His lips graced her hand. “You look so beautiful under the moonlight.”
Things could have been so different between them. Why did she have to choose between the band and a man who was perfect for her?
The door to the balcony opened and Mason stepped outside. “I was wondering where you two went.” He stopped and looked at the serious expressions on their faces. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“No,” Lucas answered. “She just wanted to get some air.” He stared at her for a moment, then backed away. “Stay with her. I’ll be right back. I’m just gonna use the restroom.”
Lucas left and Sindy stood on the balcony alone with Mason. She wondered how much he knew, if anything. “It’s beautiful out here.” She turned toward the Empire State Building. “It was dirty and grimy where I grew up. There were rats the size of small dogs in the streets at night.”
Mason joined her at the railing. “Don’t let the glitz and glam of New York City fool you. There are plenty of rats here, too. Some that’ll fight you for your White Castle hamburger.”
She let out a small laugh. “You eat White Castle?”
“Yeah. I love it. Gotta have it at least once a week.”
“Don’t let Tessa hear you say that.”
“Don’t let me hear you say what?”
They both turned around in surprise at the sound of Tessa’s voice.
“What don’t you want me to hear?” Tessa asked again, her brow furrowed.
“Nothing.” Sindy laughed and glanced at Mason. “Just that he eats White Castle hamburgers.”
“Oh, man, thanks a lot.” Mason nudged her in the shoulder. “Remind me not to rob a bank with you. You’d give me up in a second.”
“Why are you two on the balcony by yourselves?” Tessa’s eyes shifted suspiciously between Sindy and Mason.
“I was playing pool,” Sindy explained. “Then Lucas showed up. Then Mason.”
“Lucas isn’t here. And why did you leave me upstairs with that guy?” Tessa asked Mason.
“Sorry, Tess. I thought you wanted me to skedaddle.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Her face finally softened and she smiled. “I never want you to skedaddle.” She looped one arm through Mason’s and the other through Sindy’s. “Let’s find Lucas and get back to our table.”
Sindy couldn’t sleep. Her mind was spinning in a million different directions with the upcoming release of the single, a promo tour, wardrobe, when she should expect another paycheck from the band and if she should ask. She climbed out of bed and reviewed her contract. Depending on how well the single did, she’d get another payout 90 days after its release. She prayed it was an instant hit. It could happen. Prodigy had a fan base, and they had all the right connections they needed in order to make it big.
Reading the contract made her lids heavy, and she rubbed her eyes. Her phone dinged, and it suddenly made her wide awake because she knew it was Lucas.
LUCAS:I’m outside.
She sighed, rendered helpless by the two words on the screen. Instead of texting back, she went to the window. He stared up at her, the phone to his ear, and he smiled as soon as he saw her. She jumped when the phone in her hand rang.
“What do you want, Lucas?”
“Let me up.”
“No. It’s late. I’ll see you tomorrow. Go home.” She clicked her phone off, stepped away from the window, shut off all the lights and climbed into bed. Helplessness and exasperation filled her to her core. Her chest felt as if it was caving in. Her heart hurt. Remorse and regret nagged at her. Slowly, she became aware of music coming from outside. She hesitantly went to the window and opened it, shocked at the sight of Lucas with his acoustic guitar. He stared up at her and sangEverything I Do, by Bryan Adams, one of the greatest love songs of all times, as far as she was concerned.
A football-sized lump lodged in Sindy’s throat. “Don’t do this to me,” she whispered. She knew he couldn’t hear her feeble rejection, and he continued to play and sing while looking up at the window. She crumbled at the heartfelt words of the song. It was 3:00 in the morning, and he was outside her window playing his guitar and singing. How could she possibly resist this? She couldn’t. She opened the window and stuck her head out. “You’re going to get me thrown out of my apartment.”
“Then let me in!”
She smiled and motioned for him to come up.
The moment he entered her apartment, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her.
