Page 63 of Pink and Country

I woke up with an untamable grin on my face. Whatever I did, shower, make tea, or meditate, that grin refused to wash away.

My song.

From the moment I woke up, I tried to sing it from memory, but I failed. I could only hum the melody. Sort of.

With one goal in mind, to listen to it again, I opened the link my best friend had sent me last night. How did I resist watching it for so long?

Goosebumps bloomed all over my skin when the first words left Carter’s mouth. This time, I took the time to listen to each verse. Butterflies took off in my stomach. Nobody had ever done something as huge as writing a song for me. A song about me. The chorus started, and it took all my inner strength to not cry right there.

Girl, I just want you to know

There’s no one else like you

You are the sunshine in my storms

You color my night sky

You are the star I wish upon every night

You hold my heart, I’ll never let you go

Babe, I’m blind without you.

Flashes of last night popped in my head.

How devilishly delicious HN looked on that stage with his guitar.

How his voice soothed every fiber in me, down to the dark corners of my soul.

How every chord he played made my heart vibrate.

How his lips tasted.

The sequin dress, folded on a chair, reminded me the night hadn’t been a dream after all. I held both hands to my swollen chest.

A soft knock on my door disturbed my daydream.

I pressed pause on my phone and tripped over my feet, trying to get to the door. Frozen for a second, I broke out into a loud laugh as my eyes locked on Carter standing in the hallway. The sight of him rendered me speechless.

Carter stood there with two disposable teacups in his hands, wearing baggy cargo pants in a questionable shade of beige, a puffy, lime-green jacket, a mustard-yellow beanie, and some oversized shades. My eyes overflowed with tears, and I patted the moisture under my eyes with my fingertips. “Ohmygod, HN, Halloween was months ago. What is this?”

His gaze licked me from head to toes, lingering on my breasts, showcased in my tight white shirt. My laughter died in my throat. Did I forget to put on a bra? I cupped my boobs, just to make sure. No. I didn’t. No clothing mishap. Carter swallowed before meeting my eyes again. I clamped my legs shut and exhaled. Carter looking at me this way shot warmth down my spine.

I blinked, tongue-tied.

I stopped fondling myself, dropped my hands, and took a calming breath.

“Good morning to you too, Fairy. Today, I’m giving you a tour of my city. I don’t want us to be chased after, so I decided we’d get creative and dress up for the occasion.”

Carter walked in with purpose in his steps and handed me a bag full of equally mismatched clothes.

“You can keep your jeans and shoes on, but you must hide your pink hair. I’m sorry. I love it. Very much. But if we don’t want to be recognized, we must play the part. Today we’ll be tourists. It’s a shame to hide this shirt, though. Perhaps we should stay in.” His gaze lowered to my breast, and I snapped my fingers.

“I’m up here, Country Boy.”

Carter shrugged, and his lips curved into an irresistible boyish grin as he raised his eyes.

“Not a chance, I’ve been dying to discover the city. Stop ogling me.”