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I averted my eyes. “Um, yes, you could say that. How about you? What are you up to?”
“Well, never made the NFL. But I own my own contracting company now out west. I have a wife and kids. Doing pretty good for myself. Sounds like you are, too. Well, I’ll take my seat so the show can start.”
My stomach dropped, remembering I was about to sing in front of my old flame.
“An old boyfriend?” Leo asked.
“Not even close,” I replied. “But someone who will be able to tell others that he saw Tillie Ashby make a fool of herself. I don’t think I can do this.” I exhaled, clutching the microphone.
“I’ve got you,” Leo said. “It will be fine. Show him who you are.”
“What if I don’t know?”
“You do. Now come on,” Leo said, shoulder bumping me, which made me smile. He stood right beside me as the music started, and instead of looking at Thad, I kept my eyes on Leo. Something about the way he looked at me made me feel like I could do it—even if singing wasn’t my strong suit. Like at all.
And as we sang a fun song from the 1970s, Leo taking the lead with his velvety voice, I had to admit that there was something attractive about a man who could sing. There was something electric between me and the popstar who had found his way to my hometown even if I hit a few notes that would probably make a dog howl.
The risk of singing karaoke paid off. The crowd gave us a standing ovation, including Thad. In fairness, there weren’t many people in the bar, and in true fairness, Leo was the reason we got the standing ovation. He was aglow after the performance, and I knew no matter what life crisis he was going through, he belonged on the stage.
“Great job, Tillie,” Thad yelled out, and I smiled. But I turned to Leo, who gave me a high five in that moment, clasping my hand for a second as we did. And the presence of Thad in the room or anyone else didn’t matter.
It had been worth overcoming mortification to get up there with him, of taking the risk to get on stage and try something out of my comfort zone.
I was no stranger to risk. I’d left for the city with no money and a weak plan at eighteen. I’d risked it all for my coffee shop. I’d risked my heart for Brad. That hadn’t turned out so well.
But now, there was a new risk in front of me. Leo Turner. His gorgeous dark hair, his intriguing accent, and the electrifying way his hand felt on mine. Was it worth the risk, even if just for a summer?
As Leo ordered us another round of celebratory drinks for our performance, I tried to smile. But inside, I was wondering if a summer with Leo was going to be the biggest risk of all.
Chapter Fifteen
My head throbbed in the morning as the sun streamed through the window. I groaned, my leg also aching. Going out had been a bad idea. I didn’t know how Grace did it so many nights, especially on a work night. And taking the stage with Leo had been an even worse idea. With the buzz of the drinks and the atmosphere having faded, I imagined the videos Thad had of me crooning out bad notes with Leo’s smooth voice.
Note to self: If you’re going to sing karaoke, don’t do it with a popstar unless you, too, are a popstar or at least a decent singer.
That wasn’t the only regret weighing on me, in truth, though. I thought of the way I’d shivered when Leo touched my hand, the way my body lit up. I’d felt that way one other time—with Brad. And look how that had turned out.
