“Earth to Jessica!” Emily waves her hand in front of my face. “I asked you a question.”
“Oh, sorry. I was just reliving that moment of singing with Charlie on stage.”
She eyes me suspiciously and hums. “So, we’re watching my favorite show, then?” she asks, reaching over me to grab the remote.
I snort. “I don’t get why you like that show so much. A bunch of women doing ridiculous things on TV just to get a man’s attention.” I flip my hair over my shoulder, push out my lips, and bat my eyes. “Pick me. Pick me! I’m beautiful and pretend to be dumb so you can choose me to be your mate.”
She pulls the pillow out from behind her back and hits me in the face with it. “Don’t dis AGOHD. Besides, those women are hot. I’m waiting for contestant number eight to realize that the bachelor is a jerk, and she can do so much better.”
“Then I guess the bachelor will be quite upset if that happens. She seems to be the favorite right now.”
Emily shrugs as she scrolls through the channels. “She’s totally out of his league. She will be eliminated soon. My theory is that they ask to be rejected when they realize that the Alpha is a tool.” She flashes me a mischievous smile and returns her attention back to the TV, squealing in delight when she finds the channel.
After the episode, Emily’s soft slow breaths fill the quite space of my room as the ending credits roll down the screen. I wish I could sleep as easily as she does. My mind is still on the concert and my time with Shadow over the past two weeks.
Was he really flirting with me tonight? Or did I just make that all up in my head? I glance down at Emily. I wish I could ask her what she thought, but I don’t want to make it weird in caseI’m wrong. Charlie flirts with me all the time, and it’s harmless. Maybe Shadow’s just comfortable around me now and…
A soft tap against my glass door stops me mid-thought. That can’t be right. My bedroom is three stories above the ground. Another rap against my glass door pulls me from the comfort of my bed. Curious, I pull the heavy drapes back to find Shadow standing on the other side. My stomach swirls with butterflies at the sight of him. What is he doing here?
He waves and steps back as I slip outside onto the balcony. He sheepishly looks down and bites his bottom lip. “I couldn’t sleep, and the truth is I didn’t want this night to end without knowing your answer.” He tucks his hands into the front pocket of his hoodie.
The moon shines bright tonight. I can see his features so clearly as he waits for my response. He is so devastatingly handsome. The bachelor on Emily’s favorite show pales in comparison.
“I’m sorry. I don’t remember you asking me a question.” I glance down at my bare feet.
“When you were singing, did you picture yourself singing with the dairy workers, or did you see yourself singing to your someone special? Like Liam? Or one of the dairy hands? Maybe me?”
Him!? Goddess, what do I say without sounding like a complete idiot? I shake my head. “My mind just kind of went blank.” I continue to stare down at the planks beneath my feet, afraid to watch his reaction. If I did look up, would I see relief? Is he subtly hinting that we’re just friends?
“If I hadn’t made it very clear…”
I knew it. It was just harmless flirting, and I overanalyzed everything and read too much into it.
“I really like you. More than just like you.”
My head snaps up. “Me?” This isn’t real. Shadow likes me?
He lets out a breathy laugh. “No. I’m talking about Sleeping Beauty crashed out on your bed.” I peer over my shoulder to look where I left Emily. His warm hand covers mine, and tiny electrical tingles ghost against the palm of my hand. “Sorry. Bad joke. I’m working on it.”
He pulls me toward the balcony table and guides me to sit on the chair. Our knees touch. He bends his head to look at me.
“I drove myself crazy thinking that you were singing for someone else and…”
I release my hand from his grip and place it over his mouth. “It was you. I was just too embarrassed to say it out loud. I sang for you, to you. I have a crush on you. I think I have since the first time we met.” My face burns hotter.
He pulls my hand away from his mouth and smiles. “Me, too.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone. The sound of applause, whistles, and clapping fills the silence. Charlie’s voice follows.
I search Shadow’s face. He recorded us singing.
He pushes the chair back to stand. “May I have this dance?” he asks.
I stand, nodding in response, too entranced with this beautiful man to form words.
He pulls me into his arms, and we sway together in time to the music. The light of the moon beams down on both of us. I sing along to my part. His arms tighten around me. When the song ends, the roar of the crowd blasts from the phone’s speaker.
Tucking his finger under my chin, he tilts my head back. “May I kiss you?”
I lift onto my toes and press my lips against his.
