Page 137 of When I Picture You
The breakup with Nash!
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I’m getting married in may and if the full song isn’t released by then I’m going to actually die
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When the song came on, Renee was shoveling ice into a cup. The opening notes hit her so hard, she flung ice cubes all over the floor.
“Excuse me?” Kadijah said from the register.
But Renee didn’t hear them. She knew that building melody—then Lola’s voice came in.
Too busy watching the stars, I didn’t see you watching me.
“Holy shit,” Renee breathed.
Kadijah turned to her. “Oh my god, is this …?”
Renee nodded. Her eyes felt round as dinner plates. Her hand still gripped the ice scoop.
“Uh, is that my iced coffee?” the customer said. Kadijah grabbed the half-finished drink from Renee so she could listen.
It was hard to explain the feeling in her chest. It was like a bird with a half-broken wing had taken flight anyway, swooping around with painful joy. Maybe Lola had changed the lyrics—but no, she hadn’t. Every reference she’d woven in was still there.
How long have we been in the middle of our love story?
All at once, Renee was transported back to Lola’s studio, dancing while Lola played guitar. To that night in the hammock, when Renee had realized she was falling for her. To their first true kiss under the stars, then the swell of happiness first thing in the morning at waking up beside her.
