Mm-hmm
The music fades and Leo smiles at me, offering me that secret smile he used to give me when we were kids and we knew we might get into trouble for something we planned to do.
But he never got me into trouble. He always protected me.
He pulls me into a tender hug, then pulls back and gazes down at me. I don’t hear the applause around us, or the audience asking for more.
Leo leans in and whispers in my ear, “I’ve really missed you, Meg-pie. I love you.”
He kisses my cheek, right next to my lips, and backs away, and I grin at him. “I love you too.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Will
I stand transfixed and watch the woman I adore sing my favorite love song with another man. And even though I know she loves Leo as a brother, I want to punch him.
Hard.
Her sweet voice fills the air, and I am even more in love with her in this moment than I was before she walked up on that stage, and I didn’t know that was possible.
She’s so fucking talented.
And sexy as hell in that dress, with her hair up, showing off her slender back and soft neck, and the diamond earrings I bought her a few weeks ago. I can’t wait to get her out of it and make love to her. I just never get enough of her.
Forever can never be long enough for me.
Damn if that isn’t the truth.
The song comes to an end, and Leo pulls Meg in for a hug, whispers something to her, and because I’m standing straight ahead, I can’t tell if he kisses her on the cheek or the edge of her lips.
My hands tighten into fists.
Then he pulls away from her and she mouths the words, “I love you too.”
Fuck me.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Meg
I wave at the crowd and carefully walk down the stairs in my heels. That felt fantastic. I didn’t realize how much I missed playing in front of an audience, especially with Leo. I hope I get to see him again while he’s in town.
I cross the dance floor, and Jules and Nate meet me in the middle to hug me.
“Thank you so much. That was so beautiful,” Jules murmurs in my ear as she hugs me.
“You’re welcome.”
“Thank you, beautiful girl,” Nate hugs me close too. Wow, holy muscles on this one. I smile up at him shyly.
“My pleasure. Congratulations, you guys.”
The family all hugs me and tells me that they loved the songs, but my eyes are searching for Will.
“You didn’t tell me you knew Leo Nash, girl,” Samantha mutters with a grin. “I’m going to want to hear this story.”
I laugh. “We’ll get together soon and I’ll tell you all about it.”
Finally, I find Will, standing back from the crowd. His face is sober, hands in his pockets, and the light has gone out of his eyes, and my stomach falls into my feet.
Something is very wrong.
“Hey,” I say as I approach him.
“Hey,” he responds.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, but he just shakes his head.
“Meg, that was amazing,” Natalie and Luke are suddenly at our side.
“Seriously, Meg, I know people,” Luke’s smiling, but his voice is all business mode. “I could make some calls on Monday. You should be singing for a living, my friend.”
I’m shaking my head and holding my hands up for them to stop. “No, thank you.”
Will’s eyes narrow on me, but he stays silent.
“But, why? Meg, music has been your life for as long as I’ve known you,” Natalie responds.
“It’s not my life now.” I shake my head again and sigh. “I love music. I always will, but I love my kids at the hospital.” I shrug. “I’m happy here. I don’t need to be the center of attention.”
“If you change your mind, just say the word.” Luke leans in and kisses my cheek. “I could help make you a very rich woman.”
“I’m already rich,” I respond with a smile. “I don’t need the money.”
Luke tilts his head and a slow smile spreads across his incredibly gorgeous face. “Fair enough.”
Nat winks at me and they walk away, off to mingle with other guests.
“Talk to me,” I whisper up to Will when he still says nothing, just gazes down at me with sober eyes.
He shakes his head. “Not here. We’ll enjoy the reception. But we will talk later.”
My mouth gapes open and I just stare up at him. What the hell did I do?
“Okay,” I murmur. He nods once, sharply, and leads me back into the crowd to mingle and chat. He smiles and plays the perfect brother for the rest of the evening, but never puts a hand on me. Never looks at me. If I rest my hand on him, he steps away from my touch.
It’s fucking killing me.
“Will…” I begin when we have a moment alone, but I see Leo approach from the corner of my eye and I sigh as Will stiffens next to me.
This is the issue.
“Hey, Meg, we’re taking a break. Is this Will?” he asks and I raise a brow in question. “Jules’ dad mentioned you’d snagged Will’s heart,” Leo answers my unspoken questions and I grin.
“Yes, this is Will. Will, this is Leo.”