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She’d understand.

She’d be okay.

He’d make it up to her when he returned.

The unsettled feeling in his gut didn’t bode well. He usually listened to that warning, but this time he didn’t know if it was the job ahead or Lyric’s worrisome shadow that made him uneasy.

He worried about her, but she could take care of herself. She had her family watching out for her.

Nothing was going to happen to her. It was just his overactive imagination and protective streak making him apprehensive about leaving her.

After this job, he could focus on her. On them.

She could handle one overzealous guy.

If anything happened, her family and the bouncers at the bar would help her. She’d let him know if she needed him.

He wanted so badly to be the guy she turned to when things got bad.

Chapter Eighteen

Lyric’s phone rang the second she walked into the bar with Rick, threads of a song already coming together in her head thanks to their brainstorming session in the car.

Rick eyed her, annoyed by the interruption.

She shrugged. “Why don’t you set up on the stage? I’ll just be a minute.” She checked the caller ID and hid a smile, turning to the hallway next to the bar to turn on more lights as she answered. “Hello.”

M didn’t waste time or words. “I’m going out of town for a few days. I won’t be in touch.”

“Do I get to ask any questions?”

“I can’t answer them. I’m sorry.”

“Okay.”

Neither of them said anything for a long moment.

“That’s it?”

It seemed he was either spoiling for a fight, or more likely upset he had to go and he wanted her to be upset about it, too. She’d miss him. “I’m disappointed I won’t see you for a few days. But I hope you have a good trip. I’ll see you when you get back.”

“I hate disappointing you.” The grumbled words made her grin.

“Then, you’ll make it up to me when you get back.”

“How?” The suggestive tone in that deep voice tightened her belly.

“Sounds like you’ve got a few days to figure that out. Lucky for you, I’m easy to please. Think naked thoughts.”

“Well, now I am.” Humor erased the sour note he tried to put in his tone.

She grinned. “I mean it. I’ll miss you.”

“I missed you the second you left this morning.”

She sighed, her heart melting. “A few days seems like forever right now.”

“If I didn’t have to go...” So much regret and remorse in those few words.