Even after you’re gone
I’ll never forget you, never get past you
You’ll always be my only one
It was your typical sad country song, but it was also mine.
With my eyes fixed on a point, I made it through the song without choking up too much, and I only fumbled the verse once. Not too shabby. Once it ended, I stood up. The mob of women clamored for my attention, but Dani pushed her way through to reach me.
“That was amazing,” she gushed. “I love that song. How did I not know you could sing and play?”
I shrugged.
Her expression was wounded, which made me feel like shit, but I couldn’t exactly say I’d practiced in private to win her affections as a whiny teenager.
“I had a guitar for a bit before my dad sold it. Didn’t pick it up again until I joined up. Had a lot of time to practice when I was deployed.”
Her face underwent a series of emotions from betrayal to anger to worry.
“You were fantastic. Poor Ben is going to regret letting you use his guitar.”
“Poor Ben, huh?”
“Yeah. He’s the local stud around here.” She rolled her eyes and lowered her voice. “He thinks he’s all that because he can sing and has good hair. As if that’s all it takes.”
Then she made a face.
“Who am I to talk? I dated Beau for years.”
“You’re not with him anymore, and you didn’t let him win.”
Before our conversation could continue, she had to go back. I fought my way through the crowd to find my seat again, which Neil promised to save for me. He did, and I took the stool gratefully.
“Why did you let me think you couldn’t sing?” he demanded.
“I didn’t say anything. You assumed.”
He huffed and flounced off, and I bit back another laugh. I’d laughed or smiled more since I returned to Sierra Rose Ridge than I had in years. Damn, it was good to be home.
As if I conjured her, Dani floated into my periphery as she brought colorful drinks to a table of middle-aged women celebrating with cheers and laughter. Fuck yeah, it was good to be home.
Chapter 14
DANI
“Guess what?” I vibrated with excitement. “I’ve got a lead on an apartment. Vanessa’s husband, Anthony, works with a guy whose brother is looking for a roommate. I’m going to look at his apartment tomorrow.”
Jake’s frown deepened.
“His? It’s a guy?”
I rolled my eyes.
“There aren’t any women who need a roommate in Sierra Rose Ridge. I’ve had a male roommate before. It’ll be fine.”
“Hmm.”
I kept my smile in place through sheer forceof will.
