Page 49 of The Beat Match

She practiced a jazz rhythm next, harmonizing the melody, a weave of notes from delicate to robust, along with a few flat clunkers that hurt her ears. She slowed her breaths, rocked her body to feel the sound and melody. Feel don’t listen, Wes had said. She played until she was nothing but breath and movement, no drama punching holes in her heart.

Music was freedom. It was escape. The only way to unlock that privilege was to first master the rules. Build then break. Create then dismantle.

Drown the sad with glory.

She hadn’t quite reached glory, but this rhythm was doing it for her. It would be cool to use the piece in her DJ set. Add some soul funk to the jazzy beats.

She snuck a glance at her phone. The screen was lit, and her fingers hit an off note.

She hated how uneasy she felt, anxious and jumpy. She wasn’t sure asking Duncan out was the smart move, even as friends, but this quiver in her stomach wasn’t all hesitation. This clammy sinkhole was rejection and longing, topped with a dollop of grief. On top of Wes’s sexual brush-off, she might have lost her best friend.

She walked over to her phone and checked the message.

Duncan: I was thinking about you this morning. Wondered if you’d had a chance to chat with Wes yet. He’s looking worse for wear.

She stared at the text until her eyes burned. Was Wes haggard because he regretted his abrupt rudeness? Was he having second thoughts? Just as quickly she squeezed her eyes shut. She was so done with her pathetic pining. Instead of texting Duncan back, she dialed his number.

“Is something wrong?” Duncan asked in a hushed tone. “Did you speak to him?”

“This actually isn’t about Wes. I have a question.”

“Oh.”

His flat reply shouldn’t hurt, but she was a giant bruise, the slightest hint of rebuff poking her insecurity. “Did you want to go out sometime? Not as a date. Like, there will be no benefits, to be clear. Zero peer pleasure. I just thought it would be nice to hang out as friends. Grab dinner or something. We’d split the bill, of course. Because no benefits will be happening. And if you’re busy that’s cool, because I’m thinking I’m babbling and we should hang up and pretend I never called.” She rolled her eyes, horrified with herself.

Duncan laughed. “You’re cute when you’re nervous.”

Cute wasn’t the word she’d choose. “It’s been a rough week. But you’re easy to be around, and I need a night out with no heavy topics. I promise I’m not always this weird.”

“Weird works for me, and I’ve noted the benefit clause. But I choose the restaurant and insist on paying for dinner.”

She slumped, relieved at his willingness to go out as friends. “I’d usually argue, but I’m desperate. What are you thinking?”

“I actually read a great write-up about Angelonia—trendy French fusion place. How’s tonight?”

“I’m working tonight, but I’m free tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow it is. And Annie?”

She bounced an agitated knee. “Yeah?”

“If you change your mind on the benefits, you won’t get an argument from me.”

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15

Duncan picked Annie up right on time, his bright smile still blinding. His cologne still made her nose itch, and he was still dressed to attend a board meeting, but his first words to her were: “You look ravishing.”

Her crushed ego gave its first feeble signs of life. “You look pretty handsome, too. For a friend’s night out,” she added.

A pleasant drive later, he led her into a boisterous restaurant. “It’s not an all-night rave, but the food’s supposed to be outstanding.”

The red brick walls reminded her of Wes’s condo, as did the minimalist art, but laughter and noise lifted with the jazz tunes, warming up the space. Tables were spread out, lining the long room. “It’s perfect. And I like the music.” The chefs in the open kitchen moved like a choreographed dance troupe. Bartenders dressed in black popped ice cubes and shook drinks. “Classy but cool. Excellent choice.”

Duncan blushed, the modesty surprising but cute. “Only the best for my no-benefit friend.”

He placed his hand on her lower back as they were led to their table. Not quite a friend move, but the attention was nice.