“I don’t know what to think asI’ve never heard you sing.”
He pressed his lips together. Stared her down. “Look the other way.”
“What?”
“I’ll do it, but you have to look the other way. I can’t sing with you staring at me.”
“You’re being ridicu— ” Josh started to get up. “Okay, okay, I’ll look the other way. Jeez. You’d think I was asking you to pick your nose.”
“That would be less embarrassing.”
She pivoted away from him, staring at the Christmas tree. “Is this good enough, or should I step outside?”
“That would be better actually.”
“Just get on with it already.”
He muttered something, but she only made out the wordbossy.
She huffed, waiting. She couldn’t believe he was so self-conscious about this. He’d played several sports in high school. If quarterbacking a team in front of peers didn’t give a guy stage fright, she couldn’t imagine why singing would. She’d always wished she had a—
The first tentative notes of “O Holy Night”rang out. She stilled, ears perked. The notes were clear and bright and finished off with a rich and warm vibrato. He finished the first verse flawlessly, then he was moving into the chorus, his voice ringing out strong and vibrant. The vocals swelled, sending chills up her arms. The words, his skillful dynamics, carried her away, making her want to fall on her knees right then and there.
Before she knew it, the last note of the chorus rang out into a shocked silence. She slowly turned and met Josh’s gaze, her view blurry from tears she didn’t realize had gathered. “That was beautiful.”
He scratched his neck. “You don’t have to say that.”
“Josh.You’re really good.”
He gave an awkward chuckle. “Well, don’t worry, I won’t quit my day job.”
She put a hand on his arm. “You’re going to wow them tomorrow. You have nothing to be nervous about. I want to come and hear you sing.”
“What? No, it’s two hours away.”
“I don’t care.”
“No.That’ll only make me more nervous.”
“But I’ve already heard you sing.”
“I don’t care. You’re not coming.”
She poked him in his ticklish spot. “Now who’s bossy?”
Lightning fast, he grabbed her foot.
“Not the foot!” she said through her laughter, trying to pull away. When that didn’t work, she went on the offense.
“Hey!” He jerked away. Dropped her foot. Leaned in, going for her ribs this time.
“Stop!” She fell back onto the sofa as his weight crashed down on her. “I’m too old for this!”
“You’re never too old to be tickled.”
“You’re so right.” She went for his ticklish spot again and found purchase.
He caught her arm and redoubled his efforts, making her laugh harder. His deep chuckle rumbled against her chest.
