Kissing the Shy Guy - Stephanie Street Page 0,70

but we’re excited either way. This is our shot at doing something with our music besides singing at bars and festivals.”

“Is that what you want? To be a professional musician?”

“More than anything else.” I looked into her eyes. “Except maybe you.”

Jenna pinched her lips and shook her head, fighting a smile. “You’re crazy.”

“Maybe,” I admitted, pecking at her lips.

“What time do the guys sing tonight?”

“Eight,” I replied, ignoring the pang of regret at missing out. But this was what I’d decided. I wouldn’t waste any more time wishing things were different. There would be other nights, other shows.

“What time is it?” I asked a few minutes later once we’d pulled ourselves away from each other and the sofa we’d taken over.

“Time for me to go fix my lipstick.” Jenna pulled my arm with a saucy smile.

“What a waste of time,” I murmured, pulling her in for another quick kiss, which she readily returned before playfully pushing me back.

“I’m serious.” Her eyes roamed over my face. She rubbed the corner of my mouth with the pad of her thumb. “You should get cleaned up, too.”

I wiped my mouth with my own hand and hummed. “Okay. We’ll meet back here in five?”

“Better make it ten.”

29

Jenna

I knew what I had to do, but my fingers trembled as I did it hiding in a stall in the fancy restroom.

"Jarom." Thank goodness, he answered! "It's Jenna."

"Jenna? How'd you get my number? Is everything okay? Is Adam?"

"He's fine. Everything's fine." Except it wasn't …exactly. "And I've had your number forever. I just never call you. Listen, can you help me with something?"

Jarom grunted but otherwise left my not so kind comments alone. "Jenna, we're extremely busy right now—"

"I know, I know, but let me tell you what I have in mind. I think you'll want to make time."

The depth of his sigh told me he didn't think so, but I knew he would. "Okay, talk to me."

And so I did. And by the time I hung up, I knew I'd done the right thing. And so did Jarom.

"You said ten minutes," Adam accused, yanking on my hand once I stepped out of the restroom.

"I know. I'm sorry." I hurried to keep up with his long stride. "It's this way."

We didn't have long now before we were supposed to be on stage. I hoped I'd given Jarom enough time, but I couldn't worry about that now.

Suddenly remembering, I stopped short, scanning Adam's body. "Where's your guitar?"

I'd startled him with my abrupt stop in the middle of the busy hallway but grinned once he understood why. "In my pocket."

I shoved his shoulder. "For real. Where is it?"

"Don't worry," he said, tugging me back into motion. "I left it backstage with the equipment guys before I came to find you."

"Okay. Okay," I said and ordered my heart to calm the heck down.

"Relax." Adam's hand slid up to the back of my neck and gently massaged. "We're good. Everything's going to be fine."

I tried to believe him, I really did. But I couldn't. At least not until the moment we were finally on that stage, and he turned those smoldering eyes on me, and we delivered our best performance yet.

Soon, the music died. The audience applauded. And Adam cupped my face in his palms, bringing his lips to my forehead in a tender kiss that made me forget everything else but him.

"I love you, Jenna Bradford," he murmured, and my heart melted. This was what it was all about—us.

"I love you, too, Adam Smith."

"We did it!" I jumped into his arms as soon as we walked off stage.

"We killed it," he agreed, twirling in a circle.

"But now, you have to go," I said, and he froze.

"What?" He frowned, his brow wrinkling. "What are you talking about? I'm not going anywhere."

I grabbed his hand and marched toward the door, pulling him behind me. "Yes, you are. And we'd better hurry."

Adam dug in his heels as we reached the brightly lit hall. "Jenna—"

"You have to go. There's a car waiting for you at the main entrance." I kept pulling, but he was stronger.

"Jenna, stop. What are you talking about? What car?"

"The one I ordered for you."

"Why?"

"So it can take you to the concert. And if you don't hurry, you'll miss the first song." I tugged again, but he used his superior strength to swing me around to face him.

"The concert?" His warm eyes searched mine. "It's too late. And we have to wait until they announce the winners."

I shook my head. "No.