It’s certain.
His mouth finds mine with a quiet urgency that makes it clear he isn’t second-guessing himself anymore. His other hand comes to rest at my waist, drawing me closer, not forcefully but with unmistakable intent. I feel the steady rise and fall of his breathing, the solid reality of him, the absence of distance.
I kiss him back without hesitation.
Because there is nothing left to hesitate about.
When he pulls away, he doesn’t go far. His forehead rests briefly against mine, his hand still at my face like he isn’t ready to let go completely.
Then, slowly, he lowers it.
“Ready?” he asks.
I nod.
We step away from the door together, and as we reach the pavement, his hand finds mine. His fingers slide between mine naturally, like they’ve learned the shape of each other already.
We start walking toward the pub, our pace unhurried.
“So,” he says after a moment, glancing at me. “This gig.”
I laugh softly.
“Yes.”
“What happens?”
“I sing,” I say. “They listen. Check out how the crowd reacts to me.”
He smiles faintly.
“And you'll meet them there?”
“Yeah. They’ll already be at the pub,” I explain. “They’ve been playing together for years. I’m the unknown variable.”
He squeezes my hand slightly.
“You won’t be for much longer. The'll love you.”
I glance at him.
“I'll only need to sing a few songs tonight,” I continue.
The Devil’s Barrel comes into view ahead of us, its windows glowing amber against the dark.
He follows my gaze.
“You’ll be good,” he says.
Not encouragement.
Certainty.
I feel it settle into me as we walk the rest of the way there, his hand steady in mine, his presence unmistakable beside me.
Chapter 14
Phil