MAKE ME LATE [Intro — voice and fingerpicked guitar] You shouldn’t have to miss me When I’m standing here with you. [Verse 1 — conversational, gently rhythmic] Your hair’s still wet, you’re wearing my shirt. I’m halfway out, talking ’bout work. You say, “You haven’t heard a word I said.” I put my keys down. “Tell me again.” You shake your head, but you’re trying not to smile. I’ve seen that look; it’s just been a while. You catch my sleeve as I’m walking past. I kiss you once. You say, “Better than that.” [Pre-Chorus — melody begins to climb] There goes the train I meant to catch. Come here. Kiss me back. [Chorus — open, warm, easy to sing] Make me late, Let the coffee go cold. Pull me closer, a little closer. I’ve got someone to hold. I’ve been giving you tomorrow. You’ve been needing me today. For once, let the whole world wait. Make me late. [Post-Chorus — soft, rhythmic] Five more minutes, Then five more. I forgot what I was Rushing for. [Verse 2 — subtle guitar-body pulse] There’s a picture underneath a takeaway menu, Dinner on the floor when I first met you. Two plastic forks and a bottle of red; We stayed up talking till the neighbors left. Now we’ve got a table, but we eat there late, You telling me your day while I clear my plate. You still kiss me like that picture. I’ve been kissing you halfway. [Pre-Chorus — tender, smiling] You pull my chair back next to yours. I sit down. Tell me more. [Chorus] Make me late, Let the coffee go cold. Pull me closer, a little closer. I’ve got someone to hold. I’ve been giving you tomorrow. You’ve been needing me today. For once, let the whole world wait. Make me late. [Post-Chorus] Five more minutes, Then five more. I forgot what I was Rushing for. [Bridge — nearly bare guitar] My phone starts ringing on the chair. I turn it over, leave it there. You say, “It wasn’t even that funny.” I say, “I still wanna hear.” You tell it badly, lose your place, Start laughing halfway through. I used to know what made you laugh Before the rest of the room. [Brief guitar interlude — return to the opening motif] [Final Chorus — fuller strumming, emotionally open] Make me late, Let the coffee go cold. Pull me closer, a little closer. I’ve got someone to hold. I’ve been giving you tomorrow. Let me love you here today. For once, let the whole world wait. [One beat of silence] Make me late. [Outro — fingerpicked, almost spoken] Five more minutes, Then five more. You say, “You’ll have to leave sometime.” I say, “I know.” Then kiss you slow.
