Page 11 of Dangerous Love

My mouth froze open, though soundless, as I decided how honest I wanted to be with my therapist. “Is there a right and wrong answer?”

She shook her head. “Nope.”

“Okay, then we’d go back in time, and there wouldn’t be any of this BS about not being able to be together. And maybe we wouldn’t work out, but at least we’d know.”

Evelyn tilted her head, a proud smile on her face. “Very good. Now, what would be the worst-case scenario, Sienna, should you get back on the scene with Riley?”

“He’d make fun of me, or completely reject me as a friend, and I’d be even worse off than what I am now.”

“Okay, fair enough. Now, for this next part, I’d like you to consider the most realistic case scenario. Not the best case, not the worst case, but the most realistic story that’s bound to happen if you allow yourself to get back into your friendship with Riley?”

Emotions filled me, my throat suddenly dry. “Realistically, Riley and I will only ever be friends, but he does care, and I’d be okay with that. And all my freak-outs about turning up to Youth Legacy orBello A&G Italianowould be in the past.”Everything would be back to normal.

My therapist remained silent as I made sense of my own words. God, I hated that she was right. All I was doing was hurting myself and the people who loved me by running away constantly.

“I don’t want to think about the worst-case scenario anymore, Evelyn. I think you’re right. The ship has sailed when it comes to puppy love, but I’m missing out on friendships and family memories.”

She sent me a tender smile this time. “Yes, you are. And the real question now is what are you going to do about it?”

A quick flick of my wrist had my smart watch lighting up. Five o’clock on a Friday night. My heart jackhammered in my chest as my decision morphed like a lotus kissed by sunshine.

I know exactly what I’m gonna do.Leaping to my feet, I made my way to the door. My cheeks hurt from my newfound grin. I waved Evelyn goodbye, and right before I left, I said, “I’ve been invited to a gig. I think I’ll go.”

CHAPTER6

Riley

From a distance, Grace waved at me between chatting to a couple of waitresses and prepping for the busy night. She buzzed around, making sure the tables were perfect, the staff ready, and the music gear loaded onto the small stage. Then, when she was satisfied with her usual Friday routine, she opened the doors to the restaurant and welcomed the guests as she ticked them off the reservation list.

Avery wasn’t lying when he said the booking sheet had exploded for Friday nights.

Holy shit.The house was packed. Even more than last week. While I didn’t want to blow my own horn, after the seventh person telling me they booked tonight just to see me play, maybe therewassomething of a local whisper happening. When Avery told me they were turning the restaurant into a mini club after ten, I’d laughed at him, but as a few of the guys from Youth Legacy built a more private space on the other side, slight nervousness drone through my gut. There was no turning back. Tonight, I was putting on my first real show.

“How do you feel, kid?” Avery smirked at me, his chin thrusting towards the bodies around us.

I arched an eyebrow. “Guessing scared shitless ain’t very manly, right?”

He laughed and slapped me on the shoulder. “Riley, I’ve watched you play for the last two years. Trust me. You’ve got this. It’s no different from every other week. Except you’ll be playing on this side of the building a bit later.”

I leaned forward and took a good look at my new playpen. “Just a tad bigger. Darker. Oh wait,” I deadpanned. “A complete mini club with me in the centre. No biggie.”

“Think of the hot girls who are coming late tonight just to see you. You can thank me later.” Avery passed me my guitar, pointed to my stool, and said, “Go have fun. I gotta get to my kitchen or my woman will have my balls.”

I chuckled as he left, then stepped onto the platform. I settled on the chair, my fingers softly picking at the strings as the guitar tuned itself like it was begging to play. The second the arpeggios hummed their way into the air, my heart rate slowed right down, like a newborn being sung its favourite song. My shoulders dropped, my hands relaxed, and I let my voice warm to my lyrics while all the people around me disappeared into the abyss.

Five minutes turned into three hours, and by the time Avery had me moved to the back of the building, a new crowd filled the space. A younger mob gathered around soft chairs, as a few couples danced on the makeshift floor. Above me, the disco light sent silver rays flashing through the room, and I floated in my own world, with music as the only anchor for my thoughts.

The crowd clapped at my acoustic version of “Let It Be,” the love birds in front of me kissing as I put my guitar down. Drenched, I bowed my head, wiped my brow, and lowered myself until my water bottle was opened and the liquid flowing down my throat. It cooled me, the post-show adrenaline still pumping hard.

My eye caught a figure looming by my side, and I turned to the shape leaning on the wall. Tight pants, white tank top, long dark hair cascading to her waist, and a smile I’d have recognised amongst any crowd.Fuck, she’s more beautiful every day.

Sienna stood a metre away, something different twinkling in her eyes. She stepped towards me. “That was amazing,” she murmured. She gripped her elbow with one hand as she approached me like a gazelle walking into the lion’s den.

“Hey.” Eyes wide, I met her halfway. “You came.”

“You invited me.” She glanced towards the stage and lowered herself on the small step.

I followed her. “Welcome back.” I forced my mouth shut, the shock still coursing through me. After three years of the Sienna sabbatical, here she was, finally back in the land of the living. “Does Avery know?”