We’re nothing.
Not even friends.
Definitely not lovers.
I stare down at the food in my lap, making myself eat, but not actually tasting it.
When I finish it’s my turn to re-record some of the vocals on the bridge.
I head into the booth and when I sit down, slipping the headphones on, I look out and she’s gone.
* * *
Once again, I find myself lingering as the guys go back to the hotel and Hayes leaves.
I made it seem like I was leaving since Mia had to stay behind to clean up, restock the refrigerator and do other odd things around the studio.
Now, I slip back inside. Already, she has music playing. I can’t place the song, it’s not one I recognize but it’s hypnotic. The female’s voice alluring, the words poetry.
I stalk through the studio and find her in the kitchen area, standing on her tiptoes to place a box of cereal on a top shelf.
“Let me get it,” I say, reaching out for the box.
She startles, and jumps, falling into my chest. Her body is soft and warm against mine, her curves pressing into me.
“Don’t sneak up on me like that,” she seethes, slapping my chest. It leaves a sting, but I know I deserve it. I didn’t mean to scare her, but I should’ve known I would.
I put the cereal away and face her.
“I thought you left,” she accuses. “Why are you still here?”
“You left,” I blurt.
Her brows furrow. “Uh … no. I’m pretty sure I’ve been here the whole time.”
I shake my head. “No, the recording room. You left when I went in.”
“Oh.” She looks away, nibbling her plump bottom lip.
My eyes zero in on her lips and I’m helpless to look away.
“Why?” I ask.
It shouldn’t matter.
It doesn’t matter.
Lies.
It does matter.
She shrugs, wrapping her arms around herself. “It’s too much,” she finally responds after a moment of pause.
“What is?” I ask, and somehow I’ve moved closer to her without doing it consciously.
She swallows thickly. Her impossibly blue eyes, so striking with her red hair and creamy skin, look helplessly up at me.
“Feeling.” Her answer is no more than a whisper. Barely a breath.