When her face twists in confusion, I start to worry, but then her eyes are on me. “He did? Wow. Yeah, he’s the most amazing guy ever. Yeah, thank you. Can’t wait to meet you. Bye.”

Dropping the phone in her lap, her eyes are still burning into mine and I’m on edge, wanting to know what is going on. “What’s up? Who was that?”

Her lips curve as she moves into my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck. Leaning back to look at me, she says, “That was Stu Waters of Jelly Records, and he wants to meet with me on Wednesday to discuss my career. Not an internship. My singing career.”

“Holy shit! That’s awesome, baby,” I yell, hugging her tightly before kissing her hard on the lips. “Told you you were awesome.”

She smiles shyly, tears in her eyes. “You sent him my demo.”

Grinning, I nod. “I’m behind you one hundred percent, Avery. I believe in you.”

When a tear rolls down her face, I wipe it away quickly and she whispers, “I’ve never had someone believe in me.”

“Well, that’s because people are dumb. I’m actually very smart. Ask my mom, she’ll tell you.”

Her face breaks into a grin before she presses her forehead to my chin. “I think I love you, Jace.”

Everything stops. My heart, my breathing, time, everything. Just stops.

“What?”

Pulling back, she nods slowly, her tears streaming down her face. “I love you.”

“You do?”

She smiles. “I knew I did before this moment, but I’ve been so scared to give you all of me because of what happened with Caleb. But I couldn’t fight the feelings. I’ve loved you for a while. But now… Now, I just have to tell you. And if you don’t love me yet, I understand, but I—”

“I love you,” I say quickly, gathering her face in my hands as my eyes burn into hers. “I think I’ve loved you since the moment I met you.”

A sob breaks from her as she hugs me tightly, but that isn’t enough. Pulling away, I capture her mouth. For some reason, they’re different, our kisses. They mean more. They hold so much promise, and as our lips dance together, I know I’ll never have a more perfect moment than this.

Pulling back, she looks deep into my eyes and whispers, “Say it again, Jace.”

God, she is so perfect. Her eyes are hopeful, her cheeks flushed, but what I see most in the depths of those turquoise eyes is that she loves me. Completely. I think I’ve always seen it, but I wasn’t sure. Now I know. Smiling, I clear my throat free of emotion and whisper back, “I love you, Avery Rose Haverbrooke.”

Her name still scares me, especially the people behind that name. But that’s a distant thought as she grins, her tears falling faster down her sweet face as she nods. “I think I’ve been waiting to be loved by you. My whole life.”

And with that, suddenly my eyes start to itch.

Not because I’m a pussy.

It’s allergies.

And maybe because I’m so in love it hurts.

And also because I know I’ve been waiting my whole life to love someone like her.

Me: I think I’m gonna puke.

Jace: You’re not gonna puke, you got this.

Me: I can’t sit still, I think I’m having a panic attack! Did I take my meds??

Jace: You did, baby, you’re fine. This is your moment. Live it.

Me: I’m scared. What if he hates me? What if he thinks I suck! What if I forget the lyrics??

Jace: That won’t happen and it’s just a meeting, you don’t even have your guitar.

Me: What if he gives me one? What do I sing?!

Jace: My song.

That calms me a bit as I look around the brightly colored office. The lady behind the desk looks at me and gives me a smile, which I return. But then I’m freaking out again and frantically typing him back.

Me: Okay, what if he hates it?

Jace: Then he’s a douche.

Me: Jace! I’m freaking out!

Jace: lol, don’t, babe! Because when you leave that meeting, I’ll be waiting for you and whatever happens, we’ll do it together.

Biting into my lip, I know he’s right and I am so thankful he is waiting for me. I wish he had come up with me. I know, I shouldn’t depend on him, but I’m a nervous wreck. He was really against coming up, though, saying it would look bad for him to be there since this wasn’t his meeting, it was mine. Since he has been to so many meetings for different hockey teams, I decided he might be right. I know he’s only right downstairs, parked on the side of the road, but I really wish he had come with me.

Ugh, am I becoming one of those needy bitches?

Ack!

Looking back at my phone when it vibrates, I smile.

Jace: You got this.

Me: I love you.

Jace: I love you more.

I don’t think I’ll ever get used to those three words coming from his mouth. I’ve wanted to be loved by someone like Jace my whole life, and now I’ve got it. It’s freaking awesome.

“Ms. Rose? Stu will see you now.”

Whipping my head to the receptionist who is standing, waiting on me, I suck in a deep breath.

Oh Jesus, take the wheel. Please.

Swallowing hard, I get up and follow her through the office and to the empty conference room near the back. I look back at her, confused, and she smiles. “He’ll be right in. Would you like a drink?”

I shake my head frantically, but then I pause. You got this. I hear Jace saying it to me in my head, and I know he’s right. So, with a smile, I slowly shake my head, taking in a breath before saying, “No, thank you.”

“Okay, he’ll be right in. Have a seat.”

I do as she asks, surveying the room that is full of gold and silver records of some of my favorite artists. I did research on him before I came, and of course, Jelly Records is the home of some really big names.

And he called me.

Oh, hell.

Swallowing hard around the lump in my throat, I beg myself to be chill. I’ve got this. This is awesome. So many people beg for this chance, and I got it. I sort of don’t like how it came about since Jace contacted his dad to get Stu to listen. But then, why doesn’t it matter? Whatever way gets me there, I’m okay with. Well, not really. I’m not sucking dick to get to the top. I happily suck Jace’s dick, but that’s irrelevant. In this case, I’m okay with the circumstances. I just want to shine. I want to be something great.