The last note lingers, stretching out into something quiet and full, and for a second the entire bar holds its breath before it erupts.
Cheers, whistles, applause crashing over us, loud and overwhelming, but it barely reaches me, because his eyes are still on mine, intense, unwavering, like nothing else matters.
And then his mouth is on mine.
Not soft this time.
A kiss that feels like everything he just gave me wrapped into something I can feel, something real, something I can hold onto, and I give it right back, my fingers curling into his shirt as the noise around us explodes even louder.
The crowd goes wild.
But it’s nothing compared to what’s happening right here.
Between us.
And as he pulls me closer, like letting go isn’t an option anymore, like he’s already decided this is it…
I know.
There’s no going back from this.
Not for either of us.
???
Dexter
Lexy lets go of me and turns to leave the stage, but I catch her hand and shake my head.
I see the question in her eyes as I bring the mic back to my lips.
“I’ve got one more surprise for my Tinker tonight.”
The crowd goes wild. Lexy’s eyes widen, questions filling them.
I nod to the DJ. “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s give it up for Lily Rhodes!”
The place erupts as the country singer Lexy loves so much walks onto the stage.
I step behind Lexy and pull her back flush against my chest, needing her close, as Lily adjusts her mic and her band takes their places.
“So a few months ago,” Lily begins, smiling out at the crowd, “my manager received a video of a beautiful young woman singing her own song…”
Lexy’s eyes snap to mine.
I just smile.
“And when I heard it,” Lily continues, “I knew I had to make it mine. I lost someone close to me not so long ago and… this song went straight to my heart.”
The first notes start to play.
Lexy’s song.
I recorded her that night in the apartment, when she thought it was just us. Sent it off the next day through an old contact who knew Lily’s manager. Didn’t think anything would come of it.
Until it did.
“So here’sWe’ll Never Let Go,” Lily says, her smile softening, “by Lexy Vale.”
