“So,” Brock said, grinning. “My hunch was correct. We found that inner tube, just like I’d predicted.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Brianna looked down at said inner tube while fighting back a smile. “We sure did.”
“Because my hunches are never wrong.”
“Whatever you say, Badger.”
Brianna bent to pick up the tube but Brock beat her to it. “Here, let me carry that. And what do you say to that coffee?” He had another hunch she’d say yes.
“Um, I say that I don’t want to show up at my place of business in a bikini with a fiddle, a giant inner tube, and a strange man right now.”
Damn. “Oh. Okay.”
“Why so glum? Wait…did you have a hunch I’d say yes?” Her green eyes glittered with mischief.
“No.”Yes.
Brianna nodded. “Sure, because your hunches are always right.”
“Well, you did qualify it with the wordsright now.”
She sucked in her cheeks and pursed her lips. “I did, didn’t I?”
“So, I stand by my word that my hunches are never wrong.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Okay, Badger, how about you take that inner tube back to the rental place for me for the trouble you’ve caused? I need to get to practicing. But,” she held up a finger, “you said you’re doing security for the festival, so I guess I’ll see you around this week? Maybe at some point, we can go for that coffee.”
Brock smiled. “Sounds good. And hey, I was planning on spending my day off today by the river. Would you mind if I came back and listened in?”
Brianna frowned. “I told you, I don’t like playing in front of people.”
Brock held up a hand. But, you’ve got to play in front of people at the festival, right?”
She closed her eyes. “Don’t remind me.”
“So, maybe I can help you, Brianna. Sort of a transition. I won’t sit in front of you. I won’t even tell you that I’m there unless you want me to. You’ll have an audience, but you don’t have to look at this ugly mug while you play.”
Brianna shrugged, but her cheeks pinked up. “It’s notthatugly.”
Score. “So what do you say? In all seriousness, I won’t if you don’t want me to, because I’m not a creeper. I’ll find a different part of the river to spend my day.” Brock meant it. He was worried that he’d pushed her too far. But he really did want to help her. Sometimes, his enthusiasm to help someone overrode his better judgment.
She studied him. Then she nodded. “Okay. You know what? You’re right. I have to break my cherry somehow.” Her hand immediately flew to her mouth and she turned as red as her bikini. “God, I didn’t mean that.”
Brock pressed his lips together and looked away and he rocked on his feet. “Not gonna say a word.”
She sighed. “Yeah, okay. Just let me know you’re there so I don’t freak out and we take this out of creeper territory. Then, just sit out of my view, and hopefully enjoy.”
“Okay, I’ll do that when I get back from this.” He lifted the inner tube. “Question though.”
“Answer.” She grinned.
“If you don’t play in front of anyone, how did you get into the class and the contest? I understand the competition is fierce.”
“Oh, that was easy. I just had to upload a private video so I set up my phone in my room and played. The headlining acts judged the final round of entries and I guess I made it.” She shrugged. “The hardest part of that was working up my courage knowing some of my favorite artists were going to hear me. I mean, I don’t know how I’m not going to die this week when Iknowthey’re watching. We’re supposed to meet them too and I have no idea how I’ll get through that.”
“You’re gonna be fine. No, you’re gonna begreat. Because I have a—”
“Hunch,” they said together.
