Chapter 43

I pulled up to Billie's place just as the sky faded into a deep navy, the last traces of daylight slipping away. The familiar buzz of anticipation hummed in my chest as I parked and grabbed my bag, my phone still in my hand.

em bby: I'm here. Try not to explode from excitement.

Before I could even lock my car, the front door swung open, and Billie leaned against the frame, arms crossed, smirking. "Took you long enough."

I rolled my eyes, stepping inside. "I literally just left the studio."

"Exactly," she teased, shutting the door behind me. "Should've teleported."

I laughed, setting my bag down before pulling out my phone. "You wanna hear the track or just bully me for being a normal human with normal travel time?"

Billie's expression shifted instantly, her teasing demeanour softening as she reached for my hand. "Obviously, I wanna hear it. I've been waiting all day."

We moved to the couch, Billie tucking her legs under herself as I pulled up the track. As soon as the first notes hit, she closed her eyes, head tilting slightly like she was absorbing every sound. I watched her reaction as much as I listened to the song-her subtle nods, the way her lips curved when a certain melody hit.

When the last chorus swelled, her eyes fluttered open, and she turned to me. "This is so good," she murmured, almost like she was still lost in it. "Like... this is next-level, Em. It feels real-like you."

A warmth spread through me, her words hitting deeper than I expected. "Yeah?"

She nodded, her gaze steady. "Yeah. You've never sounded more yourself."

I let out a slow breath, my fingers playing with the hem of my sleeve. "That's what I was hoping for."

Billie grinned, nudging my shoulder. "Well, mission accomplished. Also, I'm obsessed, so you have to play it again."

I laughed but hit play without hesitation. This time, Billie grabbed my arm, pulling me closer as she listened, her thumb absentmindedly tracing patterns against my skin. It was so easy being around her like this-like the outside world didn't matter for a little while.

By the time the song ended for the second time, she exhaled deeply, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Okay, so when do I get the whole album?"

I smirked. "Patience, B. Good things take time."

She hummed, leaning her head against my shoulder. "Fine. But you are staying over again, right? I feel like I need to steal all your studio energy and make it my own."

I chuckled, wrapping an arm around her. "Yeah, I'm staying."

Billie grinned, shifting to get more comfortable against me. "Good. Now, tell me all the behind-the-scenes drama from today."

So I did. I told her about Danny's little jabs, about the struggle of getting one section just right, about the moment when the song clicked. And as we sat there, wrapped up in easy conversation and each other's presence, I felt that same pull-the one that kept building, the one that made every moment with her feel like something bigger.

But not yet.

For now, this was enough

--

The room was dimly lit, a soft glow from the bedside lamp casting warm shadows along the walls. Billie's place was quiet, the kind of peaceful that made it easy to forget about everything else for a while. The weight of the day had settled, leaving only the two of us wrapped up in the comfort of being together.

I sat cross-legged on Billie's bed, tugging the sleeves of the hoodie she had given me over my hands. It was big, soft, and smelled like her-there was no way she was getting it back. Billie lay stretched out beside me, head resting against the pillows, her fingers lazily drumming against my thigh as she stared at me.

"You're thinking about something," she mused, her voice soft in the stillness.

I sighed, flopping back onto the bed. "Just... the album. Danny keeps reminding me that we're so close to finishing, which means I actually have to let people hear it soon."

Billie rolled onto her side, propping her head up with her hand. "That is the goal, right? You do want people to hear it?" she teased, smirking.

I shot her a playful glare. "Obviously. It's just-ugh. I don't know. It feels real now, and I guess I'm stalling a little."

Billie reached over, tugging at the sleeve of her hoodie. "So don't stall. Invite people over this week, let them listen, get their thoughts."

I exhaled, staring at the ceiling. "Yeah... I did say I would. Maybe Friday? Just a small group, nothing crazy."

She grinned. "Ooooh, an exclusive listening party? I feel so honoured to be on the guest list."

I laughed, nudging her with my foot. "Like you wouldn't have crashed it even if you weren't invited."

"Obviously," she said with a dramatic eye roll. "You're not getting rid of me that easily."

I let my head turn to face her, my smile softening. "I know."

For a moment, the conversation faded into something quieter, something unspoken but understood. Billie's fingers brushed against my wrist, her touch light, almost absentminded, but enough to send a warm ripple through me.

"Friday, then?" she murmured.

I nodded. "Friday."

She grinned, clearly pleased. "Good. Now come here."

I barely had a second to react before she pulled me toward her, her arms wrapping around me as I laughed into her shoulder. The world outside didn't matter-not the pressure of the album, not the anticipation of what was next. Right now, it was just us.

And for tonight, that was more than enough.

The warmth of Billie's arms around me made it hard to think about anything else. I let myself sink into her, my head resting against her shoulder as she absentmindedly traced slow circles on my back. The quiet of the night wrapped around us, making everything feel smaller, safer-just ours.

"You're gonna kill it on Friday," Billie murmured against my hair, her voice low, soothing.

I sighed, letting my fingers toy with the hem of the hoodie. "You think so?"

"I know so." She pulled back just enough to meet my eyes, her expression soft but certain. "Your music is insane, Ember. And I know you-once you finally let people hear it, you'll be glad you did."

I studied her face, the conviction in her voice easing something in my chest. Billie didn't say things just to say them-when she believed in something, she meant it. And she believed in me.

A small smile tugged at my lips. "You make it sound easy."

She smirked. "It is easy. You just have to let go and-" she suddenly flipped us so I was on my back, her weight settling over me, "-trust me."

A breath of laughter escaped me. "That's your big motivational speech?"

She grinned, her hands bracing against the bed on either side of my head. "That, and..." she dipped down, pressing a soft kiss to my jaw, "I think you're hot when you're confident."

Heat rushed to my face, but I rolled my eyes. "Wow. So inspirational."

She chuckled, shifting to press another kiss just below my ear. "I can be inspirational when I want to be."

"Mhmm," I hummed, trying to sound unimpressed, but the way my breath hitched kind of gave me away.

Billie smirked, clearly noticing, and I felt her shift her weight slightly, her lips brushing mine teasingly. "You staying over again?"

I let my fingers graze her side. "I said I was didn't I?"

Her eyes flickered with something playful, something knowing. "I think if you did leave, I'd just follow you home."

I grinned. "Stalker behavior."

She rolled her eyes dramatically before leaning down to kiss me again, this time slower, deeper. It wasn't rushed or hurried-just soft, lingering, like she had all the time in the world.

When she finally pulled away, she rested her forehead against mine. "Stay," she murmured.

I tightened my grip on her hoodie, pulling her closer. "I'm not going anywhere."

Billie smiled, a flicker of something unreadable in her expression before she rolled off me, tugging me against her as we settled under the covers. The weight of the day, of my nerves, of everything, faded as she held me close, her fingers idly tracing shapes against my arm.

And as I drifted off, the last thing I heard was Billie's voice, quiet in the darkness.

"You're gonna blow them away, Em."

-

The early sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. I stirred, blinking against the light, only to realize that Billie was already awake.

She was lying on her side, watching me with a sleepy but amused expression. "Morning, beautiful."

I groaned, stretching against the sheets. "Too early for compliments."

She chuckled. "Get used to it. You're about to have a whole room of people hyping you up in a few days."

I exhaled, rubbing my hands over my face before sitting up. "Don't remind me."

Billie smirked, pushing herself up beside me. "Come on, get up. You've got work to do, and I'm not letting you be late."

I rolled my eyes but didn't argue. I had a session with Danny today, and as much as I wanted to stay wrapped up in bed with Billie, I knew I needed to get moving.

I dragged myself out of bed, grabbing my phone before heading into the bathroom. As I stood in front of the mirror, tying my hair back and reaching for my skincare, Billie wandered in a moment later.

She wrapped her arms around my waist from behind, her chin resting on my shoulder as she watched me in the mirror.

"You're so serious in the mornings," she teased, her voice still thick with sleep.

I smirked, applying my cleanser. "I have a routine."

Billie hummed, her hands slipping under the hem of my hoodie to rest against my stomach. "I like watching you."

I arched a brow at her reflection. "You're literally half-asleep."

She grinned. "And yet, still enjoying the view."

I laughed, shaking my head. "You're ridiculous."

"Mhmm," she agreed, pressing a lazy kiss to my shoulder.

I felt her smile against my skin, and for a second, I forgot about the session, the album, everything. It was just me and her, wrapped up in a quiet morning that I kind of wished could last forever.

But eventually, I finished my routine, turning in her arms to press a quick kiss to her lips. "I gotta go."

Billie pouted. "Fine. But text me when you get there."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Yes, mom."

She smirked. "You wish I was your mom."

I burst out laughing, swatting at her arm as I stepped past her. "You ruined the moment."

She just grinned, watching me with an amused glint in her eye as I grabbed my bag. "Go make some magic, Ember."

I smiled, giving her one last look before heading out the door.

And as I walked to my car, my phone buzzed with a message.

Bills <3: You're still wearing my hoodie, aren't you?

I looked down at myself and smirked before typing back.

em bby: Maybe... Guess you'll just have to come steal it back.

Her reply came almost instantly.

Bills <3: I just might.

I chuckled, shaking my head as I climbed into the car.

Yeah. Friday was going to be interesting.