Rae's POV
"Thanks," I said softly. "I've had... a lot on my mind lately. But tonight's been nice."
He nodded, understanding flickering in his eyes. "Yeah. Sometimes you just need a night to breathe. No pressure, no expectations. Just music and decent company."
I tilted my head. "You're good company."
He grinned-that dimple flashing again. "I try. But you're making it easy."
We kept talking-music, he loved old-school hip-hop and indie rock, I confessed my secret obsession with 90s R&B ballads, favorite movies, he was a horror nerd, I loved psychological thrillers, worst date stories, his involved a girl who brought her pet parrot to dinner; mine involved a guy who talked about his ex the entire time.
He laughed at my jokes-really laughed, head thrown back, hand slapping the table ligh
