Page 118 of Touch in the Dark

“Oh really?”

“Yeah, she’s made a few comments. Makes out like she hates him. You know that whole enemies to lovers thing.”

“I bet you have a romantic trope for every person in this room, don’t you.”

“Obviously. We all know what yours is,” she grins. “Brooke… I don’t know. It could totally backfire if I try to step in. She deflects whenever I start talking about relationships.”

“She should get some pointers from Nick. Since Malibu we’ve only actually been apart those two days he was still in L.A.” I finish my drink and Jenna helpfully tops it back up.

“That’s a point. What is going to happen on the living situation?”

“We haven’t talked about it,” I shrug, but know it is something we will need to discuss. “Funny how we’ve ended up in the same situation you and Adam were in last year.”

“It all worked out for us. Although…”

“What?”

She looks troubled. “Nothing, well, they all agreed to come here for the album, and it’s done so…”

“You don’t know whether they want to stay?”

“That’ll work out for you at least,” she says with a pout.

“I don’t think anyone is going to do anything without talking it through. And, I don’t know Jen,” I look around. “They all seem really settled here.”

“And we’re back to worrying about you,” Jenna’s eyes go big again.

“Well… I mean, Instinct is based here, and I took the job with them, so…”

Jenna squeals and hugs me. Nothing is set in stone obviously and my studio is in L.A. I can’t live in Remi’s house forever, though I’m sure he’d let me. Things are still up in the air, but the most important thing is, we’re up in the air together. I’m not afraid of what is coming.

“So what do we do about Brooke? Do we meddle?”

“Well, it worked out when I stuck my butt all up in yours and Nick’s business,” she wraps an arm around me and gives me a squeeze before sitting back up.

“If you’re going to do it for Brooke, you need to brush up on your acting skills,” I advise gravely.

“God,” she covers her face with her spare hand and laughs. “That was red wine you know, on white shorts. Totally ruined. I loved those shorts,” she adds wistfully.

“That’ll teach you.”

“I should ask Remi for acting lessons.”

“He’d love that.”

“What does he think about you and Nick?” she asks.

“Approval granted,” I roll my eyes. “Apparently they talked that night we were all out, God knows when, Nick was practically glued to me all night. He says he’s happy for me. He’s like you, apparently you all knew Nick and I were destined.”

“Well, we are right, aren’t we?”

“Whatever,” I stick my tongue out at her, but she knows I don’t mean it. They were both right.

“So, I know he’s said he doesn’t want to get in touch with his dad, but what do you think about it?”

I’m momentarily confused at the sudden change in topic, then notice she is watching Nick who is deep in conversation with her mom.

“I can’t speak for him, Jen. I’ve never been in that position so I wouldn’t know how I would deal with it. He’s happy with the choice he made, and I have to respect that. Plus, his dad is an asshole, and his half siblings aren’t that much better.”

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