Then he steps forward, lifting his hands again.
And we start all over.
CHAPTER 14
Alexis
There’s a live band tonight, and I’m excited. I’ve always loved live music.
I’m polishing glasses as the bar slowly fills. Snow is still falling outside, thick and steady, but that doesn’t seem to stop anyone from coming out tonight. Not that I mind. I actually enjoy working more when the place is busy. It keeps my mind occupied.
Stephen walks in from the back hallway, snow melting in his hair. “Band’s not coming. Road’s closed halfway up the pass.”
A ripple of disappointment moves through the bar.
Dex swears under his breath.
“We’ve got a full house,” Stephen adds.
Dex’s eyes move across the room once, then land on me.
“No,” I say immediately.
“You’re singing.”
I shake my head, already stepping back. “No.”
“Yes.”
“I can’t.”
“You can.”
“I said no.”
“Tinker.”
“I mean it.”
“So do I.”
He steps closer, closing the space between us until I have no choice but to look up at him, his presence steady, unyielding, like he’s already decided how this is going to go.
“You’re too good to stay hidden and wait for perfection,” he says, his voice calm, but there’s something under it, something firm enough that it makes my chest tighten.
“I’ll mess it up,” I whisper, hating how small it sounds.
“No, you won’t.” He holds my gaze, not letting me look away. “You either get on that stage, or I start wondering why I hired someone who doesn’t finish what she starts.”
That hits harder than it should.
Not because it’s cruel.
Because part of me knows he doesn’t actually believe it.
Because the way he’s looking at me doesn’t match the words.
“Are you serious?”
