something I’d like to see.”
I hold out the card, and Adam wraps his big hand around mine, squeezing it for a moment before tucking the paper into his palm.
My skin warms from his touch, my heart responding in that same erratic way it did when he helped me stand inside Taylor’s kennel. But the reaction also fills me with courage.
Adam has to feel this too—thezingof electricity every time we touch. It makes me wonder how we managed to have so many normal interactions before now without figuring this out.
He slides my card into the front pocket of his shirt. “I’m going to remember this conversation,” he says. “I’ve officially got you down for middle-of-the-night pest control. But I can’t promise I won’t also call you when I need someone to talk to about music stuff that no one else cares about.”
“Yeah? Like what?”
He furrows his brow. “How about…Max Martin’s melodic math?”
Listen. I’m absolutely a music nerd. I know this aboutmyself. My obsession with Midnight Rush was just the beginning of a truly satisfying relationship with music of all different kinds. Most people can talk to me about the basics. They know recording artists. Their favorite songs. But most people aren’t bringing up songwriters and their approach to creation in casual conversation. He has no idea what he’s doing to me.
“I’m hooked already,” I say. “I know of Max Martin, but I’ve never heard of melodic math.”
“It’s a songwriting technique,” Adam explains. “His hits are not accidental—it’s pretty interesting when you really look at the science behind the choices he makes.”
“Love it. We can definitely talk about that at two a.m.” I turn sideways to face him and pull one leg into my seat, wrapping my arms around my knee. “Though I’m beginning to think I deserve something in return for my willingness to be available at all hours.”
“I’m open to negotiations,” Adam says.
I grin. “I think I should get to name Taylor’s puppies.”
“Let me guess. Freddie, Leo, Deke, and Jace?”
I gasp. “You know their names! You really are a Midnight Rush fan.”
He chuckles. “I walked right into that one, didn’t I?”
“Yes, but don’t worry. It’s a good thing. Makes up for your fear of mice.”
He winces dramatically. “Don’t talk about them.”
“About cute little harmless creatures? With tiny pink noses and big brown eyes?”
He holds up a finger, his expression serious, and I suddenly wonder if Adam is afraid of mice for real. “Stop or I’m cutting your naming privileges by half.”
I let out a little giggle because I literally can’t help myself.I haven’t had this much fun in ages. “You would make me pick my favorite two? That’s cruel.”
“Who would you pick if I did?” he asks, sounding genuinely curious. “If Taylor only has one boy, what would you name him?”
“Deke,” I say without hesitation. “That’s easy. He was always my favorite.”
Adam’s eyes sparkle. “Not Freddie? Isn’t he the famous one?”
