Page 56 of A Love Song for Dreamers

“When’d you get the ink on your hand?” I ask over my shoulder as I grab the hair dryer I nearly forgot from mybathroom.

“In between shows on tour. I wanted to cover up something ugly with somethingbeautiful.”

When I return from the bathroom, he’s reclined on thebed.

I tuck the dryer in the front pocket of my bag beforestraightening.

“You’re beautiful, Tyler. You will always bebeautiful.”

I reach for his scarred hand and lift it to mylips.

His skin is rough and warm, and I want more of him—all ofhim.

“Whatever’s between us now…” I take a long breath. “It can’t stop me from going to New York. And neither canyou.”

He pulls his hand back and rises from the bed, his clothes tugging across the strong, deliberate lines of his body. “I know. I’ll take your bag down to thecar.”

* * *

After my flightarrives at La Guardia, I stop by my apartment to drop my things and change. It feels strange to be back after only a week away. It’s my space, filled with things Elle and I love, but suddenly I’m noticing what isn’t here—big, bright windows everywhere letting in natural light, the sound of Sophie’s feet thudding on the carpet as she tears into a room or out ofit.

Elle texted to say she’s working all weekend, hustling out some gigs with a new agent, and might not be backtonight.

In my tiny room, I change into a fitted red dress that ends partway down my thighs. The neck is a V, and I open my jewelry box to search for a chain to wear withit.

My gaze lands on one in particular, and my stomachknots.

It’s still there, curled into one of the compartments, the rings preserved in time like therose.

My fingers itch, and I think how easy it would be to slip it over myhead.

In the end, I can’t decide on another necklace, so I go withoutone.

Ian wanted to meet at my apartment, but I told him we’d meet at a restaurant. I should’ve known something was up when he gave me the location. It’s the hottest place in town, inside a shiny, recently reopened Midtown hotel. It’s glass and minimalist elegance. The sky-high ceilings and white space scream money, as they’re meantto.

Ian’s waiting at a prime table when Iarrive.

My ex is the opposite of Tyler, though I never realized it until now. He’s quick with a smile, the life of a party, grew up with everything handed to him. His father’s in real estate; his mother in the arts. He did a combination of things, running galleries, but his real interest is in performancearts.

Ian wears a suit like a skin, as if he fell out of bed and slid effortlessly into the tailoredwool.

“Annie. You look gorgeous,” Ian says easily as I cross tohim.

I smooth a hand down my dress. The nude open-toe heels were the perfect addition for a business dinner somewherefancy.

I put the outfit on feeling as if I was going into a negotiation, but the way he’s looking at me, he’s not thinking offighting.

Ian steps close, hands resting on my bare arms. I turn my cheek so his kiss lands there, and I step out of his arms smoothly as the waiter holds mychair.

“Thank you for booking the restaurant. I’m glad we have an opportunity to talkbusiness.”

“Thank you for coming. Let’s order first.” He gets steak, and I order salmon. Once the waiter disappears, Ian grins. “Tell me what you’ve been up to with your family in Dallas. I hope I didn’t drag youaway.”

A glass of wine appears without my ordering it, and I take a sip, grateful. “My family is fine, thank you. I hope yours istoo.”

“You know my mom. It’s the middle of fundraising season, so she’s in herelement.”

I smile tightly. “The show’s nearly completed. As you know, I’m working on the lyrics for the last couple of songs. Honestly, I hoped it’d come faster. But they’re the mostimportant.”

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