“I think we need to do this more often,” I tell him.
He leads me off the dance floor, and we end up at the bar for another drink, then he leads me to a sit-down table in proximity to the stage while they start the karaoke.
“Okay, go-to karaoke song?”
“It’s usually ‘Livin’ on a Prayer,’ but we’re in a honky-tonk bar, so…”
I wait, wondering what he’s going to say.
“‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy’ by Toby Keith.”
“Why is that perfect for you? I can’t wait to see what you got.”
They call for people to sign up, and Levi leaves to put his name in. I have to admit, I’ve never done karaoke. It’s not my thing. I’m the fun but awkward girl. Even though everything else about my personality might say I’m comfortable standing in front of a room of people and belting out a song I barely know, I’m not.
But you know what? There’s no time like the present.
When Levi returns from putting his name down, I jump up, looking at their sheet of songs. “What are you going to sing?” he asks when I sit back down.
“It’s a secret,” I tell him. “Just you wait.”
My stomach tightens with nerves. Partly because Levi is being very affectionate and partly because once other people start singing, my brain asks me what in the hell I think I’m doing. Not everyone is great, but there are a few who are, and the others make sure everyone else has a good time.
The guy on the stage ends his rendition of a country song I don’t recognize and bows, taking off his cowboy hat. “I think you need a hat like that, Soucy.”
“I actually have a cowboy hat. I’m mad I don’t have it with me.”
“You do?”
“And let me tell you, I look damn good in it.”
I chuckle. “Of course you do.”
The announcer calls out for Michael Jordan, and Levi pops up. “What?” I laugh.
He winks at me. “I couldn’t use my real name.”
He runs all the way up to the stage and grabs the mic like we’re all at his personal concert.
So Levi.
From the very beginning, he has everyone eating out of the palm of his hand. As soon as the first few notes sound from the speakers, people cheer. He’s only a few lines in when he finds me in the crowd and sings:
Miss Kitty, have you ever thought of runnin’ away?
Settlin’ down, would you marry me
If I asked you twice and begged you, pretty please?
I’m still recovering from that when he hits the chorus, and I’m gobsmacked. Can this guy do everything? Levi is a killer singer, and the crowd hears it, too. They’re all into it and singing along with him.
They start clapping, and I clap with them, and when he finishes, a few whistles fill the bar while he makes his way back. He tugs me to my feet and lays a kiss on me that curls my toes. After pulling away, he asks, “Did you hear your part?”
I only vaguely remember a line about marrying and settling. “You’re crazy.”
“I know. But I mean it, Rapunzel. We’re end game.”
He offers his hand to help me back down, and I can barely breathe. Levi takes up all the available space in my brain. I watch him from the corner of my eye as he enjoys himself, singing andapplauding for the others. I’m so entranced by him that it almost doesn’t register when my name is called.
