My friends Tasha, Sandra, Mia, and Tessy sat around my magnificent bed, their bodies sinking into the soft sheets and piles of plush pillows. They had rushed over the second I told them I had something important to share. We'd always shown up for one another, that was just who we were. High school besties who'd stayed close through everything, even after they left for college while I was homeschooled.
I smiled at my reflection in the tall standing mirror. My pink leather jacket over a fitted black dress hugged me in all the right places, making me feel confident and a little sexier than usual. My full, wavy hair was pinned away from my face, my lips glossed just enough to shine.
When I turned, the girls were waiting, curious, expectant, impatient. I placed my hands on my waist and finally said, "I met someone last week."
Their reactions were immediate.
"Oh my God, Mabel, is he hot? Rich-rich?" Tessy squealed, sitting up, her green dress riding up to show off her flawless legs.
"He must be very handsome to get your attention," Mia teased. "Does he own an oil company? Did you meet at a luxury restaurant?"
Sandra leaned forward, eyes wide. "Or is he a mafia boss? Tell me he's a mafia boss, please!"
I laughed and shook my head. Sandra was the youngest of us, she'd be twenty-five next year and was absolutely obsessed with mafia romance novels. I kept hoping she'd realize she wanted a fictional man, not a real one.
"No, Sandra," I said with a smile. "He's a singer. And he sings so well."
The room fell quiet for a moment. Then Tasha broke the silence. "Wait—Mabel, are you telling us you're dating a celebrity now? Who is he? Do we know his songs? Is he famous here?"
I sighed, my smile softening. "He's not a celebrity. He's just… a nice guy I saw singing on the streets with his guitar. His voice was incredible. I couldn't stop imagining my future with him."
Their jaws dropped.
"What?!" all four exclaimed.
Tasha blinked, staring at me like I'd lost my mind. "Mabel, are you serious right now? A street singer?"
I crossed my arms. "Yes. I have feelings for him."
Mia groaned. "You must be insane. What happened to rich men who own empires? You're literally the CEO of Andrews Luxe Corp. You can't be falling for someone who sings on the streets."
"Or a mafia boss," Sandra added with a dramatic sigh.
Tessy flipped her hair and said, "Mabel, be for real. An empty pocket can't buy you Louis Vuitton."
"Point of correction," I said firmly, "he isn't less. I like him for who he is, not for what he owns."
Tasha exhaled. "Mabel, are you sure about this? He's the first guy you've ever actually liked. Are you positive he's worth it?"
She wasn't wrong. I'd never been the romantic type. But something about this man, the way he sang, the emotion in his voice, had shaken something in me.
"I found out he sings for a living," I explained. "People said he's waiting for an opportunity to take things higher."
Sandra frowned. "So he's broke but ambitious. Cute, but risky."
Mia rolled her eyes. "You're supposed to have a knight in shining armor, not be his savior."
I smiled softly. "But what if I could make him a star? I have connections, I could help him rise."
Tasha gasped. "Mabel, no. You're not seriously thinking of investing in him, are you? Do you know how much that would cost?"
"The company is thriving," I said simply.
Sandra smirked. "At least tell us you've spoken to him."
I bit my lip. "Not yet. But I'm going to today."
Their disbelief was almost comical.
Tasha flopped back on my bed, scrolling her phone. "I can't wish you luck for something this ridiculous."
Mia rolled her eyes but finally said, "Fine. Good luck, Mabel."
Their voices were hesitant, their words half-hearted. But I didn't care. It was almost six, the time he usually came to sing. I had taken the day off work for this very moment.
"I'm going to meet him tonight," I said, grabbing my pink leather bag. "You girls can come if you want."
Tessy wrinkled her nose. "To the streets of Mexico? Hard pass."
"Yeah, I'm not chasing a busker down an alley," Mia added.
I just smiled. "Suit yourselves."
⸻
I parked my car beneath the familiar tree, my heart pounding as I spotted him. He was packing up his guitar, sliding the few coins and bills from his cap into his pocket. The evening breeze tugged at his brown hair, the dying sunlight catching on his jawline.
I hesitated, gripping my business card tightly. My palms were damp.
It was now or never.
Stepping out of the car, I walked toward him. He was scrolling through his phone, waiting for the bus, completely unaware that his life, and maybe mine, was about to change.
"Hey," I said softly. "I'm Mabel Andrews."
He looked up, his eyes catching mine. They were a warm chestnut brown, deep enough to make my breath hitch. I extended my hand, and after a pause, he shook it gently.
"Jake," he said. "Jake Harry."
His voice was smooth, low, the same voice that had haunted my thoughts all week.
"Well, Jake Harry," I said with a smile, "you should know your voice has been stuck in my head since the first time I heard it."
He chuckled. "Thanks. I've heard that before."
I hesitated, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "Do you… have a girlfriend?"
He laughed lightly. "No. I don't think I can afford one yet."
I couldn't help but laugh too. He was charming without even trying.
"Here," I said, handing him my card. "That's the address to my office. We should get to know each other."
He took the card, reading it carefully before slipping it into his pocket. His lips curved into a slow smile.
"We definitely should," he said.
And as he turned to board the bus, I stood there, heart racing, breath trembling, realizing this might be the beginning of something I could no longer control.