Page 118 of Fauxmance

He left, and like a fool, I watched him go. Was this what it felt like? I wondered. Was falling for someone always accompanied by this heart-in-your-throat, I-don’t-know-what-to-do-with-myself feeling?

My mind was so preoccupied that as I was moving to find a seat, I ran into a table.

"Sorry, I—" My eyes widened as I caught sight of the person occupying said table. She was obviously incognito. The black hat, sunglasses and black trench coat were a good disguise. The corner she'd picked to sit in was shadowy and kind of hidden. Still, I knew who she was immediately by her impeccable posture.

"Mrs. Davenport?" I said. "Is that really you?"

"I told you before," she whispered, "it's Constance, dear. And of course, it's me. Now stop gaping like that or you'll blow my cover."

"Are you here to see Hayden?" I took a seat one table away from her.

"No, I'm here for the lovely atmosphere," she snarked then composed herself. "Yes, I'm here to see my grandson. Are you going to tell on me?"

I shook my head. "Not if you don't want me to."

She sighed in relief. "Thank you. I'd rather remain anonymous."

"In that outfit?" I said then chuckled when she threw me a look. "Just kidding. I think you look great."

"You do, too."

"Why don't you want him to know you're here?"

"Because I don't want to rattle him," she said. "Even as a small child, Hayden got nervous whenever he had something important coming up. I'd rather support him in my own way."

It was clear that her intentions were good.

But…

"I understand," I said. "And I won't tell. I really think he'd love to know you're here, though."

She scoffed. "Hayden would probably be mortified if he knew."

"No, he wouldn't."

"You are so opinionated," she said.

"Is that a bad thing?" I asked.

Constance's lips twitched. "I'm still deciding."

She ducked down a second later and hissed, "No more talking. He's looking this way."

As I looked up, Hayden was indeed looking around. His eyes locked on me a second later. I met his stare and waved. He grinned, and it went straight to my heart. There were flutters in my tummy.

And that was before the band started to play.

CHAPTER 22

HERS was killing it.

They had a unique sound somewhere between new alternative rock and 80s pop. My ears ate it up with relish. Elliot's voice was silky smooth. Quiet Ryker was a beast on those drums. And Santino…well, he was milking every moment onstage. I wasn't sure I'd seen a finer showman live in person. It would've been hard to say who was the best. And maybe I was biased, but Hayden kept drawing my eye.

Okay, I thought as he went into a guitar solo, I was definitely biased.

But the guy was talented.

He was a star. Like, literally, Hayden's playing shined through every song, every moment. He blended with the others when he needed to, but when he came out on hisown?Man, it was something to behold. Hayden captivated the audience. They all went wild when he played. Girls were swooning left and right in the crowd—not literally, but I knew hearts were stolen that night.

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