Page 16 of Second Chance Spring in Paradise

I’ve been up since four a.m. and can barely keep my eyes open, but the bigger issue is that Adam doesn’t let people listen to them practice. Especially people he wanted to punch a few hours ago.

I shake my head and open my mouth to remind Tessa about what happened, but her eyes go wide with understanding before I can.

“Oh, right.” She bites the corner of her lip before breaking into a smile and grabbing my hand. “So we’ll listen outside.”

She pulls me to the side of the restaurant where there’s outside seating and big, open windows that anyone inside can see us through. But the makeshift stage they’re playing on faces away, and Tessa still has my hand, so I take a chance we won’t get caught. Even if we do… even if Adam comes out here and threatens to knock me out, the look in Tessa’s eyes will make it all worth it.

Glowing lights zigzag across the awning above us. Their light dances in Tessa’s eyes, bringing out the blue there. The band moves from a fast song to a slow one. A cover of Willie Nelson’sYou Were Always On My Mind.And between the way Adam’s pain comes through the words he sings and Tessa’s soft smile, I begin to understand how a particular woman could always be on a man’s mind.

Before I know who moved first, Tessa is in my arms, and we’re swaying to the music. I press her hand close to my chest. With my other one on the small of her back, I hold her close. She rests her head on my shoulder, and I breathe in the sweet smell of her hair and skin. The scent of my leather jacket is layered in there too, and that feels right.

I close my eyes, and we turn in slow circles, like the song was written, and the music is playing, just for us.

The only complaint I’ve ever had about Willie Nelson is that his songs are too short.Always on My Mindis no different. It ends long before I’m ready to let go of Tessa.

When she doesn’t move out of my arms, I hope she’s praying as hard as I am that the next song will be another slow one. But the only thing that follows is the sound of talking and the click of guitar cases being opened.

“Show’s over, Rowdy!” Sebastian calls through the open window. “Take your girl home, and dance with her there.”

“Careful, Seb.” I warn over my shoulder.

Tessa pulls away. Still smiling, she gently slides my hands from her waist, and I’d like to give Seb a good smack. He never can keep his mouth shut. Especially when it comes to reading too much into a situation.

“We should go,” she says. “Before Adam decides to pick a fight again.”

I know she’s right, and I hold up a finger. Because I also know Adam’s not going to stay quiet about my being here.

As if on cue, he yells, “I already told you once I didn’t want you here.”

“And there it is.” I put my finger down. “I knew he’d say something, and you’re right, we should go.”

Her hand stays in mine—our fingers twined loosely together—as I walk her to her car. I wouldn’t mind moving a little faster, what with Adam’s latest warning, but she lags behind, looking up.

“The sky really is beautiful here. Paradise is the only place I’ve ever seen stars this bright.” Her fingers slip from mine, which makes me stop and follow her gaze up.

“I’ve been to a lot of places, and I’d have to agree with you there.” Sometimes I forget how beautiful the sky here is. I get so busy, I forget to look up. “I used to love sleeping outside on summer nights looking for shooting stars.”

I glance from the sky to Tessa, but her eyes aren’t on the stars anymore. They’re on me, and there’s a look of confusion there I can’t figure out. Did I say something wrong?

“You mean you’d sleep totally outside? Not in a tent or anything?” she asks.

I nod. “All the time. You’ve never slept outside?”

She raises her shoulder in a slow shrug. “Maybe once or twice in a tent, but never justoutside.”

“Not even on a trampoline or something?”

Tessa shakes her head. “We never had a yard big enough for a trampoline. We never had a grassy yard, for that matter. Just hardscape.”

I adjust my hat, trying to take in what she’s just told me. No kid should go their whole lives without sleeping under the stars. Not even grown-up kids.

“We’ve gotta do something about this,” I say.

“We do?” Her brow creases into a soft V. Clearly, she doesn’t understand the seriousness of the situation.

“We do.” I let go of her hand and guide her toward her car. “This is a problem that needs to be rectified tonight when there’s a meteor shower expected.”

“What are you proposing, Rowdy?” She asks over her shoulder as her hair cascades over the other one. There’s no worry in her voice, but no flirting, either.

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