Free Haze by Andrea Wolfe

was even prettier up close. I swallowed a lump in my throat as she got to us.
    "I had to hear how the new song was working out. It was fabulous."
    I instinctively watched their body language, assuming the wo rst. They were close, no doubt—but I couldn't see anything beyond a working relationship no matter how hard I tried. "Lexy, this is Effie. Effie, this is Lexy."
    I stood up and shook her hand. " Lexy, you were great! You're super talented."
    She blushed, surprising me with her humility. "It's all Jack," she said. "I won't lie—he's really helped me learn my identity as a songwriter."
    "Yeah, but I don't waste my time on just anyone." He looked at her so proudly, with so much admiration. The look was almost paternal . He had apparently cultivated her, molded her into this artist who was now attracting major-label attention and turning heads wherever she went.
    "I was blown away," I said. It was the truth.
    "Well, thanks again for being here. I've got to run, though. I'm doing a late show at a private club." She looked at her cell phone. "And it starts in less than an hour."
    Jack laughed. "Okay, Lex. Give me a call when you're ready to go over that new material."
    She smiled and nodded. "Nice meeting you, Effie."
    "Same to you! Good luck tonight." Saying good luck made me feel stupid because she was really good and obviously didn't need any luck. Just a platitude that slipped out.
    Lexy headed back to the stage to finish packing up her things, leaving Jack and I alone once again. "She's great," I said. "Not that you need to be told that."
    "Undoubtedly. Do you want to get going soon?"
    A part of me wanted to ask him where he suggested we go. However, I really liked surprises, so I kept my mouth shut. "Sure."
    I took his hand as we stood up, holding it as he led us out of the restaurant and into the night. God, just touching him again made me fill with electricity, a sensation that made me tingle. I hadn't felt this way about anyone in ages. Not ever , really.
    Meeting Lexy actually made me feel good, especially after hearing Jack's rant about the music industry and how it treated performers. It still was possible that he was just ripping her off to make himself money, but I didn't think it was the case. I believed he truly had her best interests in mind, no doubt. I wished that I had a time machine so I could go forward in the future and see just how big she would become...
    "Something on your mind?" Jack asked. We were walking down crowded streets, the cool summer air blowing against us. I was sticking close to his body.
    "I had a nice time tonight," I said.
    He stopped abruptly. "Oh, so you're already calling it quits?"
    "No! That's not what I meant." By the time the words were out, I realized he was playing.
    "You're excited to go out clubbing? We can go take some ecstasy and dance all night! Is that what you meant?" That same sly smile returned.
    "Jack! I have to work tomorrow. And I hope you're kidding about the drugs." Dancing sounded fun, but I was going to take a rain check for now if he pushed it.
    He started laughing again, that innocent, deep laugh. "I'm not gonna lie—I've tried the stuff. But I'm past that now. Those were some wild nights on the west coast."
    All of this random history gave him a something of a former bad boy persona. I liked it, actually. I just didn't plan on doing any drugs myself. "Do you still perform anymore?" I asked.
    "On occasion. I can sing and write songs, but I don't really feel like I'm a singer. I like to write songs for others now. I feel like that's my real gift. And arrangements."
    "You're probably really good," I said, thinking that for some reason it would mean something to him. "But I don't know anything."
    Jack smiled and leaned down to kiss my cheek. "That's what makes you so good. You're not full of shit like the other ninety-nine percent of people I meet. Effie, you're honest."
    In that moment, I didn't care if he was just trying to make me feel good. I didn't know