“Take your time. Grace and I’ve got this.” Cash winked over at her. “Jax, I wanted to tell you, those songs you’ve been working on are brilliant. I listened to them this morning. They’re fantastic. You said Liv helped you write them?”
“She sure did.” I nodded. “I’d never have been able to write them without her.”
“She’s incredibly talented,” he said. “We need to get her writing with you for the next Midnight in Dallas album.”
“Wait till you hear her sing.” A smile stretched over my face at the thought of her beautiful voice.
“She can sing too?” Cash raised his eyebrows at me.
“You have no idea,” Grace piped up. “She’s seriously the best singer I’ve ever heard, and I’m not saying that because she’s my aunt. No offense, Jax. You’re a close second.” She beamed over at me and laughed.
“No offense taken.” I chuckled. “I know when I’m out of my league.”
“Well, I can’t wait to hear her.” Cash clasped his hands together. “Miss Grace, what do you say we get going on those decorations?”
“Are you good here?” She watched me gently stir the batter.
“I’m good,andI haven’t even burned the house down.” I stuck out my tongue at her.
“Yet,”she emphasized.
“Go ahead.” I laughed as I started to pour the batter into the three cake pans on the counter. “I’ll be right behind you guys.”
“After you,” Cash said to Grace, gesturing to the back patio door. With one last glance over her shoulder, Grace let him guide her outside.
I put the cake pans in the oven and said a silent prayer that those baking lessons with Liv had paid off. I scrubbed my hands over my face, a nervous tension building inside me. I’d decided I was going to try to get her to sing some of the material we’d been working on together for the guys. I knew the second they heard us, they’d see what I’d seen this entire time—that she was destined to be on stage, and that together, we were magical. I hoped their excitement would help her realize she wanted to give this a shot.
Then, there was the matter of my gift for her. In the little time I hadn’t been with Liv, I’d written a song for her. I had every intention of singing it to her for her birthday, but after our encounter a couple of days ago at the penthouse, I’d grown increasingly worried she’d never let go and give me a chance, musically or otherwise.
I’d spent months being uninspired, but when she came along, the floodgates opened up. I knew the second I sang this song for her, there was no turning back. She’d have no doubts about my feelings for her.
I knew I had to share it with her. I had to tell her how I felt.
My heart raced, and my palms began to sweat. I was scared she would shut me down, and I could lose her forever.
But I knew deep down, she was a risk worth taking.
Chapter 15
Liv
“Are you sure you leftyour keys in here?” I asked, shoving my key in the front door. “I could have sworn you got your sweater out of your car before we left.”
“Ummmm, yeah. I’m positive,” Ella replied, sounding completely unsure. “I must have left my car unlocked. I think I left them on the kitchen table.” I flicked the switch next to the door.
“I could have driven, you know. We don’t want to be late picking up Grace.” I started down the hall, and Ella closed the door behind us.
“It’ll take two seconds,” she promised, her heels clicking behind me. I entered the kitchen, but before I could even slide my hand over the light switch, the room was suddenly illuminated.
“Surprise!” A chorus of voices shouted, and I shrieked, one hand flying to my mouth as the other reached for Ella’s arm. My eyes adjusted, and the faces of everyone around me came into a twinkly-lit view.
“What the…” There stood Brady, Derek, Luca, Dallas, Katie, Cash, and Grace. Finally, my eyes settled on Jax at the center of them all. I turned to Ella. “Did you… ”
Ella shook her head gently, turning her gaze to Jax. “It was all Jax’s idea.”
“You did this?” I could feel tears forming behind my eyes as I turned to face him.
“I had alotof help.” He stepped toward me. “I know we haven’t known each other long. Many of the people in this room haven’t known you long, but I…wewanted you to know how special you are, today and every day. Grace, will you do the honors?”
