Page 40 of Her Rock Star's Dark Secret

Josie wasn’t wrong. Chase had seemed more hostile than friendly to Maisy back in high school. “Yeah.” Lauren’s voice drifted off.

“So clearly, he’s crushing.”

“Clearly, I am.” Oops. Chase had finished his conversation with Noah, and both men were staring at them now. He entwined his fingers with Lauren’s. “Want to go pick out a song for karaoke?”

“Okay.” She glanced over her shoulder, back to Josie and Noah as Chase led her toward the DJ’s booth. Josie gave her two thumbs up and let out a ridiculously loud catcall. Lauren rolled her eyes. “She’s ridiculous.” But she couldn’t wipe the smile off her own face. Being with Chase was fun. Being at Dixie’s was fun. And it had been a long time since she’d allowed herself to have fun. It was a freeing sensation.

“What should we sing?” Chase asked when they’d approached the DJ’s booth.

“How about one of yours?” Lauren suggested.

Chase groaned. “Really? That’s so embarrassing.”

“Embarrassing? Haven’t you sung all your music like a billion times?”

“Yes. About that many times.”

“And you’re worried about singing your own stuff at Dixie’s?”

“Yeah. That’s exactly right.” Chase folded his arms and gave her a look that dared her to challenge him.

“You’re a weirdo.”

“So what if I am? What are you going to do about it?”

“Make you sing your music with me. I want a live performance. And I want to be part of it. Plus, I like your music.”

Chase unfolded his arms. “You do?”

“Mmhmm.”

Chase grinned at her, causing her heart to flip flop in her chest. He leaned dangerously close to her, his eyes locking with hers. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Lauren’s breath caught in her throat, and her voice dropped to a whisper. “You should. I have excellent taste in music.”

“I have excellent taste in women.” He looked deeply into her eyes. “I’m very choosy with who I ask out.”

And he was out with her tonight. Lauren’s head spun with his words.

“You two want to sing something?” Larry, the DJ for the night, asked.

“Yes,” Lauren said. “We want to singTalk to My Heartby Remington Sound.”

Larry nodded. “I’ve got you down.”

Chase rose his eyebrows at her. “Talk to My Heart?”He’d teamed with singer Lacy Thompson for that one. It was one of his most popular songs. She wasn’t sure what he’d think about singing it with her, but she was dying to find out.

“Don’t get your hopes up. I’m no Lacy, but I can hold a tune.”

“I think I’m more nervous than you are.”

“We don’t have to do this if you’re too chicken,” Lauren teased.

“Ouch. You’re brutal.”

“I’ve been called worse.”

A few people were before them in line, so Chase led Lauren over to the dance floor. A rowdy country music song was playing. “Do you know any Country Swing?”

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