Page 9 of The Bride's Billionaire

He groaned. “Not yet. Don’t bring us back to reality quite yet.” He reached for her hand. “This has been an amazing night.”

She ran her thumb along the back of his hand. “I agree. Okay. We don’t have to talk about it.” But she was starting to become very curious about him. And, if she was honest with herself, she was starting to hope that tonight wouldn’t be the end of it. Perhaps when she returned to her hotel room, she would have his phone number.

Once everyone had finished their food and the speeches were made, Tyler and Kayla started to wish they could move on. But, as if summoned by their plan to face fears, Marguerite stood up and announced karaoke.

“No way.” Tyler looked to Kayla. “That is fate if I’ve ever seen it.”

“Does this mean we have to swim in the dark?”

“If we do, we’ll do it together.” He stood, gently tugging her hand. “Will you join me?”

She jumped up. “Of course. Are you really gonna do this?”

His face was pale, his hands sweating. He swallowed a few times. And then cleared his throat. “We have to.”

She followed him, impressed with his courage. “You don’t have to.”

“No, I do. It’s a thing. What are the chances they announce karaoke at the very wedding,” he looked around and then leaned in to whisper, “we sneak into?”

“What are you gonna sing?”

“We.” He turned to her. “I don’t know. What shouldwesing?”

The announcer at the front called out. “And now we’re looking for our first volunteers.” A spotlight shone through the room, and when it stopped on Tyler and Kayla already making their way to the stage, everyone in the room cheered.

Kayla laughed. “I wonder if they’ll ever realize they don’t know us.”

“Probably not. Just keep smiling.” Sweat beaded on his forehead.

“You okay?”

“No. I’m petrified.”

“We literally don’t have to do this.”

“I told you we do. I need you, Kayla.” He turned to stare into her face, his eyes panicked. “Make me do this.”

“I will.” She rested a hand at the side of his face. “And best part? You’ll never see these people again.”

He gripped her hands.

The announcer shouted into his microphone. “Give it up for our two singers!” He waved them up on stage.

She pulled him along, her arm looped through his as his feet moved more and more slowly the closer they got to the microphone.

“I think I might throw up,” he said between his teeth.

“Don’t you dare.”

“What song, folks?” The guy eyed Tyler. “Is he okay?”

Kayla laughed. “Sure. He always gets like this.” She ran a finger down the list. “How about this one?”

“You got it”

Tyler stopped being able to function. He stared out at the crowd in front of them without seeing anything. She nudged him, handing him a microphone. “The words will be right there.” She pointed to the screen. He nodded in a daze.

“Look, Tyler. Look at me.” She gripped his jaw with one hand. “You have to sing. Or it won’t count, and then you’ve come all the way up here for nothing. I asked for the song “I Don’t Know Much, but I Know I Love You”.” She sang it quietly to him. “Have you heard that one?”

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