Page 108 of Cadence
I point to the taped-up mic on the desk, the one we use to talk to the artists through the glass. He laughs, removing the headphones and setting them down.
A comfortable silence stretches between us, and I fiddle with my necklace, twirling the long chain around my finger, then letting it uncurl. He rolls his head to the side, cracking it loudly, his tired eyes meeting mine, a faint smile on his lips.
There’s something easy about being next to Maddox. Maybe that’s why this crush has lasted so long. It’s not that I think we’d work—hell, I know we wouldn’t. He’s too intense, too wired to the music, too…him.
But still.
In moments like this, when I really look at him; the angle of his jaw in the soft studio light, his lashes shadowing eyes that feel like they look straight into your soul, it’s hard not to want more than friendship.
Something shines in the corner of my eye, and I gasp, lunging forward, reaching under the sound desk and stretching along the floor.
“What are you—?”
I grin, popping back up with a coin between my fingers, reciting the rhyme my sister loves so much. “Find a penny, pick it up. All day long, you’ll have good luck.”
Maddox’s lips twitch, barely disguising his amusement. I hold it out to him, nodding toward it.
“Here.”
He rolls his eyes with a chuckle, opening his hand.
“What?” I laugh as I place it in his palm. “Since I won’t be at your new studio, you can’t havethisPenny”—I point to myself—“so you can have that one to bring you luck.”
He stares at it and snorts. “You’re a dork.”
I pick at the hem of my shirt, a flurry of nerves rushing through my stomach. “I’m gonna miss this,” I say before I can stop myself. “You. Here.”
As he turns, something shifts in his expression. “Penny…”
And that’s all it takes. Call it exhaustion from too many late nights, or how final tonight feels, or maybe it’s just me being impulsive again, but I lean forward and kiss him, soft, quick, barely a breath between friends.
He doesn’t kiss me back.
His body goes rigid, and he pulls away, scrubbing a hand along his jaw.
“Pen…” he says again, and there’s something in his voice that makes my heart drop.
“Shit.” I laugh, already shaking my head, burying my face in my hands. “Oh my god. I’m an idiot.”
“You’re not,” he rushes to say, his chair creaking as he leans toward me.
“I am,” I insist, smiling too wide, already backing away. “That was so dumb. I just… It’s late, I’ve had way too much caffeine, and clearly not enough self-respect.”
His brow pinches as he looks at me. “Wait…”
“No, seriously, it’s fine.” I wave him off. Grabbing my coat, I fumble with the sleeve, mortification rushing hot beneath my skin. “Let’s pretend that didn’t happen, okay? I made it weird. I read something that was totally in my head. I… I’m gonna go.”
He stands, concern etched deep. “Don’t leave. Just talk to me.”
I dig into my pocket, find the studio keys, and toss them to him on my way to the door.
“Lock up behind you.”
Fuck Steve and his rants tomorrow.
“Please, don’t go.”
Shaking my head, I laugh lightly, the sound more of a squeak than anything else. “I really need to go. I’ll see you soon, yeah?”
