Heat rushed into her face as multiple fantasies of them together appeared in her mind. He hadn’t been mesmerized by her beautiful sister. That was a first. “I’ll gladly remind you.”
Zane’s hand slid to her waist as they walked toward the door.
“I hear it’s karaoke night. Do you enjoy singing, Zane? I bet you have an amazing voice,” Erin said, her voice dreamy and inviting.
“I’m not the singer McKenna is, but I can belt out a tune fair enough.”
“I bet it’ll be fun.” Erin paused. “My father always said it was too bad I didn’t get McKenna’s great singing voice. He said with my looks and her voice, I could’ve been a star.”
McKenna tensed. She’d forgotten Erin’s talent for getting in little digs.
“Everyone’s got something to bear,” McKenna said. No matter what someone’s troubles, Erin believed her situation proved worse. “We’re off. Don’t wait up.”
After closing the door behind her and Zane, McKenna inhaled deeply, exhaled, and sloughed off the pain her sister’s comment dredged up. She refused to let anything spoil tonight.
“After meeting your sister, I understand why you come into work stressed out,” Zane said as they walked to his pickup. “I pegged her as having pretty girl syndrome the minute she greeted me.”
He explained that meant she expected the world should cater to her whims because she was attractive.
What? Zane really hadn’t been impressed with Erin. Not only that, but he’d seen through her sister’s performance? McKenna stumbled, and his arm slid around her waist to steady her. “I’ve wondered if loaning Erin money would be worth it to get her on her way while I’m still sane.”
“Could be that’s her plan.”
McKenna straightened. “If that’s what she thinks, then that pretty girl’s going to be disappointed.”
“Atta girl. My money’s on you.”
Zane held the door as she climbed into his truck. Once he sat behind the wheel, she said, “She hinted, hoping I’d invite her tonight, but—”
When she paused not wanting to admit she hadn’t wanted to share Zane or compete with her sister, Zane said, “She’d suck up all the oxygen in the room?”
She laughed and nodded.
“Being roommates doesn’t mean you have to invite her.” He paused. “Your sister and your father are wrong, you know.”
“About what?” she asked, despite being fairly certain what he meant. The voice comment.
“Saying she should’ve gotten your voice. That’s a pile of shit. You’re pretty enough to have a singing career, if you wanted, and don’t let anyone make you think otherwise.”
Her heart expanded. Euphoria exploded inside her, filling every empty nook in her soul. Zane believed in her as no one had before. How could she not love this man and how would she bear it when he left?
*
When McKenna andZane arrived at the Horseshoe, they found Cooper and Cheyenne already seated. After a quick dinner, they moved closer to the stage.
McKenna chewed on her lower lip and scanned the room. “I didn’t expect this many people. Maybe I’ll watch tonight.”
As Zane pulled out her chair, he said, “It’s karaoke night. NotAmerica’s Got Talent. No one judges and definitely no buzzers.” He nodded toward Cooper. “Good thing for Coop because he’d get threeXs.”
“I’m not that bad.”
“You’re not that good either,” Zane teased, hoping to put McKenna at ease.
“That’s your opinion,” Cooper countered.
Zane glanced at McKenna, finding her back board-stiff and picking at her nail. Had what her sister said kicked in her stage fright?
What father put one daughter on a pedestal while tearing down the other? One who was an ass. Something else he and McKenna had in common. Whether she sang didn’t matter. It was her choice, but whatever she decided, he’d help any way he could.
