fingers had flicked across the guitar strings. My pencil danced with light, quick steps, reeling in the punch that h

warm and teasing. "You did, however, mak

ushing slightly. "Well, you were all out

he vacant chair on the other si

nt, and then I nodde

tar case beside him. "What did you think

g he had sung to me personally. "No, it

es crinkling at the cor

lence. So Alex leaned in and looked out. "So, Emma, wh

notion of freezing time. People in, people out, so fast, in a city like this. Drawing the

l. It's like what I try to do with music - to try to p

t. "It's a method that allows to capture something

spread in me. "Ok, so why do y

feel the way it does. Other times it's just a sen

fore?" he teased with that all-too

a noir movie, yeah. Mayb

fingers to a rhythm on the table. "And

n on‐stage energy. It's like that you're singing yo

, long minute, just looking. "Th

tingle of a connection, because you read this book. To push t

ries, feelings, people I've met. "Sometimes it's ju

our own musi

s therapeutic, in a way.

at, but I didn't inquire. "I'd like to

you're in luck. I p

g it all the time," I said, dism

– gloomy and querulous. I turned my face away, my mouth muffled with my scarf, hopi

kay?" he a

lied, with a dismissive w

e didn't pursue the matter. "So, what's

"Hmmm well I've always had this fantasy to go to Paris and do a

sounds amazing. Why h

s of my sketchbook. "Let's say you know life

light fade from Alex's face. "Funny thing, time," he whis

le. "Maybe I w

sed, his gaze intense.

zed me. I looked away again, and I had tears in my eyes. I g

e you're oka

my voice cracking. "Like .

dn't quite convinced him. I focus the spotlig

o cut a record, maybe even tour a little. But for the time being

" I replied, and I did mean

aybe I'll write a song one day about a myste

my nerves unclenched. "

alked about everything and nothing - favorite books, worst movies, the best street food in t

accidentally grazed mine. I jumped with a stab, and retreated, surprised

g? We didn't even really know each other, and I was

aris,' Alex finally piped up." Maybe I'l

uckled. "Oh, really? And what makes you t

n? I would sing the fuck out of you with my soulful t

ll smiling. "Tempting, bu

"But seriously, Emma, you should go. Don't

meaning. I swallowed, my throat tight. Y

ar on, and then off, its carry sling. "I should get going. But I want to see you ag

d and danced.

apkin and passed it to me. "Te

napkin," I s

nd felt my fingers hit against the napkin with his number. I tucked it inside my sketchbook, the corner of my lips lifting somewhat. Maybe I'd text him. Maybe I'd even give up enough of him for Paris. But for now I needed to go