I end the call and swipe my screen to see I’m still in the hold queue. “Phew,” I breathe out. “I didn’t miss my round.” Lifting my gaze to scan the coffee shop, I’m further relieved to see there are no customers inside and no one even remotely close to the door. This place is beyond dead. I don’t know what I’d do all day without this app.
Since nobody comes to the coffee shop, I keep accepting karaoke challenges. After winning my twenty-fifth challenge in a row, it’s time to lock up. It’s perfect timing too, because I need to refresh my makeup before Stallone arrives. Some of these choruses make me work up such a sweat; my eye makeup has been long gone.
I set my phone down and reach under the counter for my purse and pull out my sparkly pink makeup pouch. I carry little makeup with me. Just the essentials, so it’s easy to find my finishing powder right on top and my favorite lipstick. I blot all the oily spots on my face with fresh powder and apply my lipstick when a message pops on my phone.
CONGRATULATIONS ON BEATING 25 CHALLENGES! YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN SECOND PLACE. IF YOU WIN THE LIGHTNING ROUND, YOU WILL BE THE ULTIMATE CHAMPION AND WIN $500.
DO YOU ACCEPT THIS LIGHTNING ROUND CHALLENGE? YES OR NO.
My eyes round with excitement.Five hundred dollars!Up until now, I’ve only been accumulating those fake diamonds. I somehow passed the threshold into the rounds where I can win actual money. I’m not one to get excited about the possibility of prize money, but since I made no tips today, and I haven’t been to my actual job in days, that money could certainly beuseful. My rent isn’t going to pay for itself. I’ve always been a competitive person. I love winning, but the thought of winning money now when I need it the most is appealing. My gaze hangs on the wordchampion—so enticing.
I can see my name next to that word, and the mere thought of it makes saliva pool in the center of my mouth.
I could be a karaoke champion.
I like the sound of that.
And I’d have an extra five hundred dollars, which means I have even more time before I need to return to work.
My gaze scans the coffee shop.
There’s no one here.
I can’t take too long because I have a date.
How long is the lightning round?
Lightning is fast.
That’s why they call it lightning.
And then I’d be thechampion.
Without another look around the room, I accept the lightning round challenge. I hold my breath as I wait for my first song to pop up, but instead, the front door swings open.
And I drop my phone to the counter like a hot potato.
Stallone passes through the door and it’s like he walks in slow motion. His hair’s slicked back like a movie star, and he’s wearing dark trousers and a black button-up shirt. The sleeves are rolled up, showing off the corded muscles of his forearms, and he’s carrying a bouquet of pink roses. Seeing this gorgeous hunk of a man dressed up and walking toward me with flowers makes my cheeks heat as my lips slide into a full smile. It’s been years since I’ve gotten flowers. Tom always said they were a waste of money.
“I hope you like roses,” he greets me with his arms outstretched, and I lean in with one arm to give him a hug. The evergreen scent of his cologne hits me, and it infuses my smilewith an even bigger curve.He smells amazing.Like the manliest man who could pluck an entire tree from the ground—roots and all—if I asked him to.
“I love them.” I lean out of our side hug, accepting his flowers at the same time. “That’s so thoughtful of you. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He passes his hand through his dark, rich hair. “I didn’t know what kind of flowers you liked, but I wasn’t going to let that be an excuse. I wanted to bring you something to make you feel special.”
My gaze lingers on his eyes. They are dark and rich like his hair, but even better than that, they arehonest. Of all the characteristics a person could have, that’s the one thing I need the most right now. I press my nose to the center of the bouquet while I walk behind the coffee bar. “Let me put these in water before we leave.”
I scan the coffee bar.
I clearly don’t have a vase.
The cups are cardboard, and more than likely won’t be sturdy enough.
Coffeepot it is!
Smirking, I yank out the empty coffeepot from the base, place it in the deep sink, and turn on the faucet.
“It works.” His agreeable smile doesn’t leave his face, and my cheeks warm from the magnetism I feel when he’s around. “I hope it’s okay, but I assumed you’d be hungry, so I reserved a table at The Grove restaurant. It’s the nicest place in town.”
