4. Chapter 4
Lennon
Lark: What is the book called? I’ll buy it so I can read through it.
Lark: Or does Jessica have a scene she can send me for an audition?
I could barely sleep last night. I didn’t bother going to the club, even though Noah invited me out for Friday night drinks. I hadn’t meant to ask Lark to come out to LA for the summer. It just kind of slipped out. But now that I’ve said it, I’m having a hard time thinking about anything else.
Even though I know sensible and sturdy Lark would never.
And yet I can’t help but hope.
So when I roll over and see Lark’s texts, my heart starts galloping. Is it possible that she might actually agree to this?
Which is also about when my heart bottoms out. I hadn’t thought to mention that Jessica’s novel is a spicy romance. Or rather, I had thought to mention it. I just didn’t feel like shouting it over the ambient noise from Devin’s track meet.
Better she goes into this with her eyes wide open, I suppose.
Lennon: It’s called Sizzling Secrets by Jessica Jordans.
I chew on my lip while I watch the three dots appear and disappear at the bottom of the screen. Finally, a message comes through.
Lark: No way.
Lennon: Yes way. I can send you a PDF so you don’t need to buy it.
Lark: No need. I own it.
The next message is a picture of Lark holding up a copy of the book next to her face. She’s flashing an amused grin.
Lennon: I didn’t know you were a fan.
Lark: I saw it everywhere. I was curious. I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet, but I will.
Lennon: I’m suddenly nervous about this.
Lark: Why? Does she give away your bedroom secrets in it?
Lennon: I didn’t sleep with her.
Lark: My bad. I forgot. I’ll record an audition of a few pages at the office later today and send it over. Cool?
I stare at that message for a lot longer than I should. Ultimately, I hit the Call button at the top of the screen. The phone rings once before Lark’s face lights up in front of me.
I don’t even bother with a hello. “So, you’re coming?” I feel like a kid on Christmas morning—excited that I might get exactly what I wished for, but also not quite sure what’s coming.
Lark chews her bottom lip. “Were you serious about it?”
“Hell yeah, I was serious about it. I’d love to have you here, Songbird. I’m already making a list of all the things I want to show you.”
“What if Jessica doesn’t like the audition?” There’s a little trepidation in her voice, but I don’t miss the slight emphasis she adds to Jessica’s name. I decide to ignore it.
“She will. She’ll be grateful we found someone last-minute.
” That’s probably not exactly true, but I’ve been in meetings with Jessica all week and she did agree to listen to Lark’s audition, which is something.
“You’ll knock it out of the park. I’m sure of it.
” I’m trying not to sound too overeager, but the idea of having Lark here for the entire summer is making me smile like an idiot.
“I guess if she doesn’t like it, I’m back where I started, which isn’t so bad.” She looks off to the side as she says it, muttering more to herself than to me.
My heart cracks open. This isn’t the confident, self-assured Lark I went to high school with. When did that happen?
“She will love it, and either way, you’re coming out here for the summer.” Now that I’ve gotten my hopes up about spending time with her, I’m going to ensure that it happens. Audiobook or no. “You don’t need a reason to hang out in LA for a few months.”
Her eyes snap to the screen. “You’re the reason.” Then she says, quieter, “You’re the reason whether I record an audiobook or not.”
We stare at each other through the phone for a while, soft smiles creeping up both our faces.
I’m the first to break the silence. “I’m going to hug the shit out of you when you get off that plane.”
Lark’s smile turns mischievous. “Is that a promise or a threat?”