Page 22 of A Love Song for Dreamers

Or he’s rememberingit.

There shouldn’t be so many feelings colliding in mychest.

“And you are?” the woman asks me, jerking meback.

I should’ve had something to eat on the plane. That feeling in the air, that sense of unease lifting the hairs on myneck…

He’s standing in front of me wearing black and an unreadableexpression.

Tyler Adams might’ve changed in two years, but so have I. I’m better at hiding my heart instead of wearing it on mysleeve.

But that doesn’t stop me from draining my champagne beforeanswering.

“Too old for thisshit.”

6

There aredifferent kinds offamous.

There’s the famous that puts asses in seats at your latest show and fan pages in your results when you type your name into an internet searchbar.

Then, there’s the famous where you can’t cross a street without being ambushed. Even industry insiders rush you, only they do it with air kisses and stories rather than with selfierequests.

After a year of touring and an EP, I’m still closer to the first camp. But the man hosting this party will always rule thesecond.

The patio’s decked out with high-end décor and higher-end guests. The king of rock has come out of retirement to start a label, and everyone wants a front-rowseat.

It’s not Jax I’m lookingfor.

I search the crowd for Annie, and I finally spot her at the bar. It takes a few minutes for me to get to her, as I’m slowed by industry types who try to suck me intoconversations.

“I didn’t think I’d see you,” I comment once I fight my waythrough.

At the sound of my voice, Annieturns.

I’ve played big stages, but the moment those golden eyes fringed in dark lashes find me, I’m a fuckingnewb.

At being amusician.

At being aman.

Her dark-purple dress hugs her figure, and I can’t stop staring. Not because she looks fantastic, though she does, but because it’s been so long since I’ve seen her inperson.

“I didn’t think I’d walk in on you in the pool house with a girl. Again.” Her voice is low and smooth, with a hint of self-mocking. “Somehow, that wasn’t the most awkward encounter I’ve had thisafternoon.”

Annie looks past me at thecrowd.

I follow her gaze but don’t see where it’s landed. “In that case, I owe you adrink.”

“It’s an openbar.”

“Fine, I’ll buy youtwo.”

That earns me a reluctant smile as Annie orders a sparkling water and I get a gingerale.

“I wasn’t sure you’d be here, either,” she admits as she takes the drink from the bartender. “Heard you were in the studio inLA.”

“I’m on abreak.”

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