Page 138 of Fauxmance

"Just going to see my mom."

I nodded. That made sense.

"You?" he asked.

"I have an appointment," I said.

"Sounds good."

Rolling my eyes, I rested my head against the elevator wall. Was this really how it was going to be between us now? Ugh. I wished for the days when we both felt comfortable enough to just talk to each other.

The doors closed, and as we started moving, I noticed the bag across Hayden's back.

It became so quiet I thought I'd go mad if I didn't say something.

"What's the guitar for?" I asked.

"Oh, I've got a private performance later," he said.

"So, no band?"

"No, just me."

"That sounds wonderful," I mumbled, trying to squash my jealousy. Someone was going to be privately serenaded by Hayden. Yes, please. Where could I sign up for that?

"I hope she'll think so," he said, still watching the numbers ascend.

I frowned.She?

Ugh.

Now, I really was envious.

We were between floors four and five when the elevator suddenly jolted to a halt.

"Oh my God," I said, looking around frantically. Not again.

"Magnolia," Hayden said. "It's okay."

I went to reach for my phone, forgetting for a moment that there was no service.

"Maggie," Hayden said again just as I was contemplating yelling for help.

My eyes went to him, and I frowned. Hayden was giving me a soft smile, and I didn't know when, but he'd somehow found time to bring out his guitar.

"I wanted to tell you something."

"Hayden, can this wait? We're stuck. Again, and I was just on my way to freaking out."

"No, it can't," he said. "And we're not stuck. I pulled the emergency button."

Glancing down, I saw that he was telling the truth.

I stared back at him with confusion.

"Why would you do that?" I asked.

"Because, like I said, I have something to tell you."

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