“It was nice meeting you.” My gaze lingers on his, the connection between us something that’s both a thrill and terrifying.
“See you tonight.” He waves and then his friend is pulling him out of the store. Probably on to another unsuspecting and innocent woman who will fall for his good looks and rock star vibe.
If he’s faking interest, he sure puts on a show, looking over his shoulder three times on the way out. Each time, he catches me staring back because I can’t seem to tear my eyes away. I shake my head. The last thing I need is to chase a hot rock star.
“Oh, my God!” Jenn practically screams once they’re outside.
I cringe and rub my ear. “Seriously, Jenn.”
“How are you not freaking out right now? He totally was into you!”
“He’s just trying to fill a venue.” I blow her off, but that excuse doesn’t feel true. Wild and I shared a connection—an instant attraction I’ve never experienced before, and now that he’s gone I’m shaken by the experience. I pretend to flip through the shirts on the next clothing rack.
“Liar.” She calls me on my bullshit, one of the reasons she’s such a good friend. “I saw the way you two were eye fucking each other. I think you might be pregnant.”
“Stop.” I roll my eyes and laugh.
“I’m gonna pay for these.” She holds up the clothes she tried on earlier.
“Okay.” I wander toward the front of the shop, mostly to get some space and clear my mind. A little to see if I can spot Wild through the storefront’s wall of tinted glass. My stomach falls with disappointment when I don’t.
Which is so not my style. I don’t pine for bad boys or chase something that’ll only hurt my heart in the long run.
“Ready?” Jenn’s loaded down with four bags. The girl can shop.
“Yeah,” I say and step forward, holding the door for her as we exit. It’s a warm afternoon now that the clouds have cleared, and I slide on my shades for the walk back to Jenn’s car. Also, because they provide a little protection as I search for Wild in the crowd of Saturday mall-goers. Only, my effort is for nothing because we don’t run into him again.
“Okay, in all seriousness, you’re going tonight,” Jenn says, popping open the door to her Mazda and piling her bags in the back. She meets my gaze from over the roof of the car before getting in. “You have to.”
“To the concert?” I pull open my door and sit, buckling up as she starts the car. “You know I can’t. I have to work.”
“Oh, my God. Please. Stop,” she whines. “You don’t have to be so damn responsible. Live a little.”
“There’s no way I can get someone to cover my shift tonight. It’s too last minute.” Plus, I really need the money. I don’t say that part though. I don’t need to levy my problems on anyone else. Not that she’d even get it. Twenty years old and she still gets a weekly allowance from her parents. It’s why she dragged me out to the mall in the first place.
“Call in sick. Something. You have a hot guy who wants you and you’re going to pass on that?”
“I can’t.” I sigh, because although it goes against everything I’ve worked for, I’m so tempted. “But you should go.”
“Without you?” She rolls her eyes. “No way. Besides, it wasn’t me that boy was digging.”
“What about Luke—or Lucas?” Shit. I’ve already forgotten.
“Not my type. Besides, I’m hanging out with Cody tonight.” She’s got a thing for jocks, so it makes sense she’d pick a frat boy over a musician. Heck, normally I would rather be at a football game cheering on our revered Highlanders. “Just promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?”
At the stoplight she twists in her seat to meet my gaze. “Don’t let the world pass you by. You deserve some fun, especially with how hard you work. Promise me you won’t give up on the possibility of something good just because it doesn’t fit in your plan.”
Her words cut to the core. I swallow back the surge of pain that comes from their truthfulness and glance out the window so she won’t know how much.
Don’t let the world pass you by. Is that what I’m doing? I’ve been so focused on my goals, getting through my coursework and setting myself up for the life I want. I can’t just bail on work, but if I don’t go tonight am I missing out on an opportunity I’ll always regret?
“Promise,” I answer with a gentle whisper, one she might not even hear above the radio. I want to see Wild again, just this once, even if it is the worst idea in the world.
Wilder
“She here?” Lucas asks, clasping me on the shoulder as we step off stage.
“Who?” I pack up my guitar, pretending I’m confused by his question, but we both know who I’m looking for. I searched for her in the crowd the entire time we were on stage.
“The girl from the mall.” He rolls his eyes, lips twisting to a smile as he meets my stare. “Cut the crap, Wild. You’ve had a hard-on from the moment your eyes collided with hers.”
“Reading Big John’s bodice-rippers?” Our bandmate is forever picking up romance novels.
“Fuck off.” He shoves at my shoulder and laughs. His face sobers as he takes in the people milling around. With our set finished, it’s time to tear down our equipment so the next band can set up. “She’s really not here.”
“She said maybe.”
“Still.” He shrugs, buckling his guitar into its case. “I thought she’d show.”
“Me too.” I don’t mean to admit it aloud, but the words slip past my lips regardless. “We loading up?”
“Eh, the guys got it.” He takes my case along with his and stacks them with our growing pile of equipment. Matty and Big John are on stage taking apart his drum kit, and Keat is flirting with a few girls nearby. I expect Lucas will join him, but he surprises me by nodding toward the bar. “Let’s go get a drink.”
“They’re gonna be pissed.” I laugh, picturing the shit they’ll give us, but walk toward the bar regardless. When it comes to the grunt work, Lucas and I get out of most of it. I’m surprised Big John, Keat, and Matty haven’t revolted—or at least staged some sort of payback.
“Two of whatever you have on tap,” Lucas shouts to the bartender, and holds up two fingers.
While at the bar, my eyes flick to the door each time it opens. I half pay attention to Lucas as he talks about the show and what we should change. Normally, it’s the type of conversation that would steal my attention. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to our music, so much it causes actual fights within the band. But for once it’s the furthest thought from my mind. I’m still stuck on the girl from the mall, and kicking myself for not getting her number. The more I sip my beer, the more my hope of ever seeing her again disappears.
But then the door opens. A woman steps inside, and my heart practically stutters.
It’s her.
Simone.
And fuck if she doesn’t look even better than this afternoon. She’s not dressed like most of the concert goers, opting for casual jeans and a top. She also stands out with her lack of makeup and hair pulled back in a ponytail. But there’s no denying her natural beauty or banging body.