She didn’t know whether to run into the bar screaming his name or sneak in like the spy Reid had accused her and Maggie of being. Right now, nothing made any sense.
She took a deep breath and walked through the door, opting for the less dramatic entrance choice. The lights were low and candles dotted the tables. From behind the bar, she saw the bartender leaning on her elbows, eyes fixed on the stage. Blair scanned the room, skipping over the locals who were listening to the performance. There he was, sitting on the stage, holding his guitar. She walked in as the song he was playing ended.
The handful of drinkers started clapping.
“One more before I take a break, y’all.” Justyn spoke into the mic. “This is something new I just wrote. So just indulge me for a minute. I’m bearing a little of my soul tonight.”
Blair’s throat tightened. She stepped one foot in front of the other and slid into an open seat.
“Whoooo, baby. You sing whatever you want!” one of the fan girls shouted from a nearby bar stool.
Blair shot her a death stare.
Justyn’s laugh filled the bar. “Calm down, Cora. I’ll play your song in the next set.”
Blair thought he winked at the girl. Maybe this was a mistake. A huge mistake. One note launched into the air, followed by another, then Justyn started to sing.
Summer winds in your hair
Feeling more than the salty air
I should have known when you smiled
That you were taking my heart
When you left this sleepy town
So why did you have to kiss me like that?
Girl, why did you have to kiss me like that?
With our feet in the sand
And your body in my hands
There was no way to keep from
Falling under your spell
So why did you have to kiss me like that?
Girl, why did you have to kiss me like that?
Summer rolled out like a wave
You’re gone, but I still see you in this place
So why did you have to kiss me like that?
Girl, why did you have to kiss me like that?
The small crowd erupted in applause. Justyn looped the guitar strap over his head and placed the instrument next to his stool.
Blair had no words. Her heart pounded in her chest. He had written everything she had been feeling for the past month. All of the things she tried to escape and ignore in Dallas, he had managed to capture in a song—an amazing, beautiful, heartbreaking song.
The butterflies in her stomach were now a full flock of seagulls. If she didn’t talk to him, she was going to explode.
Blair stood, ready to intercept his path at the bar. As he made his way off the stage, he shook a man’s hand and then, in an instant, Cora was next to him, handing him a beer. He squeezed her shoulder before taking a few swallows.