Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Chris sat beside me, and I noticed he kept looking at me and smiling. He was a decent-looking guy, average height, slim build, his hair cut short, and his dark eyes friendly. He told a lot of jokes—some of which fell flat, but he didn’t seem to notice or care.
When the karaoke started, our table was the first to get up. The guys sang a cowboy song, and I let the women choose ours. I withheld my groan when they insisted on “It’s Raining Men,” but I went along with it and sang, hamming it up a little. I’d only had one glass of wine, but I never drank much, so it was all I needed to loosen up. When I was challenged to sing alone, I took it, walked up to the stage, and chose my favorite song.
The crowd had grown and clapped loudly as “Holding Out for a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler started to play. I always had fun singing the song, letting my voice belt it out loudly. I wasn’t a singer by any means, but I could carry a tune.
I moved across the stage, singing and flinging my arms dramatically, acting out the song. The crowd clapped, whistled, and sang with me. At one point as I faced the bar, I pointed to the crowd as I sang the chorus, and something caught my eye. A familiar set of eyes watching me from the edge of the bar. Smiling and clapping with everyone.
Jesse.
I blinked, and he was gone. Back into the shadows or simply an illusion my mind came up with, I didn’t know.
Then the song was over, and I waved off the shouts of encore and returned to the table. I sat down, drinking the bottle of water I had asked Lori for. I wiped my forehead. “Warm in here.”
Chris laughed. “You were great.”
“Thanks.” I stood. “Excuse me.”
I went to the ladies’ room, my gaze sweeping the bar. I didn’t see Jesse. It had to be a figment of my imagination. He was at the station, working. Not out on a Saturday night.
I splashed some cold water on my face, feeling better for the refreshing cool. I was on the way back to the table when someone stepped in front of me.
Jesse.
I hadn’t seen him since the day after the incident. I stayed out of his way while he installed the pet doors, and he left without saying goodbye since Miller and Barney had quickly started using the convenient way to see each other. He had waved as he left for his shift, but that was all of our contact. I had felt a little sad about it, then decided it was for the best. I seemed to be on my worst behavior when he was around.
I gasped in shock. “What are you doing here?”
He grinned. “Picking up wings for the crew. I arrived just in time for the show.”
I laughed. “One-time performance.”
“You were really into it.”
I shrugged. “Gotta give the people what they want.”
He stepped closer, his voice low. “Is that what you want, Pixie? A hero?”
I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. “I-I was just singing.”
“Sounded pretty personal to me.”
“Um—”
He stepped forward again, and I moved back. I hit the wall, and still, he pressed closer. He stared down at me, his gaze heated, one arm braced on the wall beside my head. My breath caught at the intensity on his face. The way he kept dropping his gaze to my lips. The air suddenly felt too thin.
“Jesse,” I breathed. “What—”
“Hey, Jesse. The wings are ready. We need to go,” a voice behind Jesse spoke.
The spell was broken. Jesse straightened and stepped back. “Right.” His voice was cool and polite. “Have a great night, Casey. Keep tearing up the stage.”
And he was gone.
Chapter Thirteen
CASEY
Ihad to wait a few moments before I returned to the table. I sat down, draining my water. I was parched, confused, and feeling anger toward someone I didn’t know.
I was sure if he hadn’t interrupted us, Jesse would have kissed me.
And it would have wrecked me in the very best way possible.
And I was a little angry at Jesse for leaving me and wishing he had kissed me.
But why would he?
“Another wine?” Chris asked.
“No,” I said, forcing a smile. “I should get going. I have an early morning.”
The table protested loudly, saying they wanted me to stay and we could enter the contest that would happen in a little while. I shook my head. “Next time.”
Chris stood. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
I was going to protest, then decided not to fight him on it. It was a nice gesture.
Outside, I inhaled the cool night air, helping to clear my head.
“You were good back there,” he said enthusiastically.
“Great song,” I replied. “Fun.”
At my SUV, I smiled at him. “Thanks.”
“Listen, can I take you out?”