I might have heard that song before, but I hardly remember it.
Stupid, stupid nineties music.
Every second counts. This app thinks it’s going to pull one over on me because I don’t know nineties music, but it has another thing coming.
The timer is counting down from thirty seconds. This is serious business here, and I don’t take winning lightly. I’m either first or last, and I won’t be last. I open Google and type in the song title to get a peek at the lyrics.
“El,” Stallone’s husky voice calls from the other side of the trees. “Are you okay?”
My heart slams against a brick wall, and my eyes pop out of my skull. “Uh, why’d you follow me?”
“We’re in the middle of the forest at night. I can’t let you go wandering off. You don’t have to be embarrassed that you’re sick. I can take you home.”
Thunk.
Thunk.
My heart slams against my rib cage at the same beat the timer counts down to my match.
I’m busted.
There’s no way out of this, and I still don’t know this stupid song. I will not lose.
“Look.” I sidestep, coming around the tree and flipping my phone so he can see my app. “I’m not sick,” I rush out as fast as I’ve ever spoken in my life. Hot shame floods my cheeks. “I didn’t know what to say, because I spent all day singing karaoke into this app, and I’m in the championship round. It sounds stupid but I’m really competitive, and there is five hundred dollars of prize money on the line. I know it’s not much, but I haven’t been working all week, except for the coffee shop, but it’s dead, and I’ve made no tips. I could really use the money, but I also didn’t want to cancel our date, but I got thirty seconds until my round starts and I have to sing “Truly Madly Deeply,” and I don’t even know the lyrics—” I cut myself off, and a nervousgiggle leaks out of my lips, as this really is the stupidest thing I’ve ever done. I ruined this date because of this stupid karaoke app.
His eyes glue to my phone. I’m waiting for a look of horror to flash over his face, but instead his lips bend into a smirk. “That’s what this is about? Karaoke. Why didn’t you say something earlier?” His giant hand flattens in front of me. “Give me the phone.”
My brows furrow together for a moment before it sinks in that he’s not mad at all. He has a full smile on his face, and he’s ready tohelpme. “I don’t think it works if you sing it. It must be my voice.”
He swipes his hand through his hair. “I thought you were upset at me being so old.” A giant sigh drops from his mouth, and he chuckles out loud. “If anyone can win at karaoke, it’s going to be me. You hold the phone up to your mouth, but I’ll sing in the background to help you find the rhythm. It’s not a hard song—”
My app flashes, changing screens and I panic and cut him off, “It’s starting!”
The lyrics scroll across my screen. Since I don’t know them, I read them and try to find my pitch, but Stallone is right behind me, whispering the words to the melody and it helps so much. I feel dumb singing into my phone in the middle of the forest at night in front of him. Even if we make it past a first date—which I highly doubt after the way I’ve treated him—he’ll probably never let me live this down.
My gauge quickly fills with green to indicate I’m winning. Then I no longer care how dumb I look.
I’m winning.
My confidence soars.
The headlights from the truck are the only real light, and it’s enough for me to see his dark eyes staring deeply into mine. Our voices blend well together. Me, a solid soprano, and him a bass.The song ends with a long pause on the screen. I hold my breath, my gaze bouncing from Stallone to the screen. He’s still here, which is mind-blowing to me, and he seems to be holding his breath, as excited as I am.
Confetti pops, and I squeal and pump my fist in the air. “We won!”
He throws his head back, letting laughter roll out, at the same time he scoops me up into a giant bear hug. It sends a whoosh right through me as our bodies are pressed together. All the air is wrung out of my lungs, and I can’t help but freeze. After a complete twirl, he sets me down, and that’s when I notice his nice pants are muddy. I motion to his pant legs. “How come you’re all muddy?”
His smile never leaves his face. “I slipped when I was running after you.” A slow chuckle starts from his lips. “I ran as fast as I could, because I thought you were dying.”
My gaze slopes until I meet his, and a swelling starts in my heart. I put my hand on his forearm and stare into his eyes. Here’s a man who ran through the mud to save me. When he finds out I’d been hiding this app from him, he sings Savage Garden to me.
It’s all green flags for me.
“Stallone,” I whisper his name. “Thank you for helping and for not being upset.”
“You’re welcome.” His gaze softens, bright copper flecks dancing in his eyes. “I’m relieved everything is fine. I couldn’t decide if you were upset that I was old or if you were sick.”
“Neither of those.” I let out a mischievous laugh. “I’m just broke right now and saw a way to make some cash. Now you know my secret. Plus, I’m the ultimate Karaoke Cash-oke champion.”
