Page 21 of Believing in You

Nyla had never experienced this type of lure to anyone, and though she didn’t want this to end, it had to. She needed answers.

Reluctantly, she slowly broke off the kiss. They were both panting, and Harrison didn’t release her. Instead, he lowered his forehead to hers.

“Hi,” he said simply, and Nyla couldn’t help but smile. He truly was a man of few words.

She leaned back and met his eyes. “Hi. What are you doing here?”

He eased his arms from around her. “Getting ready to do something I haven’t done in a long time.” He picked up his instruments. “We’ll talk in a couple of hours,” he said and then jogged up the three stairs to the stage.

Okaaay.She had questions. Lots of questions.

Though she was exhausted and had planned to hide in the office for a little while to get rid of her nagging headache, she made a beeline for the bar. As she approached, Jamie, the sneaky snake, flashed her a grin.

“Harrison?” she said, unable to form any other words.

“Yup, he plays the saxophone, the bass, and he played the drums in college. I guarantee customers will be asking for him to return to the stage after they hear him.”

Nyla glanced at the stage. “I had no idea.” It looked like he was going to start with his bass guitar. The shiny silver instrument looked extremely expensive as it gleamed under the fluorescent lights.

“Of course you didn’t have any idea. He doesn’t talk about himself, and very few people know how musically talented he is. Which is something else you two have in common.” He sighed loud enough for her to hear him over the chatter around them.“I know I’m sounding like a broken record, but I like the idea of you and Harrison together. Granted, in most areas, you guys are opposites. He’s ridiculously neat, and you’re…not. He likes order and typically follows a routine. You don’t, mostly.”

“Hey!” she shoved him with her elbow even though he was telling the truth. Yet, she didn’t need the reminder that there were areas in her life that needed some attention.

“Still, you two are just what each other needs. He’s wound too tight, and you can loosen him up. As for what he can do for you? He can ground you. Be that stability you need…like an anchor, but without weighing you down. Get to know him, Nyla. You won’t regret it.”

“I’ve tried!” she snapped. “Jamie, I can’t force someone to open up to me. I like Harrison, and I know the feeling is mutual, but I refuse to throw myself at a man.” Even if she felt deep in her soul that he would be worth the effort. “The ball is in his court as they say.”

Nyla returned her attention to the stage. Her senses came alive when Harrison introduced himself as Dark Knight Rider, and he started playing the instrumental version of “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie.

He looked so relaxed and comfortable on stage, but Nyla noticed he had pulled his hat down even lower, shielding his eyes. Was he really trying to hide himself? Or was the look, the fedora and him dressed in black, just part of his stage persona?

Whatever it was, it worked. The place was packed, maybe even over capacity, and he definitely had the women’s attention. The way he was playing the bass, he was owning the moment. Especially when that song rolled into the next, and he started playing and singing Bill Wither’s “Ain’t No Sunshine.”

Nyla’s mouth dropped open.And he can sing?

So caught up in his rendition of the song, it was easy to forget they weren’t the only ones in the building. Nyla felt every note,every chord, and every word to the depths of her soul while his deep baritone carried the melody with such precision.

“Oh. My. God. He’s amazing.” If she hadn’t already been interested in Harrison, this new revelation would’ve done it.

Jamie laughed. “I wouldn’t have asked him to do this if I didn’t know how good he was. He used to play in a few clubs while we were in college. He also wrote music. Once he started his career in IT, he didn’t play as often, but he still dabbled around a little. He has an impressive music room in his home. You should get him to show it to you.”

Nyla glanced at Jamie. “Seriously?” Hell, she could barely get him to talk. What made Jamie think she’d ever get an invite to his house?

Jamie nodded, that cocky grin still firmly in place. “Yeah, I’m serious. Don’t give up on him yet. I have a feeling things between the two of you are just getting started. Be open to the possibility.”

Nyla didn’t respond as she watched Harrison. Him being on stage was a good start at letting her see a different side to him. She also couldn’t forget the way he’d greeted her a few minutes ago. Now that? Had definitely caught her off guard. She might be concerned about his mixed signals, but she absolutely couldn’t deny the connection that pulsed between them.

“Why hasn’t he participated in open mic nights?” she asked. “He’s unbelievable.”

Jamie’s grin slid from his lips, and he shook his head. Whatever he was thinking probably had something to do with what Harrison had admitted the other night.

“A few years ago, he went through some shit, Nyla. I’m talkingseriousshit. Even after he made it through, he refused to play anymore. He had even mentioned selling his instruments because he didn’t think he’d ever have the desire to play again.”

“I guess that changed,” Nyla said, glancing at Harrison. What a waste of talent it would’ve been if he’d given up music.

“Yeah, over the last few months, he’s been slowly coming back around. Before that, he refused to play in public. I honestly wasn’t sure he’d do us this solid, but once I told him you needed him, he agreed.” Jamie shrugged and walked away to fill an order.

Nyla’s heart melted. Harrison was doing this for her despite vowing to never play in public again. She didn’t know how she’d ever repay him because this was one of the sweetest things anyone had ever done for her. Playing on a stage in front of strangers was no easy feat even if you were talented.

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