Page 64 of Sew Matcha in Love
Also, I couldn’t have. His teammates and their significant others were beside and behind me, making an exit impossible.
“How’s it going tonight?” Brendan shouted into his microphone, and the crowd cheered. “Marshy and I have a surprise for you all. Now, Monty, I know you weren’t expecting this, and we do apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Zaki explained. “You see, I gave you a very heartfelt and thoughtful birthday present. Two, actually.” He tapped his heart and turned to Monty, who was now at the side of the stage, eyebrows raised coolly, but inside I would bet he was seething. “I went out of my way after the bird release to drop the second giftoff on your doorstep. And youreturnedit. It hurt, man. It really hurt.”
He made a sad face and paused, the guests allawwingand further fueling his act.
“So.” Brendan again. “He decided to try a little harder. During the band’s break, we arranged to bring you…”
“Karaoke!” Zaki announced.
“Oh my!” I laughed.
“Look at Monty.” Penny giggled. “I think these two will have to double their donation if they want to attend next year!”
“At least!” Brenna agreed.
“So, do I have any requests?” Zaki asked the audience.
“I have a request,” Brendan replied. “I’m in the mood for some ABBA.”
“ABBA, huh?” Zaki asked. “I didn’t know Monty liked ABBA.”
“Only one way to find out,” Brendan suggested. “Let’s, ah,take a chance?”
Brenna snorted and leaned into my ear. “This isgold!Save my spot while I get my phone!”
Brendan wrapped his fingers around the top of his mic. “Take a chance, take a chance, take a chance.” He repeated the phrase over and over as the music filtered in.
Zaki watched him pace the stage, hyping the crowd with his free hand and getting the guests to join in his background vocals. Then he turned to face the audience and hit me straight on with the first line of the song. It was like he was speaking to me directly, telling me if I changed my mind, he’d like to be the first in line.
But it was just a song, right? A song Monty didn’t like, a gag to prank him back?
An explosion couldn’t have touched the magnetism keeping our eyes locked. I clapped along, mouthing the backgroundlyrics, but no sound came out. There was a line about being all alone when the pretty birds had flown, which was enough for the audience to believe he was referencing the prank war, but I’d bet my business the lyrics were a veiled message to me.
He couldn’t get me off his mind?
He dreamed about being alone with me?
He knew I was afraid of starting a love affair?
I stopped clapping and fanned my face.A fan!I should’ve brought a fan! Why hadn’t I thought about bringing one to hide behind?
Because you don’t need to hide when you’re with him.
The realization struck me like a puck to the face. Stopped me short. Hurt a bit.
Okay, a lot.
A lota lot.
As I watched him ham it up on stage, a fire burned inside me. It started as that warm glow in my cheeks, then moved down to my chest and fanned out all over, setting my nerves on fire. And when the song ended, he handed Brendan his mic, jumped down from the stage, the sea of people parting, and strode straight toward me like a man on a mission.
He must have seen the panic on my face, because he slowed as he approached. “Join me for a walk in the gardens?”
I nodded. “Let’s go.”
We fled the stifling ballroom and retrieved our outerwear from the attendants. I tucked my arm in his, and we followed the signage to the doors that led outside. The cool blast of air stung my face, but I welcomed it.
