Dangerous Rock (Dangerous Noise 3)

That makes it my turn. Okay. I can do that. I know what I want to sing too. I find my favorite sexy 80s song in the book and punch in the number.

The lyrics fill the screen. I try to sing from memory, but I don't quite manage. I'm stiff. Awkward. Unable to look at my audience.

Okay, maybe I'm not a performer.

But I do want to seduce Joel.

At least a little.

He's looking at me with his eyes wide. His expression is proud. He motions keep going.

I do. I look at him the entire song, but I do manage to get some feeling into my performance. When I'm done, I hand the mic to Piper.

"That was my first time," I admit.

Joel pulls me into a kiss. "Angel, that was an amazing first."

Everyone else offers similar sentiments. I can't absorb the exact words with Joel this close.

Piper takes the stage. She sings a familiar Gwen Stefani song and she does it well. When she's done, she pulls her boyfriend, erm fiancé, into a deep kiss then sends him to sit with the other judges.

"I have to confer with my opponent." Joel squeezes. "Give me a good luck kiss."

I plant a kiss on his cheek.

He shakes his head. "This is a good luck kiss." He slides his hands into my hair and pulls me into a long, deep kiss.

His tongue slides into my mouth. His movements are patient, like he's savoring this, like he has all the time in the world.

But we don't.

There's tomorrow.

Then there's our appointment.

I sigh as he pulls back. "Break a leg."

He blows me another kiss then he pulls Mal outside with him.

"I can't believe he did that." Piper bites her lip. "Kit hates to sing."

"It didn't seem like it," I tease.

She blushes. "I suppose you'll never be surprised by your husband doing something bold."

"I suppose not."

Joel is bold.

And he's confident.

And he makes me feel like it's worth being in the moment.

Maybe I can handle telling my dad about law school.

Maybe it's okay that I haven't figured out my entire life.

Joel and Mal confer in the hall for a minute. Then they're back.