Page 32 of Lyric & the Heartbeats

Lyric laughed as she walked alongside Desi out of the room. At the last second, she turned her head, shot him a smile, and waved her hand at him. Then she was gone around the corner.

Nohen turned to the other two in the room. They were staring at one another, a silent conversation passing between them.

“Desi’s right,” he said, pulling their attention to him. “We need to get to know one another. If you can keep from being a buzzkill,” he grumbled with a pointed glare at Emerson, “I’d like to get to know you guys too. Come on.”

Without waiting for their response, he left the room and made it outside just as his phone vibrated.

A group text from Desi—with a location attached for a fun, casual restaurant.

He glanced down at his outfit and considered it casual enough. Straight leg jeans, a button-up with suspenders, and boots wasn’t too much. Considering his destination, it was probably best he wasn’t dressed to go out.

Now that would be too much.

With a chuckle, he slid into his car, typed in the address, and followed the GPS all the way to the restaurant.

By the time he arrived and located the two women, it was nearing 4pm, just early enough to beat the dinner crowd, just early enough to have the back dining room to themselves. The restaurant was nice, and without the stress of trying to recall twenty new songs, his shoulders relaxed under the dim fairy lights and the scent of warm spices.

“There you are,” he greeted as he walked to the table hosting Desi and Lyric.

“Here we are,” Lyric said, and scooted her chair over to make room for him around the circular table.

The fairy lights shined over her long, strawberry blonde hair, and Nohen tried not to stare for too long… And failed. From the lights to the exposed brick and the live plants, there was plenty to hold his attention, but he was stuck on the omega right next to him.

“Are you nervous at all?” he asked, laying a menu in front of him to pretend he wasn’t only interested in Lyric.

“About what?” Lyric murmured as she glanced to him out of the corner of her eye.

“About touring with us.”

To be honest? Nohen was nervous, though he wouldn’t admit it to Lyric. He’d never been much for socializing, and hanging out with someone twenty-four hours a day didn’t sound so appealing. Nor did… how did Desi phrase it? Walking on eggshells around everyone.

“Yeah, I am,” she admitted.

Nohen did a double take. He hadn’t expected her to be so honest.

“Why?”

“Mainly… the pack thing. I’m an unmated, independent omega. I’m looking for a band, not a pack. But even while I can tell myself that all day long…” She trailed off and ran her finger up the side of her water glass, clearing the condensation along the way. “I’m worried about setting those boundaries.”

Desi tsked. “Boundaries are important. Don’t let the alphas intimidate you, they’ll listen if you tell them. And if not? Nohen and I will take care of it.”

“Is that so?” Lyric chuckled, and a lock of her hair fell in front of her face.

“Sure will,” Nohen agreed. “I’ll distract, and Desi can stab them with her drumsticks.”

“Teamwork makes the dream work,” Desi announced and winked. “Now, what do you think of this place? Amber brought me here for our first date,” Desi shared, effectively changing the subject.

Lyric responded, but Nohen was only half listening. He was still stuck on her smile. The way she’d belted her heart out in the lyrics, the notes ringing to the top of the open space—he could still hear them in his mind.

He wanted to hear her sing again. But not just that. He couldn’t wait for tour, wait for more opportunities to hear her laugh and see her smile. He wanted everything she’d be willing to give him.

Warmth infused his veins, and he sipped the icy water to chill him out.

Right. She’s not looking for a pack. Message received.

Someone cleared their throat, and he glanced up to find Desi and Lyric staring at him.

He wiped at his mouth, afraid he’d spilled something during his selfish daydreams, but his hand came away clean. “What?”