Page 73 of Selling Out
I face her.
Part of me is happy she came to me for this, weird as it is. Imean, she could have gone to Noah, and I have no doubt the man would’ve gladly kissed the hiccups out of her.
But the other part of me is wondering if it was a bad idea to attach getting rid of the hiccups to kissing me. It’d be great if Mia liked kissing me for kissing me’s sake instead of because she’s desperate not to have the hiccups on stage. With Noah Hayes.
And then there’s the fact she didn’t tell me about the duet with him.
But now’s not the time to discuss that.
“Listen, Mia,” I say, taking her face between my hands. “You’re going to be amazing, okay?”
Hic!
“You’ve got this.”
She nods, and I can see she’s trying hard to believe me.
“But just in case…” I search her eyes, then press my lips to hers.
I’ve kissed Mia a few times now, but this one feels different, probably because this isn’t just about hiccups for me. This is about the fear Mia is slipping away from me before I even get a real chance with her. So, I kiss her like this might be my last chance.
She’s about to go on stage and sing Noah Hayes a love song… and be serenaded right back. I’m thinking it’s best to hedge my bets.
If my kiss were actual words, it would say, “Choose me. Please choose me.”
She slowly pulls away, her eyes fluttering open like she realizes this kiss was different, and she isn’t quite sure what to think of it.
I let my hands drop and stare at her, waiting to see if it worked. What if she still has the hiccups? Would she take it as a sign that whatever we’ve had is fizzling?
But no hiccups permeate the silence between us.
“I should go,” she says. “We’re going on soon.”
I nod and try for a smile. “Break a leg, Mia.”
She smiles. “Thanks.” She reaches for the door, then pauses. “And… thanks for your help.”
“Anytime. Literally.”
She laughs softly and leaves the room.
I wait twenty seconds, then follow, wondering what’s become of my life that I’m sneaking into closets multiple times a day to kiss a girl. It’s like I’m in junior high.
Noah goes on stage first, singing two of his well-known songs. Then he announces Mia, who glances at me and takes a big breath.
I give her a smile and a thumbs up, then watch her walk on stage.
“Our little baby,” Rose says, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. “All grown up and living her dreams.”
“I wonder how she got rid of the hiccups,” Kelly says, stealing a significant glance at me. “She was really freaking out there.”
“Shh,” I say as the music starts.
Mia’s voice comes through the mic a bit shaky at first, and every muscle in my body clenches. A few seconds later, she’s got it under control, and I relax. She’s ready to wow this crowd.
When her voice and Noah’s join at the chorus, my joy on her behalf suffers a minor setback. And when the two of them stare at each other as they sing, my joy is un-full. My cup runneth under.
Am I being dramatic? Absolutely. Do I know how to stop? Not a chance.
