Page 40 of Keep Me Never
I don’t realize I’m still staring until her head turns, and those big, blue eyes find mine, the happiness within them forcing air into my lungs.
I open my mouth to tell her something I shouldn’t when we’re interrupted.
“Miss Paige?”
We look toward the end of our row, only now realizing thecrowds have completely cleared, and it’s just us and a few people standing in the back still here.
“Where did everyone go?” she asks the man who led us to our seats.
“I believe they headed down to the bar.”
“Oh.” Paige hastily stands, and I move with her, my hand finding her lower back to guide her to the aisle. “Sorry, we’ll get out of the way.”
“On the contrary, Miss Paige. I came to lead you backstage. Mr. Randolph has arranged for you to take a peek around, should you wish.”
“Really?” she nearly squeals, and a low laugh leaves me.
“Follow me.” He smiles, turning.
Paige bounces in her heels, reaching back and gripping my hand, tugging me along. I’m not even sure she realizes it, but I hold on regardless.
We wind down a few flights of stairs, and after pausing for a few minutes for the area to clear, the man leads us through another side door, where we wait a little while longer.
A man in a green, glittery jacket pokes his head in and gives our tour guide a thumbs-up, only to disappear just as fast.
Our guide turns and gives us a little bow. “The room has cleared, Miss Paige. Enjoy your look around, but please keep to the main stage area.”
“Of course, thank you.” She yanks me forward, practically running to the edge of the stairs that will take her onto the stage. She pauses there, looking up and over her shoulder at me. “Why am I nervous?” She laughs.
My lips curve up. “I don’t know. Why are you?”
She reaches up to shove me, only then realizing our hands are still locked together. Her cheeks pinken, and I can’t help but chuckle. Slowly, reluctantly, I release her, only to wrap my palms around her arms. I bring my lips to her ear, whispering, “Go on,” as I give her a little nudge.
She goes instantly, but I don’t follow.
I step back down and around the wall, coming out on the other side, so I’m looking up at her on the stage from the ground floor.
She looks back, frowning when she doesn’t see me, so I give a little whistle, and her head yanks my way.
Paige smiles and then she gives a little spin. One spin turns into several and my brows jump as she becomes a blur of movement. But she gets closer to the edge with each one, and I start to panic. Moving closer, I grip the stage and haul myself up, getting to my feet right as she slams into me. My arms come around her and she drops her head back with a laugh, her body arching like she’s boneless, making me panic even more.
So I tighten my grip around her and her upper body snaps up, colliding with mine.
She’s smiling, breathing heavily, looking up at me through thick pieces of her hair that have whipped us both in the face. So I gently gather all the loose curls, pushing them back over her shoulder.
“Thanks,” she says, her happiness bleeding into her soft tone.
I swallow, nodding.
Her palms are still on my chest, but her eyes slide around the space, and she sighs. “Man, this place is so beautiful.”
You’re beautiful.
The words are on the tip of my tongue, but I don’t let them out, slowly releasing her from my hold instead.
I take a few steps back and lower myself so I’m sitting on the edge of the stage, one leg hanging over, the other bent, so I can face sideways, keeping her in my line of sight.
She walks around a little, moving close to the final backdrop and inspecting it with wide eyes. “This is so surreal,” she says, looking out at the rows of empty seats before us.
