Page 310 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

holds my attention in the mirror.

My fingers freeze on my eyeliner.

“Eventually, the tables will turn.

“He’ll start showin’ his ass.

“He’ll start gettin’ emotional.

“This is when you know you got him.

“‘Cause the more calm you are,

“the crazier he looks.”

He points at me.

“Remember that, angelo mio.”

// DEVIL IN A NEW DRESS — KANYE WEST //

He returns the black blazer to the closet, trades it for a leather blazer, lays it next to a mini skirt and camel sweater.

“This is you,” he says. “Fiercely you.”

His eyes lift to me.

“You’re not playing the part of CEO,

“Sonny. You are the CEO.

“You are the voice of the artists.

“You are the songwriter.

“You are the music.

“You are the fuckin’ label.

“It was born on the foundation of you,

“never forget that.”

He doesn’t blink, like⁠—

I believe it, your dad believed it,

so you have to believe it.

And water starts to pool in my eyes.

I don’t know what to do or say.

So I stand and drop the towel.

Andrew’s heavy gaze drags down,

and he swallows thick.