Page 21 of Broken Chords

“What do you mean, especially in my shoes?” I can’t help the defensiveness that leaks into my voice. I think but don’t say,You don’t think I deserve to fall in love?

But it’s as if Lauren hears my unspoken thought. “I just mean that if I were you and it were my career that was sort of a big question mark right now, Idon’t thinkI’dbe looking for anything that serious. I wouldn’t want someone pulling me in a different direction, when I already have a bunch of other considerations in play. But that’s just me. Maybe falling in love is exactly what you need.”

Her face is so sincere that I can’t hold her words against her. Instead I nod. “Thanks. Yeah. I don’t know. But I haven’t really had the opportunity to explore a normal relationship. So I’m going to, whatever that entails.”

“Have you told him?”

I arch an eyebrow, guessing I know what she’s referring to, but wanting to be explicitly clear before answering. “Told him what?”

She sighs and gives me a look, her lips pursed and her eyes narrowed. “That you’re Charlotte James.”

“You know …” I say slowly. “I’m not even sure he knows who Charlotte James is. I was playing the chord progressions for one of my songs when we played together last week, and he didn’t seem to recognize it.”

Lauren’s expression doesn’t change. “I’ve heard you playing chords like that. And it’s never the way it sounds on the radio, so that’s nothing to go by. And that’s not an answer.”

I shake my head and grin at her. “But you still recognize them.”

“That’s because I’m well trained in playing name that tune. It comes with being a music major. You’ll get good at it too. And if you’re already good, you’ll get even better.”

I laugh at that. “And Damian’s not good at it?”

Her eyes narrow even more. “Fine. Point taken. But from the way you’re still dodging the question and arguing about this”—she waves a hand in illustration—“I’m guessing you haven’t mentioned it.”

“No. The whole point is for that to be a secret.”

She considers that, her face relaxing. “I can see why you might not want to tell him at this point. But if things get serious between you, you probably should.”

“I’ll think about it.” She has a valid point. But I’m not ready to go there yet.

She stares at me for a few seconds before nodding. “Fair enough.”

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