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Blinkingthe tears away,Iclear my throat and take a step back.Ihold out my hand. “Sparesome change for the coinless?”

Amusementbrightens his features as he reaches into his pocket and hands over a few quarters. “Don’tspend it all in one place.”

“Oh,Iwill,”Ireply over my shoulder.

Afterfinding the song on the jukebox, my breath catches whenIturn to saunter my way back.Zakwatches me with a spark in his eye thatIthought he lost and a smirk that’s the happiestI’veseen him in a while.Iwrap my arms around him, unwilling to let go.

“You’redoin’ that thing again.”

“What?”

“Lookin’ at me with that dumb look on your face.”

“Youknow you missed it.”

Myfingers curl in his hair at the base of his neck asIpeer up at him.Hishands rest on my hips as we sway, and a smolder roars in his eyes at the familiar words floating through the atmosphere in a deep, dark voice.

“Youlooked like you wanted to be anywhere else when we played this at the festival,” he comments.

“Ihad to play our breakup song by your side in front of thousands.”AndIhad to keep my cool when you were trying to fly across the stage to eat me.

“Babe, haven’t you listened?”Zak’shands rest on either side of my neck. “‘Ican’t get you out of my head tillIcan call you mine once again.’It’snot our breakup song.You’remy light in the middle of the darkness, no matter what’s happened—this is our second chance song.”

Renewedtears gush from my eyes. “Ilove you so much.”

Smoothingaway the waterworks on my cheeks, he replies, “Ilove you more.”Heplants a tender, tearful kiss on my mouth.Helicks his lips and says, “Don’tcry anymore, babe.We’realive and together.”

Thatdoesn’t help—Ibear-hug him, trying not to sob too much into his shoulder.Heembraces me, hand rubbing up and down my back as we sway to the music.

Mychest constricts, wringing the anxiety from the throbbing muscle within.

Icame so close to losing him for good.

“Hey, hey,” he coos, making me look at him with gentle hands. “Nocrying on date night.”Hisexpression turns thoughtful and he smirks. “Notunless it’s the fun kind.”

Ilightly slap his arm, giggling and sniffling. “Babe!”

Hedraws me closer and buries his face into the crook of my neck.

Everypart of me stiffens, jolting at the proximity of his teeth to my neck.

But, then, he kisses me there.Asoft, tender press of his lips to my flesh—no teeth or fangs sinking into me.Nogrowling or snarling as he rips me apart.

JustasIbegin melting into him, fingers tickle my sides and make me drop to my knees laughing.

Zakcatches me beforeIbang up my knees, chuckling asItry to contain the screech clawing out of my throat.

“Stopit!”Icommand in aGremlin-like voice, losing the fight.

Cackling, he situates me upright with an extra-bright beam. “YouknowIlove it when you laugh.”

Catchingmy breath,Iblurt out breathlessly, “Iforgot how much fun you are.”

Heslaps a hand over his heart in shock. “Ma’am,Iam hurt and offended.”

Iflash him a grin.Hekisses my forehead.

Beforehe pulls away,Icapture his mouth with mine.Hecups my cheek, caressing my face to his, and kisses me back, hard.Thescent ofCrownandCokefills my nostrils and makes my mouth water for a taste.