Page 81 of New Day at the Beach House

How are they coming?

She glanced at the page. She’d barely started. They’re coming. Just noodling.

I’d ask you to noodle here but it’s not fair that you have to come to me all the time. Probably not the best writing environment, either. I wish we could spend more time together. There. I said it. I miss you.

She let out a little laugh. I miss you, too. That’s why I texted.

I really need to hire a manager who can do my job. At least most of it.

Do you really think that person exists?

I’m not sure, but I hope so. Placing an ad tomorrow.

She sat up. She thought he’d been kidding. You’re serious?

Very. How else am I going to see more of you?

She hadn’t been expecting that. At all. I’d love that. She started to type more, about how if the song took off, she’d be going on tour and that would mean time away, but she deleted everything and just stared at the screen.

That was a conversation better had in person. Instead, she wrote, Maybe we could do breakfast tomorrow? I’d really like that.

So would I. How about my place? Ten okay?

She’d never been to his place. She nodded as she typed, It’s great. See you then.

He sent back a one-line address along with a thumbs-up. She knew he was just up the street, but she hadn’t known exactly which house.

Breakfast at his place was the perfect time and place to talk about what the future held. She wasn’t looking for any major commitment. She just wanted to know where his head was at concerning them, although if he was hiring someone so that he could have more time off to spend with her, that was a pretty good indicator right there.

She worked a little more on the song but was preoccupied thinking about Jesse. There were worse things to get stuck on. She closed up the third floor and went back downstairs to get ready for bed. Toby was still on the couch, but he hopped down when she came in. “Let’s go do one more pee-pee before bed.”

She grabbed his leash and took him down in the elevator. He went straight to the grass and did his business, then kicked his back feet a few times, throwing a little grass over the spot. She laughed. “All right, time for bed.”

She took him up, wiped his feet off, then hung his leash in the laundry room. He looked longingly at his food bowl. She peeked into it. There was still some kibble in there, but the bottom was visible. She shook her head. “I know you think if you can see the bottom then the dish is empty, but that’s not true, Tobs. Eat what’s left.”

The bedroom light was on when she opened the door. Her mom was sitting up in bed, reading.

“Good book?” Jules asked softly.

“Not bad.” Her mother looked over. “But you can’t really tell with a thriller. Sometimes they fall apart in the end. Were you working on lyrics?”

Jules nodded. “A little. I didn’t get much done. Which is fine—I’m making good progress.”

“I thought maybe you’d go over to see Jesse tonight.”

She got her sleep shirt out of the dresser. “We’re having breakfast in the morning.”

“How’s all of that going?”

Jules sat on the side of her bed. “You mean me and Jesse?”

Her mom nodded.

“It’s going pretty well. I like him a lot. He’s been incredibly helpful. He’s making it possible for me to record the demo that Billy wants. He got musicians and backup singers, and he’s providing the studio space. I’d be in a fix without him.”

Her mom set her e-reader down. “Do you like him for what he can do for you? Or do you like him for him?”

“I like him for him. I really do. But I’m worried he might think the former. That’s something I plan on talking to him about tomorrow. That and where we’re going.”

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