The bass lines reverberated through her body like an electric current, and she swayed with the beat. The energy from the band radiated through the room, palpable enough to touch and tangible enough to make her feel like she was actually in the song. Honestly, the whole experience was like an invitation to join in on the journey. Like being part of something seriously special for a few bars.
Also, she loved the Dimefront ladies.
Irina was so down to earth. Courtney and Becca were extra fun. And Sami Jo was the sweetest. It was like being at work with the other nurses. They all just clicked so easily.
The one thing that made her shift uncomfortably in her seat? Mach’s piercing gaze lingering on her from the stage. Looking at her like she was the only one in the room. He didn’t need to slather on more of that sex appeal. Sex appeal that she enjoyed, but that would get her absolutely nowhere but heartbreak because then she’d start thinking tonight was more than it was, and it was not going to bethat.
Back at their table, when he’d asked her all about herself, she let him. Told him about being a nurse, all the little things no one ever cared about. He even asked questions to keep the conversation moving. There she was, chattering away about things of no consequence toanyoneoutside of the hospital, much less someone like Mach. And he’d listened.
They crushed one of their iconic hits, and Bax—the front man—took control of the mic and bellowed, "Y’all know my man Mach is out here at Brek’s tonight on some wild rendezvous."
The bar erupted into wild cheers. Bax pointed to Darla and declared. "This is Darla. She’s here with Mach. They met on what… Nocturnal Cupid?"
The wild cheers whipped into a frenzy. And Darla? Right there in the center of it all, thanks to a bit of rum and a hefty helping of sugar. She waved her arms around and blew kisses like it was nothing—something she would never do. Not without the liquid courage and the Captain Crunch.
"Let’s get to know each other like fam, what do ya say?" Bax asked, sitting on the edge of the stage with a playful confidence as if this were a real question and answer session.
Darla nodded because… rum.
"Let’s do it," she shouted, snatching her drink and heading to the stage.
The other Dimefront ladies went absolutely wild at her agreement. The venue shook with shouts and applause as Bax gestured for Mach to join him on the edge of the stage. Mach set his guitar aside and moseyed that way. His gaze? It never left Darla.
Bax made room for Darla to join him. And she hopped right up on the stage like she had every right to be there.
"So, Darla… you won a contest, huh? How’s it going so far tonight?" Bax asked like he was Dr. Phil.
Mach’s gaze seized hers and she was putty. Pure putty.
"It’s going good," she said. "But, uh, you know, I came tonight because I thought this was an actual date." She paused, chewed on that for a moment. Then asked the audience, "Can you even believe that?"
Bax laughed. The audience laughed. Mach’s expression turned impassive.
"To be honest, I’m glad this isn’t real," she continued. "I mean, can you even imagine? Me withhim?" The snort laugh came out all on its own.
Oh God, that had happened. Her cheeks heated. She held her hand over her mouth.
But Bax was on it, draping his arm over her shoulder. Mic in his other hand, he turned to Mach with what seemed to be practiced ease. "You got anything to add?"
Mach was frowning. Likely because she’d just snorted in front of everyone. Tomorrow she’d hate that she did that. Tonight, she smiled to encourage him along.
He took the mic. He looked at her like he was the one who won the dating game.
"What’s wrong with you and me?" he finally asked.
That got the audience all kinds of riled up—including the Dimefront ladies.
"Mach," she pulled the mic to her mouth and said his name, gently. "You and I are from totally different worlds. There’s no reason to mix things that don’t belong together. I don’t do celebrities. They don’t do me. It’s like our little thing."
She said this with a whole lotta sass and a hefty helping of confidence.
"Bullshit," he said under his breath. Then he added, "Have you ever had a shot with someone famous?"
"No. Of course not." Also, hold up. She looked to the audience. "Did he just bullshit me?"
Bax was totally loving this. The audience ate it up. And Darla? Darla was on it—just letting herself enjoy the moment.
Mach’s jaw went slack at her declaration and the dare in his eyes was clear as the sun setting on the Rockies.
