Page 76 of The Romance Library

‘What’s with the tux?’ I said, trying to distract myself.

‘You’ll see.’ Theo smirked. ‘How are you feeling?’

‘Terrified.’

‘You’ll be fine.’ Theo took my hand in his and gave it a little squeeze.

My head bolted up and my eyes widened. The sensation of his hand sent a jolt of electricity racing through me. But as my gaze connected with his and I saw the genuine softness in his eyes, I felt better. Stronger. Like he had my back. Just like on that roller coaster.

‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ Barbara announced, ‘it’s my pleasure to introduce to you our final act. Please put your hands together for Sunshine Bay’s newest residents: Jessica Johnson and Theo Eaves!’

As the whole pub clapped, still holding my hand, Theo led me to the stage. It was only when he went to sit in front of his keyboard that he let go. But it was enough. Feeling his palm wrapped in mine gave me the shot of adrenaline I needed to start.

‘Ready?’ He looked up at me.

‘Yep.’

Theo played the first notes, and after taking a deep breath, I started singing a slowed-down, gentle version of Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake It Off’.

When the audience realised what the song was, they cheered loudly.

Yes! This was a great start.

At the end of the chorus, Theo paused, just like we’d planned. But what he did next definitely wasn’t in the script.

Theo reached for his bow tie and tugged it off, followed by his tux jacket, which he threw into the crowd of women who’d gathered in front of the stage. They all screamed and clambered for it like they were groupies at a Harry Styles concert.

Next he rolled up his sleeves, unbuttoned the top three buttons of his shirt and turned to face me.

Wow. That was hot.

‘Let’s go!’ he shouted before kicking away his stool, standing behind the keyboard and resuming the song.

After I’d composed myself, I started singing along, this time at the faster pace, just like the original version.

Theo played the keyboard more dramatically this time, rocking his head to the beat and swinging his hips, and the same group of women, which I now noticed included Janine, went wild.

As the song got closer to the end, Theo gave Barbara a nod, and seconds later, the backing track sounded around the pub. Theo came out from the keyboard, took my hand and started dancing.

‘Time to freestyle!’ He smiled at me.

‘Oh!’ My eyes widened. When I’d tried to get him up on his feet with me during our first rehearsal, Theo had said he wasn’t much of a dancer. But from the way he was flicking his hips, I knew that wasn’t true.

Theo spun me around the stage and I giggled like a schoolgirl. We both shimmied and shook our arses around, dancing and laughing together like no one was watching.

‘Now to seal the deal,’ he said just loud enough that I could hear. He went to the front of the stage, held out his hand and helped Nancy, the Dreamland trip organiser, onto the stage. Then he got Glenda up too, twirling them around just like he’d done with me.

The smiles on their faces were bigger than a jumbo jet, and as I looked out to the crowd and saw everyone on their feet dancing along, my heart bloomed. They were enjoying our performance. And most importantly, they were enjoying themselves.

When the song came to an end, Barbara returned to the stage.

‘Wow! What a performance! That was so much fun! Ladies and gents, give it up for Jessica and Theo!’

The cheers and applause were deafening, but in the best way. Theo looked at me, a wide grin spread across his face and he took my hand again. This time, he held it up in the air triumphantly, then we both took a bow.

‘Thank you!’ we said in unison.

‘Results will be announced in half an hour!’ Barbara said just before we headed off the stage.

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