“You ’right?” Jake’s voice softened as he stepped closer. Since his initial outburst, Jake had been considerate—not just of my feelings but of those of the ladies in my class.

  “Yeah.” I hoped. I’d learned grief hit like this—a sudden sucker punch to the chest. But I’d also learned to breathe through the intensity because I’d already come out the other side. Maybe scarred, but living my life nonetheless.

  Such as it was. So different from what I’d hoped.

  “Mila looks like that when she sees a baby. My brother’s fiancée.”

  I met Jake’s concerned, intense hazel eyes. His hair tumbled into messy waves. Like he’d let it air dry after a morning surf. Or rolled out of a lover’s bed.

  Whoa. Where had that thought come from?

  “I never lost a child, like Mila, if that’s what you’re getting at.”

  “Figured you knew who I am, read all the news about my family like the rest of the world,” he said, his dimples flashing. They were deep wells bracketing his mouth like extra commas. Dez’s dimples were smaller, just hints at humor. But, Jake, I’d bet, lived larger than my deceased war-hero husband ever had.

  The pain settled low in my stomach, same as it did every time I heard of another’s pregnancy. I’d begged Dez to try for our own child in the short months between his deployments. Often. He’d said he’d talk about baby matters when he returned from his next tour.

  “Congratulations to your brother and his fiancée,” I muttered.

  He eyed me, aware of my less-than-enthusiastic response. “So that’s why I’m here. Partly anyway. I heard your lullaby. It’s gorgeous.”

  I’d had a fantasy of Dez’s dark head singing to my growing bump. Well, except for the fact Dez barely held a tune, and he’d never been interested in music, preferring to kayak or rock climb—some physical outdoorsy activity that ate up his energy.

  “Thanks.”

  Jake fidgeted, flustered by my lack of enthusiasm. “So, I thought, well, maybe you and I could sing it. I wanted to give it to Mila and Murphy as a wedding gift. They’re getting married in February, weekend after Valentine’s Day. Probably so Murphy doesn’t fuck up and forget both.”

  I smiled, surprised by how touched I was by the thoughtfulness of the gesture. Jake Etsam might be a rock star, but he loved his family. I bet he’d make a great dad.

  Flipping hyenas. I forced my eyes away from the all the gorgeous hotness standing in front of me. And that accent—swoon worthy—no wonder my ovaries had replaced my brain.

  “That’s sweet. So, you want to record the lullaby.”

  He fidgeted again. “I’d really like to sing with you. As a duet.” His eyes darted around the room, his cheeks turning a ruddier hue. “But I don’t sing, normally.”

  “You did back up on ‘She’s So Bad.’”

  He smiled, probably thrilled I knew that. I almost rolled my eyes. Everyone knew Jackaroo. They were the band of the year—maybe the decade.

  “Right-o. Also for ‘Between Breaths.’ But that’s because both of those were on-the-fly, last-minute additions to the set list.”

  “You’re kidding?” I gaped. I couldn’t help it. “Those—both of those—are multiplatinum recordings!”

  Jake shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Only bigger hit was ‘Hold You Close,’ which Murph insisted on singing solo. Those tunes are full of real emotion. That’s what the fans respond to.”

  “On the fly?” I gasped, unable to comprehend his words afterward. But if Jake connected with my lullaby, then he’d felt the pent-up yearning in my song for the child I’d yet to meet.

  “That may be overstating it. But point is, I’m not a singer, though I can carry a tune well enough. You are a singer. And I’d like to do an entire album for Mila. I think she’ll like this as a gift, especially after everything she’s been through in the past couple of years.”

  A sensitive, caring man. They weren’t as rare as unicorns, but as much as I’d loved Dez, I had to admit he hadn’t been the sensitive type. Unless . . . “Are you in love with her?” The question was sharp and inappropriate. Still, I wasn’t helping a man steal his brother’s pregnant lover.

  “With Mila?” His eyes widened, turning greener than gold. I braced myself for him to say something scathing then turn and walk out. I rocked back on my heels, surprised when he shook his head, chuckling. “No. She’s always been like my big sister. It’s just…Valentine’s Day is her favorite holiday, and I want her to be, you know, happy. Because Murph is, and believe me, Murphy happy is a big deal. Fair dinkum.”

  Not quite sure about all that, but he seemed genuine. “Oh. Okay.”

  Those dimples popped back out. “Odd way to ask if I’m single.”

  “I wasn’t.” My cheeks flamed. “I just didn’t want to help you romance away your brother’s fiancée.”

  “With lullabies for my brother’s bub?” He eyed me, a small smirk lingering at the corner of his mouth. “That’d be a new one.”

  “You’re laughing at me,” I huffed. His eyes crinkled at the corners. My chest burned, and I exhaled before I became too lightheaded. Dez was a handsome man, but Jake had looks and…presence. That’s what made him so good of a performer. That I-don’t-care-what-you-think vibe and sexy-as-sin smile.

  “Because you’re funny.”

  I picked up my guitar case and started toward the door, face flaming with embarrassment and inexplicable tears welling in my eyes.

  “Wait.” His voice filled with panic. “D-don’t go,” he stuttered.

  I blinked back the tears—good at it after so much practice. “I’m not sure we have anything further to discuss.”

  “The song . . . maybe an album.”

  “I don’t do vanity projects. I’m happy working with the early-childhood music program.”

  “This wouldn’t be for vanity,” he said with a gentle touch to my arm to turn me back toward him. “And I’m sure you’re quite successful with your program. I’ve heard you sing.” He smiled, those dimples flashing again, but his eyes remained uncertain.

  I must stop melting each time he smiled. Who knew I had such a soft spot for cheeks?

  “Thanks for popping in, Jake. Good luck with the project. I’ll sign for the use of ‘A Moonlit Serenade.’”

  He grabbed the guitar case’s handle, his warm hand sliding over mine. I jolted, letting go. My hand still tingled, the warmth drifting up my arm, into my chest, pooling low in my groin.

  Fantastic. The first man I’d been attracted to in years, and he had to be a celebrity. One who managed to make me feel small and insignificant.

  There was no way meeting Jake Etsam could end in anything other than embarrassment or heartache.

 

 

  Alexa Padgett, When We Fell Down

 

 

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