Page 99 of Run Away With Me

‘Yeah.’ He gave me a small smile. ‘Don’t know if a couple out-of-towners will win at an open mic night, but I’d have you play here, if you ever wanted to.’

I felt somethingswooshin my stomach – one of thoseI can’t believe this is happening to memoments. But in a good way. Which I was really not used to.

‘I’m not sure how long we’ll be in the city,’ I said with real regret.

‘You’re just passing through?’

‘Yeah. It depends on how long we get caught here for, though.’

Liam smiled. ‘I arrived here six years ago. Was supposed to stay for a week.’

‘I don’t think we can stay here for six years,’ I said, allowing myself a moment to let the daydream turn fromsomething wispy and distant to an almost-real possibility. ‘Even though I’d like that.’

‘Well, let me know if you want to sing one night. Like I said, you’re welcome any time.’

The corridor back to the rehearsal room was dark, and I suddenly realized I’d left Brooke alone and that really wasn’t okay. It stank of beer back here, sour and sweet at the same time, but the sound of her playing the piano drifted to me after a few seconds. I walked quicker, anyway.

She looked up with real relief when I closed the door behind myself.

‘I almost came after you,’ she joked.

‘Sorry. Liam said we could play here one night, if we want,’ I said, handing over her water.

‘Really? Wow.’

‘Yeah. He doesn’t seem like a creep, either, which is a bonus.’

‘God knows we’ve had enough creeps on this trip,’ she said.

‘Tell me about it.’

It took far more messing around on the piano for us to figure out what the third song in our set should be, and then work out the harmonies. By the time we were done, my stomach was growling – we’d missed lunch and it was almost dinnertime.

‘Once more,’ Brooke said, and I flopped back on the floor, groaning.

‘I can’t. I need to rest my voice.’

‘Hum it, then.’

Liam knocked on the open door and I sat up.

‘Sorry to interrupt,’ he said. ‘I need this room in about twenty minutes.’

I shook my head. ‘No problem. We’re just leaving.’

‘Once we run this one more time,’ Brooke said sweetly.

Liam laughed. ‘I could hear you arguing all the way down the hall.’ He leaned in the doorway and folded his arms. ‘Do you sing together often?’

‘We’re in a choir together, but we don’t usually duet,’ Brooke said.

‘This is all her idea,’ I said darkly, and Liam laughed again.

‘If you want something to eat, you should try Music City Burgers across the street. Tell them Liam sent you. Best fried pickles in Nashville.’

‘We should do that.’ I gave Brooke my best pleading eyes, and she stood up with a sigh.

‘Okay.’ She nodded. ‘Thanks again for letting us use the space.’

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