Page 55 of My Favorite Hero

“Um—”

He stepped forward again, and I moved back. I hit the wall, and still, he pressed closer. He stared down at me, his gaze heated, one arm braced on the wall beside my head. My breath caught at the intensity on his face. The way he kept dropping his gaze to my lips. The air suddenly felt too thin.

“Jesse,” I breathed. “What⁠—”

“Hey, Jesse. The wings are ready. We need to go,” a voice behind Jesse spoke.

The spell was broken. Jesse straightened and stepped back. “Right.” His voice was cool and polite. “Have a great night, Casey. Keep tearing up the stage.”

And he was gone.

Chapter Thirteen

CASEY

Ihad to wait a few moments before I returned to the table. I sat down, draining my water. I was parched, confused, and feeling anger toward someone I didn’t know.

I was sure if he hadn’t interrupted us, Jesse would have kissed me.

And it would have wrecked me in the very best way possible.

And I was a little angry at Jesse for leaving me and wishing he had kissed me.

But why would he?

“Another wine?” Chris asked.

“No,” I said, forcing a smile. “I should get going. I have an early morning.”

The table protested loudly, saying they wanted me to stay and we could enter the contest that would happen in a little while. I shook my head. “Next time.”

Chris stood. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

I was going to protest, then decided not to fight him on it. It was a nice gesture.

Outside, I inhaled the cool night air, helping to clear my head.

“You were good back there,” he said enthusiastically.

“Great song,” I replied. “Fun.”

At my SUV, I smiled at him. “Thanks.”

“Listen, can I take you out?”

“Out?” I repeated.

“On a date.”

“A date?” I said, wondering when I had become a parrot.

“Monday?” he asked.

“Um,” I hedged. “I don’t date much.”

“Dinner,” he said. “Monday.”

I didn’t know why I gave in. “Okay.”