Page 47 of The Perfect Melody

“Alright, I’m going to take a quick break. Make sure you get yourselves a drink and some of Sam’s delicious food.” Laughter ripples through the crowd, and the folks who were dancing head over to the bar to order as Cassie walks offstage to more applause.

“I’ll be back in a minute,” I tell Mum, already moving to follow Cassie through the staff-only door.

The last thing I expect to see when I step into my office are Cassie’s blue eyes shining with tears.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Without thinking, I step towards her, gently laying my hands on her shoulders.

To my relief, she laughs, shaking her head at herself. “These are happy tears.” She blinks rapidly, swiping at the couple of salty droplets that have escaped as if they’ve offended her. “Sorry. I swear I’m not usually so…” She takes a deep breath instead of finishing her sentence, then her small hands lightly take hold of my wrists, bringing my attention to the fact that I’m still holding her.

I go to remove my large hands from her narrow shoulders, but Cassie’s grip tightens as she looks into my eyes. “Thank you. I didn’t know how much I needed that.”

I see my eyes widen in the reflection from her glasses. “You’re thanking me?” I shake my head. “Absolutely not, you just saved the night. You were incredible, Cassie. Thank you, and consider us square.”

“Square?”

“Yeah. Forget about paying for the rest of the repairs from the accident. You’ve more than made up for it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. You’re a star, Cassie. I—Bowman’s is lucky to have you.” I don’t know what makes me say it. Maybe it’s the light in her eyes, eyes that are usually full of shadows. Maybe it’s because I can finally admit there’s far more to the woman before me than I first thought. Or maybe I’m caught up in the feelings her performance stirred in my chest.

A smile plays on her lips. “Bowman’s, huh?” Her hands glide from my wrists up the length of my arms as she steps closer. The toes of her trainers kiss my boots and my throat bobs. Eyes locked on mine, Cassie uses her right hand to play with the open collar of the green flannel shirt I’m wearing over my Bowman’s t-shirt.

I know a challenge when I see one. Doesn’t mean I’m about to give in easily. I smirk. “Yep.”There it is. The fire she had when she rightfully told me off the other day blazes to life once more.

Her grip on my collar tightens, forcing me to lean down a little. “Admit it. You’re glad I’m here.”

“Of course I am. You saved the night.”

Her teasing expression turns serious. “It was already a success. You only needed me because you promised live music. You’ve done a great job, Austin.”

The praise shouldn’t mean so much coming from someone I’ve known for a mere fortnight, but it does.

“Thank you.”

Her hand trails down from my collar and along my open shirt. I can’t help but wish she were touching my chest instead. I glide my hands from her shoulders to rest on either side of her waist.This is a bad idea. Yet with Cassie standing so close, energy buzzing beneath her skin and a spark of excitement inher eyes, I can’t quite rememberwhykissing her would be a mistake.

“We shouldn’t.” At her raised brow, I add, “I’m your boss.” Yes, that’s definitely one of the reasons I should take a big step back and pretend whatever moment we’re having never happened. Any second now.

“Don’t overthink it. You’re riding high on the reopening’s success. I’m wired after performing. We can enjoy the moment together. It doesn’t have to be anything more than that.”

It’s a tempting offer. More than tempting.

Sensing my hesitation, she drops her hands. “Unless you don’t want?—”

Reflexively, I tighten my grip on her narrow waist to keep her close. “I do.”

Her amused giggle over my eager reply cuts through the tension in the room. “Alright then. Now’s when you kiss me, Boss Man.”

Despite her words, Cassie doesn’t wait for me to make the first move, rising onto her tiptoes and reaching up to pull me towards her. Our lips are a hairsbreadth apart when the office door swings open.

“Girl, you were amazi—” Mei’s brown eyes widen and Cassie and I spring apart. “Sorry! I didn’t, um… I’m gonna go.” She backs up, bumping into the doorframe before turning and darting away.

Her interruption was the shock my system needed to bring my brain back online. What was I thinking? Clearing my throat, I straighten my overshirt even though it’s not really in disarray—I simply need to give my hands something to do other than reaching for Cassie again. “I should get back to it as well.”

Cassie’s expression goes carefully blank, all the excitement she felt following her time on stage snuffed out from one blink to the next. A sinking feeling in my core has me feeling like I’vefucked up and I scramble to make it better. “You really were great up there. Make sure you grab some water or whatever before your next set,” I add, not wanting her to think I’ve reverted to the grumpy arsehole of our early encounters. Just because kissing her would be a mistake doesn’t mean I don’t want us to be on good terms.

“Sure.” Her polite smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes.