Was it possible to recognize a person by their footsteps? Jane didn’t need to look up to know Rob was the one who arrived second, taking a spot at the table along with her. [b]“You look like you got way better sleep than I did.”[/b] Jane smirked and met his eyes. She needed to stop singing the songs that brought up memories of their relationship, because right then, that was all she could ponder. Did he kiss the same? Or still talked in his sleep when he drank too much? Did he still hum while doing chores? Did Mae ever gently place her hands over Rob’s to stop him from drumming on the table, like Jane did? But those thing didn’t matter any more, did they? Rob wasn’t in love with Jane any longer. They were…’cool.’ But that was just enough for her heart to hold onto. However, in that moment, she would hop onto the desk and scramble to him if she could. “I’m still working off the sleep deficit I racked up in my twenties.” Jane’s stare was ripped away from Rob as Sam, then Austin filed in and took their seats. It was funny, they all sat with empty space in between them, like strangers in an airport terminal. Austin was closest to Jane, and she reached a hand which he slapped goofily. Sam was the first to speak up. “So we need a demo done. Let’s get started on-“ “Actually,” Jane piped in, with about 75% less confidence that she did in their meetings a decade ago, “I have a song. Melody, harmonies. If you guys don’t mind…” She looked to Austin, who nodded for her to continue. “It goes like -“ Jane pulled her legs up to criss cross, then closed her eyes. “Knew karma would catch up to me one day, in her way,” Jane’s voice had matured with age, growing in texture and depth. Her natural rasp had become more pronounced with extra years of smoking, but she was still able to glide through runs with ease. She was singing quietly, but the song itself was one she wanted to belt on the record. And maybe one day, on stage. “She said she’d take him away, but I didn’t believe,” A few more bars went by - Jane didn’t dare open her eyes. “Now when I sleep, it’s all alone…” Jane popped an eye open, then another before quickly closing her book and taking a breath. “Then you know, repeat chorus, blah blah blah.” “It could work,” Sam huffed begrudgingly, “I might want to change some things.” This wasn’t the battle Jane wanted to win with him, so she nodded with a smile. “Totally fine.” “Alright then, boys,” Austin stood, grabbing his case. “We got a song to write. You’ll be back when?” “Oh, yeah,” Jane scratched her head “I, uh, gotta call my sponsor then my therapist is calling around noon. Let me know when you’re ready for me to record, I should be done by one.” Austin nodded, giving his approval and shooing her up the stairs. [center]***[/center] After explaining how the fantasy Jane had created of uniting with Rob didn’t go quite as planned, both her sponsor and therapist came to the same conclusion: move on. “I’m just worried it’d rock the boat with him.” “Why would it?” Dr. Mickal responded on the other line. “If it doesn’t seem like Rob has these feelings for you, why limit yourself?” “I guess you’re right.” “We want to get you back to the old Jane right? Not the partying Jane, but the one that was outgoing, fun, bold. I know she’s still in there.” Jane chuckled. “I’m not so sure.” “You said you know lots of people in LA, yes?” the doctor asked. Jane groaned. “Yes.” “Set up a date for yourself. An old friend, someone you think you may have a spark with. Get out of that house and loosen up a bit.” Jane sighed deeply. “Fine. I’ll make a call.” “Good, same time tomorrow?” “Yes, ma’am.” [center]***[/center] Jane descended the stairs as quietly as possible to find Austin watching the studio room through the glass. It looked like Rob was tracking drums while Sam fiddled with the knobs and levers in the booth. “He has no idea what he’s doing,” mumbled Austin, turning to Jane. “Why the smile?” “I have a date tonight,” Jane bit her lip, containing a smile. “This is [i]major[/i]!” Austin exclaimed, but Jane instantly shushed him with a punch to the arm. “Sorry, sorry. Hasn’t it been years? Who is it? Oh my god, are you gonna get [i]laid?![/i]” “Re-lax, breathe,” Jane chuckled. “It’s Jared, that guy whose house we stayed at in AZ that one time.” “Ah, the one with the sister Rob fucked.” Jane shot daggers with her eyes, but he only responded by sticking his tongue out. “Yes, that one. He moved to LA a couple years ago with his band. Sober. I think it’ll be nice.” “And…” “I’m not ready for that. God, I don’t even know what I’d do if he tried to kiss me,” Jane continued to whisper, thinking aloud more than speaking to Austin. “God, I’m nervous.” “You’re really not gonna try for Rob, huh?” Austin remarked, keeping his eyes on what was happening beyond the window. “I…I don’t think I have a choice, Aust. I’ll always be in love with him but, waiting around hasn’t done me any good, and,” Jane swallowed a lump in her throat, “it’s time to move on.” “You always listen to your therapist but not me.” Moments later, Rob came through the door and Sam called for Jane, letting her know it was time for her to record. She ripped the sheet from her notebook and rushed to the stool set up in front a mic obviously set up for vocals. “Let’s just test the sound,” Sam began through the microphone from the equipment booth. “Then, do your thing.” Jane looked to Austin through the glass, who was saying something to Rob, but gave her a big thumbs up when he saw. She then looked to Rob and tried her best attempt at a smile before turning to Sam. “Ready when you are.”