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“Hey. Didn’t know you were coming tonight.”

“I almost didn’t.” Her eyes travel over me in a way that used to make the rest of the night pretty predictable. “Glad I changed my mind. You guys sounded great.”

“Thanks.”

She steps a little closer. “You going out after?”

“Probably staying here for a while. My family’s around.”

Chelsea glances past me, and I follow her gaze before I can stop myself. Ruby is talking to Briar, but her eyes flick toward me for a second before she looks away.

Chelsea notices. “Is that your neighbor?”

I look back at her. “Yeah. You remember that?”

“You turned me down the last time I saw you. It was memorable.”

I laugh because I can’t really argue with that.

Her attention shifts toward Ruby again. “She’s pretty.”

“Yeah.”

The answer comes out before I think about it, and Chelsea’s smile changes.

“That explains a few things.”

I don’t bother arguing with her.

She gives my arm a quick squeeze and heads to the bar. “If you change your mind about going out, text me.”

“I probably won’t.”

“I figured.”

A year ago, six months ago, maybe even a couple of months ago, I might have watched her walk away and reconsidered.

Tonight I barely notice.

I make my way through the room toward Ruby and the others, stopping twice when people catch me along the way. By the time I reach the group, Conlin has disappeared, and Lachlin is already talking about heading home. Jack is with a babysitter, but apparently that hasn’t stopped Lachlin from checking the monitor all night.

Briar looks at me. “Six times.”

“It exists for a reason,” Lachlin says.

They start saying goodnight, which leaves Ruby standing beside me with her hands tucked into the pockets of her jacket.

“So?” I ask.

She looks toward the stage. “You’re better live.”

I put a hand to my chest. “Ruby Cole, was that a compliment?”

She rolls her eyes. “Don’t ruin it.”

I smile. “I’ll try.”

Her gaze comes back to mine. “The new song sounded good.”