Christmas Connection

“I know.”

“And she listens to you?” Tommy motioned to the door. “Go.”

His best friend knew him too well. Jackson couldn't let her leave. It was as if the crowd was under a spell as she sang.

Jackson hurried after her outside, bypassing the people walking to and from the entrance. “Bailey!” Though a car alarm went off, it didn't deter him from reaching her.

She stopped in her tracks and turned around.

He didn't hesitate but walked closer. “Don't go.”

She shook her head. “I need to.” Bailey grabbed her keys. “I shouldn't have done that.”

“Why not?”

Her eyes narrowed at him. “I'm not a singer, Jackson.”

He chuckled. “You could have fooled me, Bailey. That was incredible. Why don't you sing?”

Bailey wrung her hands together. “I just... don't.”

Jackson stepped closer. “I don't want to pressure you. I know we don't know each other well yet, but there's something about you and I...”

She looked up at him. Her eyes shimmered. “You... what?”

“I want to know more,” he said.

Bailey's eyes lowered to her feet. “I've never felt that before.”

“Felt what?”

She raised her chin. “Free.”

Jackson inched closer. What was this pull between them? He didn't know her. What was her favorite color? What was her middle name? Yet, why did he sense that he knew her heart? The way their eyes locked when they sang together. Even their voices blended.

“Don't go,” he said.

Bailey sighed. When she licked her lips, Jackson's breath hitched.

Tommy shouted. “Jackson!”

He groaned but turned to see his friend. “What's wrong?”

“Mac needs an answer,” Tommy said.

Jackson said, “Can you give us a minute?”

Tommy nodded his head and went back inside.

Jackson then turned to Bailey once more. “Well?”

Bailey rubbed at her arms. “I don't know if I can do that again. It felt incredible, but I'm not a professional.”

“You're a natural.”

“Thank you, but this is different,” she said.

He focused his eyes on her. “I think you can do it.”