With a nervous smile, I scanned the crowd for Ethan. Instead, my breath stalled as I spotted a gorgeous, well-dressed blond guy watching me.
His striking blue eyes held mine.
Damn.
He’s not the usual type we get around here.
Why couldn’t I have run into him on my night out instead of when I’m up here competing?
His lips curled into a heart-melting smile, and my pulse kicked into a wild sprint.
The top buttons of his pale-blue shirt hung open, and my gaze drifted lower, over the rolled cuffs, along the strong lines of his forearms, to his tanned hands resting casually by his sides.
I reeled inwardly at his powerful physique.
Who is he?
As all eyes rested on me, the crowd’s chatter fell away while my panic climbed higher with every passing second. I did another sweep of the room.
Shit. Where are you Ethan? Without you, I don’t stand a chance of winning this.
I scanned from left to right again, this time pausing where I’d last seen that head of blond hair and those magnetic eyes. But he was gone, unexpected disappointment flickered through me.
My heart leaped when I spotted a shaggy mess of auburn hair and broad shoulders. But when he turned around, it wasn’t Ethan staring back at me.
Well, he’s not here, and I can’t do my duet without him. This isn’t like Ethan… what the hell do I do now?
3
GODDESS
KARSON
Dyson talked to the redheaded woman for a while before he wandered over, murmuring something about her joining us soon.
But I barely took it in—my full attention was on the stage. Even though the crowd pushed me toward the back of the room, I could still see her over a sea of heads.
She scanned the crowd as if she were looking for someone, then a hush fell over the room as the show began.
The sight of her knocked the air out of my lungs—she’sgorgeous.
Dyson stood nearby, oblivious to my captivation.
“Dyson.” I nudged him with my shoulder. “There’s something about that girl. I can’t look away. I mean, obviously she’s beautiful, but that’s not it. There’s something else. I can’t define it,” I finished breathlessly.
He raised a curious eyebrow, then turned to see who had so completely caught my attention.
Who is she?
There was an ache in my chest.I need to know.
“What the hell is wrong with me, Dyson?” I muttered. “My heart’s pounding out of my chest… I’ve gotta meet this girl.”
“Bro, you’re catching feelings,” Dyson said, leaning closer. “Karson Wells, the monk, is officially dead. When Cupid strikes, we’re all powerless, my friend.”
I elbowed him playfully as another wave of people pooled in front of us, pushing me even further away from her. I shuffled to the right so I could still catch a glimpse through the crowd.
As she broke into an elegant walk down the runway, a hush fell over the room.
