The crowd goes silent the second my feet hit the stage. But I’m not sure if it’s the crowd or my brain. I actually love to sing. In the shower, alone in the car, things like that. But I have never, ever, sung in front of anyone. Not even my family.
My eyes seek out Grant. He looks stunned. And then I see my brothers next to the bar, still flirting with some women.
For all that is good, please don’t let them notice me.
“We’re singingDancing With a Stranger,” Noa whispers into my ear just as the song starts.
“Do you sing?” This feels like something I should've have known before now. Heck, I don’t even know his favorite color. Things I should probably know about the man I plan to make my fake fiancé.
He looks at me and grins. “I guess we’ll find out.”
Then he opens his mouth and… He can sing. Like oh my gosh, he can sing. I’m so startled by his angelic voice that I come in late for my cue. But something amazing happens as soon as I hit it. I don’t want to shut down and hide behind the nearest table. I want to go for it. I keep my eyes on Noa, and he stares right back at me, encouraging me with his warmsmile
I finally have enough courage to look at the crowd by the time the chorus hits, but I don’t see anyone besides Grant. Perfect, handsome Grant. His lips are parted and he’s looking at me like he really sees me. Not just looking through me to see my brothers.
Noa sings the next line and then pulls me in to dance. The people below us cheer, and I laugh because I have never felt so alive in my life. I’ve never had so much fun doing something so terrifying. My heart pumps in time with the music and I sing louder, not even caring if I’m off key.
I'm singing. In front of a crowd. In front of Grant.
I can do anything!
The song ends, and Noa dips me. The audience claps, and we hurry off stage.
“Oh, my gosh. You have an amazing voice.” I tell Noa as soon as we are free of the speakers.
“Me? Did you hear yourself?” He gives me a high five. “You killed that!”
The embarrassment that I thought would hit me on stage finally washes over me. “I’ve never sung in front of people before.”
“Maybe you should start. We can start a band,” he says with a smile.
I laugh because he’s the most free-spirited person I’ve ever met. “Yeah. Right after we get married.”
My phone buzzes, and I pull it out of my handbag.
Juliet: Are you still alive?
I forgot she’s tracking my phone tonight and probably terrified to see me at a club.
Me: It was touch and go for a second there, but I’m still breathing.
Juliet: Don’t even play with me.
Me: *kissy face*
“You sing?”
I jump and drop my phone on the floor. “Grant.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
I look around for Noa, but he’s moving in the opposite direction, getting lost in the crowd.
“I haven’t told anyone,” I say as I bend over to retrieve my phone before it gets stepped on.
He sticks his hands in his pockets and his eyebrows scrunch together. “Why would you hide something you’re so good at?”
That’s a good question. “I—”