I walk away, and I don’t look back.

“How did it go?” Presley stops me in the communal area.

“Fantastic. I quit.”

A startled laugh bubbles out of her. “That’s fantastic?”

“Oh yeah.”

“Wow. I have no idea what to say. Congratulations?”

“That works. Hey, want to celebrate later? I’m going to watch Alex’s band play at the Saloon. I’ll be there around eight. You should come.”

A crease forms between her brows. “Alex? Alex Chambers, our client Alex?”

“The very one.” I grin. “Not my client though. Not anymore.”

She stares at me, eyes narrowed. “You sure you want a tagalong to that?”

“You wouldn’t be tagging along. I’m bringing other friends. You could meet them, since you’re new in town. Unless you don’t want to?”

She blinks. “Oh, no. I mean, yes, I absolutely would love to come. That would be great.” She beams at me.

“Great. I gotta run. I’ll see you later.”

Outside, footsteps slap the pavement behind me.

“Hey, Jane. You okay?”

I spin around. “I’m great. How are you?”

He blinks, baffled.

I smile. He’s so adorable when he’s confused.

He rubs the back of his neck. “Are you leaving? You never take a day off.”

“I’m not taking a day off. I quit. I don’t work here anymore.”

His mouth pops open. “Oh. Okay. And this is a good thing, it seems?”

“It’s great. I’m going to design clothes.”

He barks out a laugh. “That is . . . incredibly amazing.”

I nod. “Yeah. I think so too.”

We’re both smiling, looking at each other, and then Alex shoves his hands in his pockets and his gaze drops to the ground between us.

He takes a breath and meets my eyes. “Hey, listen, I’m in a band. We have a gig tonight. I mean, it’s not a big thing, we’re the opening act and it’s at the Saloon, but you should come. I’ll buy you a drink. To celebrate, I guess.”

“I’ll be there.”

We grin at each other like two idiots for a few long seconds, and I hold on to this moment, keeping it in my heart like a prayer. “Oh.” I glance down at my watch. Right. I have places to be. “I gotta run. Hugo needs me. But I’ll see you later, for sure.” On a whim, I lean up and kiss him on the cheek. Then I turn to leave, but he stops me with a hand on my arm.

“Wait, Jane.” His eyes devour me, and then a crease forms between his brows. “Who is Hugo?”

“A friend. He’s got an audition for a drag show and his partner is going to bail. I have to bring him a costume.”