Page 76 of Before the Encore

“We can work it out.” Madison’s mouth quirked. “I’m not perfect, but I can promise you that I’ll try. I’ll give you everything I have.”

“Madison Moore…the romantic.” She traced Madison’s mouth with her thumb before perking up. “Oh my god! Does this mean I can do your chart, please?”

“Fine.” Madison huffed, rolling her eyes. “But my gran is going to roll in her grave, and that’s on you.”

Bonnie laughed, leaning into the heat of Madison’s body.

“I’m glad you called me this morning.” Madison’s mouth curved, adding, “Nora.”

Bonnie kissed her, smiling into the kiss. “Me too.”

* * *

Bonnie held the last note until her lungs burned. The crowd roared, the noise vibrating underneath her feet, their faces lit by the bright lights before everything blinked into darkness. Bonnie exited into the wings with her band close behind, her skin buzzing with adrenaline. Kelsie handed her a towel and a bottle of water, the screaming and shouting deafening, demanding an encore. She took a grateful sip, then wiped the sweat from her brow.

“This has been your best yet.” Madison approached from one of the shadows, and Bonnie couldn’t stop the smile from splitting her face.

She’d been smiling so much that her cheeks ached.

“Thank you. Your set was incredible too.”

“I think my pre-show preparations might have helped.” Madison’s gaze fell over her with appreciation, undressing her with her eyes.

“Interesting. You’ll have to give me some pointers.”

Her voice lowered, just for Bonnie. “I’ll give you anything you want.”

Bonnie’s stomach pulled, suddenly aware of the pulse in her throat.

“Which is why I spoke with the crew.”

“What?”

Madison scratched the back of her neck, a nervous tic. “Our song. For the encore. We can do it acoustic, the way you wanted it…if you’d like.”

Bonnie didn’t understand. She looked to her band, standing a few metres away, and Duncan, her guitarist, nodded, his dark, wavy hair parted down the middle.

“You just need to give them the word.”

“But I…I haven’t practised it.”

“You have. You know the songs inside out. You’re always playing the acoustic version backstage.”

“What about the dancers?”

“They’re waiting for your call.” Madison held Bonnie’s shoulders. Soft. Reassuring. “There’s no pressure. I just…I wanted you to be able to play at least one song the way you wanted, to end the tour with your stamp. It’s up to you. It’s your choice.”

The crowd chanted, “We want more! We want more!”

“You ready?” Kelsie appeared, pushing her glasses up her nose. “Are we running version one or version two?”

Her heart beat steady in her chest, the noise of the fans filling her ears. Adrenaline pumped through her veins.

Bonnie hesitated. She should really run something like this by Bailey first. But it was her name out there. It was her that the fans had come to see.

Could she? Dare she?

I’m Bonnie fucking Bloom.