He hesitates for a second. “They said no to me singing one of my songs. It’s okay. It was dumb of me to hope. I know better. Anyway. Let’s forget about that and celebrate your win.” He smiles and takes my hands in his.
But I’m not ready to brush this off. How can they make that sort of decision when they said yes to having me—the most obscure artist alive—open his concert? It makes no sense.
“So,” he says, “what do you want to sing? We can practice.”
My eyes snap to his.We can practice. We.
An idea buzzes in my head, and I stare at Austin, not really seeing him.
He waves a hand in front of my eyes, checking for any sign of life.
“They really said I can choose what I sing?” I ask.
“Whatever you want.”
“WhateverI want…”
His eyes narrow, and I thread my fingers through his, filling with sudden bravery.
“Okay, then. I want to sing one ofyoursongs. With you.”
29
AUSTIN
Mia waitsfor me to respond, but I’ve got no words. The first day I met her, she was dripping water and disdain for me. Today, she’s offering to sing one of my songs with me instead of highlighting one of her own.
All I can do is admire her.
“Unless you don’t want to,” she hurries when I don’t respond. “Maybe you’re worried about the whole not-wanting-our-names-associated thing? Which I underst?—”
“I don’t care about that, Mia. Not even a little. I’d be honored to have my name associated with yours.”
“Really?”
“Really. But I’m not allowed to sing those songs.”
She shrugs. “They said I could sing what I want.That’swhat I want.” She fiddles with the collar of my shirt. “Sometimes it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission.”
My mouth tugs up at the corner. “Never knew you were such a rebel.”
“Only when rebellion is called for.” She smooths my shirt with her palm, then meets my eye. “So, what do you think?”
I take in a deep breath. “I think I’m in love with you, Mia.”
Her hand stills.
“It terrifies me to say that. It terrifies me tofeelit. But it’s the truth.” I wait for her to respond, feeling like my life and sanity are on the line.
“Are youtryingto make me get the hiccups again?”
I clench my teeth. “Does my saying I’m in love with you make you nervous?”
She nods. “Really, really, really good nervous.”
I can breathe again, and it comes out in a shaky laugh. I brush her hair away from her face. “Good. Because I don’t want to do any more closet kissing.”
She frowns. “I kind of like the closet kisses.”
