The Duke and the DJ (The Rebel Royals 3)

Applause jolted her thoughts. She stepped off the raised platform as a nondescript track played while the main event set up. She'd been playing in these small underground clubs across Cordoba for the last week, making just enough cash to afford a place to rest her head each night.

It was all she needed. Just a bed. Food had no taste. She couldn’t hold a conversation with anyone. She could barely hold another’s glance for longer than a few seconds.

Everything about her felt heavy. Especially her heart. She was a walking cliché. But she'd get over it.

Clearly, Zhi had. He hadn’t contacted her on any social media. He’d taken the money and run.

She knew she should do the same, run that was. But she couldn't bring herself to board a plane or boat, even though now she had enough money for a ticket.

Spin pinched the bridge of her nose. When she opened her eyes, she saw a dark figure standing in front of her. She yelped and jumped back.

"Hey," said Lark. Her voice was nonchalant. Her hands on her hips as she regarded Spin.

“I told you to stop doing that."

The two women glared at each other. Then Spin's heart lurched. She was here. Spin wanted to pull her friend into her arms, but Lark’s hands were crossed over her chest.

"No, you stop," said Lark. "You're the one that pulled the disappearing act this time."

"How did you find me?"

Lark rolled her eyes. "Like it was hard. You're not as good as you think. Especially in your profession where you play loud music. Of course, we heard you."

We?

"The real question is why did you think you had to run? What did you think I’d do? You know my parents aren’t perfect."

Lark knew. Of course, she knew. She’d been standing in the hall when Mr. Schiessl had announced her real name.

"I've only ever belonged to my mom," said Spin.

“Well, you belong to me too,” said Lark. “We're bonded for life. No matter where you might end up, we're family."

Spin's heart felt hot. The corners of her eyes pricked with tears. They reached out at the same time and folded themselves around each other. Lark hugged Spin so tightly that her feet left the floor. Spin breathed Lark in, and her head filled with sparkles.

"What are you still doing here?" Spin said when Lark pulled away. "You have shows back in Nice.”

“I got a new gig.

"

"What new gig?"

"I'll tell you later. Right now the next guy’s up."

Spin didn't care about the headliner. She only cared about her friend and what their next step would be. Because it would be together. Spin didn’t want to be alone anymore. Neither did she want to leave Cordoba. She wasn’t ready to be off this island and away from all of its people just yet.

She was ready to tug Lark out of the club. Then she heard the first notes from the speaker. Spin’s head turned slowly, carried by the lull of the notes. Lark had said we.

The first notes of the piano made her feel like she was floating on air. Her gaze lifted, and she saw him. He stood over a keyboard, his lithe fingers moving swiftly but lightly.

He said he never performed in public. But there he was in a suit and coat with a graphic T that said You Spin Me Round.

Zhi looked into the crowd, finding her gaze. He smiled down at her with that crooked grin, and her heart burst open. He winked, turning his attention back to the instrument before him. He lifted his hand and flicked a switch and then the unmistakable notes of a polka sounded.

The crowd, which had taken a few tentative steps towards the dance floor, came to a dead halt. When the electric beat mixed in between the sound of the keys and the strings of the polka, a few heads bobbed. Then after a few minutes of the harmonious beats, the bodies began to move in earnest.

Spin swayed but not to the beat. Her steps were to get herself closer to him. When she got to the stage, he reached for her and brought her into his arms. Had the world been spinning before this, because everything was calm now.