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Molly pulled her rentalcar into one of the last empty spots in the hotel lot. Historic Franklin was gorgeous. She was glad she stuck around for the weekend. She was even happier that she went out, to enjoy the town. Staying in her room all day with a random guy would’ve been an absolute waste of the gorgeous day.
And for the number of times she told herself that throughout the day, she almost believed it.
Throngs of people in costumes milled around the entrance and spilled through the front doors. They seemed to have doubled in number since the night before. It must be nice to be that enthusiastic about something. She shouldered her way through the groups. She wouldn’t look for Brandon. Not even a glance. She headed straight for the elevator.
She’d go upstairs, put on a pair of heels and her leather skirt, then take a cab downtown and drink until she couldn’t think, drowning herself in live country music.
Perfect plan.
“Miss Whitman.” A voice struggled to carry over the crowd.
Molly spun at her name, attention landing on the front desk and a gentleman waving to catch her attention. He held out an envelope as she approached. “Someone left this for you.”
She opened the flap, surprise and unwanted hope blooming inside at the sight of a convention pass and something she didn’t recognize. She looked at the hotel clerk again. “Did they leave a note with it or anything?”
He shook his head. “I wasn’t here when they dropped it off.”
“Thanks.” She gave him a wide smile and headed toward the elevators again, a bit more of a spring in her step. Okay, so she’d spent the day trying to get him out of her mind, but one more night would definitely be worth it. Besides, she’d fly out tomorrow, the temptation would be gone, and she’d have incredible memories to take with her to the next town.
Within a few moments, she’d returned to her room, changed into the outfit she’d set out for the bar, and was back down amid the crowds. This time she tried to flow with them instead of moving around them. She wandered the same paths as groups of people in neon and spandex. She had no idea where to find Brandon. Packs spilled out of the open conference rooms on the second floor and melted into the crowds on the first.
She didn’t even know where to start.
A long line—longer than the autograph line had been—wrapped around one corner and then another. That looked promising.
She spotted a familiar face and made her way toward Andie and her friends.
Andie looked startled to see her at first, but her surprise quickly faded into a smile. “Who’d you borrow from, this time?”
Molly laughed. “I got my own. What’s the line for?”
A shorter girl next to her rolled her eyes. “Yuta Furukawa. Duh?”
Molly stared back blankly. “The what?”
Shorter Girl sighed and pursed her lips.
“He’s a singer,” Andie said, voice soft but steady. “From Japan. He’s doing a concert tonight.”
“Oh.” Molly pulled out the ticket that had been with the con pass from Brandon. “Like this?”
“Duh?” Short Girl grunted in disgust.
“You can join us in line,” Andie offered. “Otherwise, you’ll be waiting out here forever.”
“She’s not even a fan,” Shorter Girl argued.
Standing in line longer meant she could scan the crowds, which was great, unless the person she was looking for was already inside. In her experience, it was almost impossible to find someone in a packed concert. With her odds at fifty-fifty, she opted for the easier surveillance. She gave both girls a smile. “Thanks, but I can’t cut. I’ll wait my turn.”
“Stupid.” Shorter Girl’s insult hit Molly’s back, as she searched for the back of the line.
Two hours later, Molly finally reached the entrance. Someone else told her the doors weren’t even open yet when she arrived. The heels had probably been a bad idea. And there was still no sign of Brandon. She squeezed her way to the back of the room—they’d opened the four main convention rooms downstairs, to make one larger venue—and found a spot near the wall. There were no seats left.
What was she doing there? There was no way she’d find anyone in this chaos. And the lights were going down.Great.She crossed her arms.What now?
A warm body pressed against her back, and she shifted to move out of the way. Two hands rested at her hips, and the familiar scent of soap and cinnamon greeted her.Brandon.
She couldn’t help her smile. Not that anyone could see it in the now pitch-black room.
