Part 177 (2/2)

”I thought of roses, but it was too late.” He stood back. ”You look

incredible.”

”Thanks.” Struggling to steady her breath, she took her own survey. He

was dressed for the stage in snug white leather studded with silver.

Boots of the same style and color came halfway to his knees. With his

hair tousled and the half-smile on his face, he made Emma think of a

smartly dressed cowboy.

”So do you,” she managed when she realized hbw long she'd been staring.

”Look incredible.”

”We want to make a splash.” He rubbed his palms on the thigh of

his pants. ”All of us are half sick with nerves. Don-the ba.s.s

playerhe's all the way sick. Got his head in the john next door.”

”Dad always says you perform better when you're nervous.”

”Then we ought to be a h.e.l.l of a smash.” Tentatively, he took her hand.

”Listen, have you thought about maybe going out after, having a drink?”

She had thought of nothing else. ”Actually, I-”

”I'm pus.h.i.+ng.” Drew let out a long breath. ”I can't help it. As soon

as I saw you-it was like, wow, there she is.” He dragged a hand through

his carefully mussed and moussed hair. ”I'm not doing this very well.”

”Aren't you?” She wondered that he couldn't hear her heart thudding

against her ribs.

”No.” He took her hand. ”Let me put it this way. Emma, save my life.

Spend an hour with me.”

Her lip curved slowly until the dimple winked at the corner of her

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