Page 145 of Composed
“Missed you, Riles,” Hendrix says, a stunning grin splitting her face.
“I missed you,” Riley echoes.
Then she glances my way, her gaze fixing on my nose.
“Hi, Cole.”
“Hey, Riley.”
“You can call me Riles.” She lifts a shoulder before spinning on her heel and heading back inside.
Hendrix hums softly, peering up at me. “You know, not everyone gets away with calling her that. She’s very particular.”
“Is that so?” My chest warms.
Riley is such a big part of who Hendrix is now. Having her approval, even just in a small way, has me feeling all kinds of smug right now.
“Hmm.” She scans my face, lips curling softly. “Right, let’s get this over with. But don’t say I didn’t warn you when Talia asks if you’ll sing at her wedding.”
I smirk. “I could be a wedding singer.”
Tinkling laughter wraps around me as she slips through the door and disappears inside the house.
I rock back on my heels, rolling my lips.
A long moment passes before Hendrix pokes her head around the frame. “Are you just gonna stand out there in the rain all night like a plonker or you coming in?”
“I’m coming.”
My feet are heavy as I force them over the threshold.
This is the first time I’m getting a peek into the life she chose over the one we planned.
A cactus sits on the shoe rack. There’s a coat hook, with more dangling coats than the two women living in this house should ever need. I scan every inch of the hallway, my pulse thumping.
My gaze snags on a gallery wall of album artwork.
“Are these all the ones you’ve worked on?” I ask her.
She looks up from untying her shoes. “Hm?”
“The frames?”
“Oh, no. Some, yes. Others are just my favourite albums. I’ve got another gallery wall in the living room, mostly My Chem and Avenged on that one.” She chuckles. “Sure you’re so surprised by that.”
“I’m feeling a little offended that we’re not up there.”
She grins and shakes her head, kicking her shoes off before she stands. “Who says you're not on the walls?”
“I mean,” I wave my hand, “the frames speak for themselves, Rixie.”
“Well.” Mischief glitters behind her pupils as she hisses. “Sucks to be you.”
I narrow my gaze. “Rixie.”
“Yeah?” She grins.
“I—”
