The rest of them followed Bailey out of her dressing room. Zoe clutched her phone in her hands. No response from Alex since she sent her last message. Shifting her eyes, she spotted Tommy and Jackson in the hallway. Her brother didn’t hesitate to hug her.
“Thanks for coming,” he said.
She clutched his hands in hers for a moment. “Have a great show.”
He nodded and took Bailey’s hand, leading her to the stage. Zoe stepped forward only to have a hand clasp hers. She grinned and pivoted to face Alex. His eyes shimmered, and it only made her heart palpitate.
“I’m going to...” Roslyn said, interrupting their moment. “Find our seats.” She extended her hand to Alex. “I’m Roslyn, her best friend.”
“Alex.” He returned the gesture.
“I’ll save you a seat.” Roslyn left them alone in the hallway.
Zoe gasped when Alex held her closer and hugged her tight. She melted into his embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck.
He buried his face in her hair. “I hated it when I couldn’t talk to you.” He drew back and cradled her cheek in his hand. “All I wanted was to hold you.”
Zoe didn’t know what to say. Alex’s eyes were bright, and his touch was soft. His hand traveled down from her cheek to her neck.
“We’re okay,” he said.
The corners of her mouth quirked. “Okay.”
Alex pressed his forehead to hers. He groaned as his hands circled her waist. “As bad as I want to kiss you, I can’t. I have to go.”
“Go,” Zoe said.
He dropped his arms from around her and stepped away. He paused. “Then again, why waste the moment.” He turned back and bent his head towards her.
Zoe smiled, cupping his face in her hands. When his mouth brushed over hers, she gasped. Alex laughed and deepened the kiss. He wrapped his arms around her waist. His mouth was warm.
Alex shielded her to his chest, and she accepted him. Her hands fastened to his arms, but then she trailed them to his neck, her fingers brushing his nape. Alex only kissed her deeper, as if he wanted to give her everything.
She linked her fingers behind his neck for a moment. If he could give, she would meet him halfway. There was no point in fighting anymore. She was falling for him.
Zoe’s heart hammered inside her chest. Her fingertips tingled as she grazed his clean-shaven face. Alex moaned against her mouth.
“You have to... go,” she said in between kisses.
“I know.” He said, capturing her mouth once more.
She smiled against his mouth. “You have a show, Alex.”
He kissed her one last time and then ran his thumb over her lips. “I’ll see you later.”
She gestured to the stage. Alex grinned and joined the rest of the band. Zoe released a cleansing breath. She felt her pulse in her throat. Alex kissed her. She touched her lips with her fingers. Could she handle this? She wanted to try. Zoe then pressed her way through the crowd and sat in her seat next to Roslyn.
“So?” Her friend asked.
Zoe adjusted in her seat. She’d tell her about the kiss later. “We’re okay.”
“Just okay.”
Zoe sighed. “I haven’t felt this way in a long time. I... sometimes it feels too good to be true.”
Roslyn’s face fell. “When are you going to tell Jackson?”
Zoe didn’t want to think about it. “I don’t know. Let’s enjoy the concert for now.”