Page 7 of Love Out Loud

Lark groans. “If I had known you were going to bust out theater metaphors, I wouldn’t have answered the phone.”

“I’m glad you answered,” I say softly. “I like being here for you. Why didn’t you call me if you were feeling like this?”

The screen bounces as she shrugs. “I didn’t know if you were out, and I didn’t want to interrupt your fun.”

I search her eyes as best I can through the screen. Ten years without looking at her in person is too long, but neither of us has been able to get away. I make a mental note to see if I can shift a few things around now that this audiobook is probably dead on arrival to make it to Devin’s graduation.

“It’s never an interruption when it’s you.” I try to infuse as much honesty as I can into those words, because I mean it. I’d do a lot more than leave a bar if she asked me to.

She shrugs again. “I was just having a moment, you know? It’ll pass.”

It’s not worth pushing, so I just nod. “You’re my favorite person in the world. You know that.”

She covers her mouth against a huge yawn. Her eyelids start drooping. “It’s late here, and I have an early morning.” Then, her eyes pop open wide again. “Wait. You called me.”

I laugh lightly. “I did, but it’s not important. Go get some sleep. We can talk tomorrow.”

“Okay,” she says slowly. I can tell she wants to protest, but sleep is going to win. “Good night, Lennon.”

“Good night, Lark.”

I hang up and flip onto my back and clasp my hands over my chest to feel the gentle rise and fall of it with my breathing. I stare at my ceiling for a long time, wishing I could fix this for her. Or even just give her a big hug. Maybe steal some of Devin’s stuff and make her a shadowbox. Or get her an audition somewhere.

The realization that I might be able to solve both of our problems dawns on me slowly as my bedroom darkens completely with the setting sun. It’s so obvious. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it while we were on the phone. I must have been too consumed with her emotional state to see the solution that is so clearly staring at me.

Lark could narrate this audiobook. She’s done some voiceover work before, so she knows the basics. It would give her something to do, let her scratch an itch, and allow me to keep this project.

I remember Jessica’s picky nature with a groan. It’s probably a slim chance that she’d allow an unknown actress like Lark on this project. Then again, Lark can charm anyone if given the chance. Maybe I just need to warm Jessica up to the idea.

I pick up my phone to call Lark back but remember how exhausted she looked when we hung up earlier. She’s probably already asleep, and it isn’t worth waking her up for an opportunity that isn’t a sure thing. I’ll run this by Noah and Jessica tomorrow and then call her if they seem on board.

But I have a good feeling about this. For once, I have the opportunity to make Lark feel better, not the other way around, and the possibility makes me fall asleep with a smile on my face.