Page 98 of Just Wait

I’m still out of it and lethargic from partying last night, and I take a step back as I spot Theo. He has his arms crossed, and his booted foot resting against the wall behind him.

Grant is close to my back, and he needs to get into the room, so I slide to the side, falling into the wall for support.

Dammit.

Theo is every bit as handsome as he always has been, and I kinda hate him for it.

Or you hate yourself for still being attracted to him.

It’s definitely the second option, but I can’t just turn off that attraction in the same way I can’t flip a switch and magically not love him anymore.

That will take time.

Without a doubt, I know we can’t be together.

That isn’t going to change.

“What is this about?” I ask as Grant shuts the door.

Theo pushes off the wall, turning to face me. “I told Grant everything. They know you wrote the lyrics.”

My jaw falls, and my head shakes.

Wow.

I need to do some self-reflection because that feels like a betrayal, even though I straight-up told him I would sign whatever he needed.

He could have at least given some warning that this meeting was coming.

Except you’ve purposely been ignoring his calls and texts.

Grant strides over, taking a seat in one of the two chairs on this side of the desk. He gestures to the other and says, “Why don’t you have a seat?”

“The label would like to make an offer to buy out any contributions you may have made to the songs on—” The lawyer cuts off as the door next to me flies open.

Kincaid steps inside. His hair is wet, leaving slightly transparent spots on his white T-shirt. He turns to me, letting the door close behind him. “You should have left a note or told us you were leaving, especially since Kasey won’t be around until closer to the show.” He steps to the wall at my side. “Feel free to get back to whatever you were in the middle of.” He gets close to my ear and says, “I can smell a label lawyer a mile away.”

“This contract only covers independent contracting work done for Tangled Desires,” the lawyer says, staring at Grant.

“She’s not signing anything without a lawyer of her own to look over those documents,” Kincaid growls. “Ambushing anyone without the opportunity to bring their own counsel is shitty. Come on, Lumen.”

“Um, I’m okay,” I say, smiling tightly. “Thank you for coming to check on me, but this should be quick.”

“Yeah, man,” Theo says, nodding toward the door. “You need to learn to mind your business. This has nothing to do with you.”

Kincaid chuckles darkly.

The unfriendly sound sends a shiver down my spine.

I’m groggy today, and I just wanted to play around with Malcolm’s song. Having a random meeting with a lawyer is the last thing I expected to have to deal with, but I am open to hearing the offer.

I was going to sign either way, so if I can get enough money to start over once I’m back in Florida, I’ll consider that a win.

“Have you been involved in the creative process for any of Liminal’s songs?” the lawyer asks.

I blink like a deer caught in headlights.

Technically speaking, no.