Page 11

I'd never been to a meet and greet.

Honestly, they were expensive, and though I loved music, my family and I were not what anyone would consider rich. And I was never passionate enough about an artist to pay the VIP price tag. They always looked like fun though.

For other people.

I should've known it wouldn't be for me.

A winding line of what looked like about 50 HERS fans stood between me and the band . The majority of the m were girls and women, ranging in age from high school to college to adults . Hayden, Santino, Elliot, Ryker, and Felix were seated at a long table near the back of the room. Sitting in a row like that, smiling, talking, and taking pictures with the fans, they were almost too much to handle . The gorgeousness was at an all-time high, and every person in the room was starstruck.

Still, I only had eyes for one guy.

The problem was getting to him.

London walked away a few minutes ago to use the restroom. If she were here, I was sure she'd just stroll to the front. No rush, fuss or hesitation. She'd done it today when I mentioned wanting to get shirts for my parents at a kiosk. It was crowded, but London easily weaved her way to the front , spoke to the seller, and a few minutes later, she and I walked away with matching "I Heart Chi" tees . Yes, there was also a teacup on the shirt. Did I really think my dad would like it?

Undecided.

But I knew Mom would love hers, and Dad would wear his to make her and me happy.

Just picturing them in their shirts made my heart feel full.

Plus, I'd gotten Dad a Chicago Fire FC hat—one of his favorite soccer teams—which I knew would surprise and delight him. I hoped so anyway.

Back to London.

The person, not the city.

I took a deep breath and tried to channel her as I walked past the line of concertgoers, heading toward the HERS table.

"Hey, there's a line," someone said.

My shoulders tensed, but I walked a little faster.

"So, you're just going to pretend not to hear me and cut ? Even though we've been waiting all this time? Nice. "

My cheeks were flaming as I whispered, "Sorry."

The grumblings got louder as I reached the table. The security officer there did not step aside . I didn't recognize him, so he must've worked with the venue . The guys were too busy to notice. But Mercury took one look at me, noting my hunched posture, wide eyes, and less-than-posh clothes with a glance. She sighed then handed me a lanyard with All Access Pass written on it.

"Thanks," I said quietly.

"Welcome," she said, eyeing my outfit again. " Why didn't you stop by wardrobe first?"

A blink. "Was I supposed to?"

"If you were wearing what I picked out for you for tonight, they'd all know you're with the band."

I looked past her at the guys then shook my head. "Not sure anything would do that. They're too pretty."

Mercury snapped her fingers in front of my face, and my eyes whipped back to her. She was shaking her finger and head in tandem. "Now, now, none of that. I'll have you looking like rock royalty when you hit the stage. Don't worry."

"Okay, thanks again."

"Hmmm ," she said then shooed me away. "G o. He's been waiting for you."

"He who?" I asked.

Mercury arched a brow, and instead of answering, she said, "Come see me later . I'll get you out of those rags before the show."

I nodded—my jeans, t-shirt, and cardigan were all fairly new, but I didn't think pointing that out would make a difference—stepped behind the table and made my way, head down, over to Felix, keeping my eyes fixed on him. When I finally made it to his side, I breathed a sigh of relief. Felix looked up, mouth open like he was going to say something, but then he frowned.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing," I said.

"Don't lie. You're all red."

"I'm fine."

"Here, sit down."

Before I could protest, he stood and nudged me into his now-vacant chair. Kneeling, his hand caressed my cheek, his fingertips lifting my chin until I had no choice but to meet his gaze.

"I'm fine," I repeated.

"Princess" was all he said.

But it was enough. My lungs felt like they fully expanded for the first time in forever, the endless walk past that line a distant memory, and I almost smiled.

"How do you do that?" I asked.

"Do what?"

"Make me feel better with nothing but your voice."

Felix blinked, then a small smile tilted his lips.

"It's a gift," he said.

Shaking my head at his arrogance, I was starting to relax—until the girl in front of us cleared her throat.

"Uh, excuse me," she said from the other side of the table, "but I was here first."

"Oh, sorry," I said, looking to Felix. But he was frowning at the girl. " She's right. I can wait until you're done."

"I'm done," he said.

"But you didn't even sign my poster," she protested.

"Sorry, my wrist hurts."

"But—"

The girl started to argue again before her friend placed a hand on her arm.

"Bella, don't you know who she is?" her friend said.

"No. Should I?"

"Yeah, that's his girlfriend."

Bella's eyes widened. "Oh!"

"Aurora's on tour with the band too." The friend walked forward and gave me a nod. "Violin, right?"

I nodded, shocked that this girl knew my name and instrument. "Yeah."

"I play violin too."

"Cool," I said. "What's your name?"

"Viola."

I smiled a real smile. "That's my cousin's name. She plays cello though."

"Oh cool," she said then blushed. "Do you think I could get your autograph?"

"Me?"

"And maybe a small message?" She nodded then passed me her book and pen. I guessed it was her autograph book because there were other signatures here too. But she wanted mine? It blew my mind. I took the pen, scrawled my name in cursive, and wrote a quick note.

She picked it up and smiled. "Thanks!"

"You're welcome," I said.

"I can sign it too if you want," Felix said smoothly.

Viola did a double-take then shoved the pen at him, saying, "Yeah, I mean , yes please, I'd love that! Thanks, Felix!"

"No problem."

He shot Bella a cool glance.

"Still got your poster?"

"Yeah," she mumbled, "but if your wrist hurts, I understand."

Felix pulled her poster closer and quickly signed it.

"Th-thank you!"

The two rushed off with their heads close together. It was clear they were fangirling over the interaction. I was too.

"That’s the first time anyone's ever asked for my autograph," I said with a smile.

"Oh yeah?" Felix said.

"I'm famous."

"You're hilarious."

"Maybe even more famous than you," I replied.

Felix laughed quietly, and as the next fan stepped up, I left the chair, so he could retake his seat. Despite what I'd said, I knew all these people weren't here to see me. Meeting a fellow violinist, one who recognized me and shared a name with one of my favorite people in the world, and asked for my autograph? That was a memory I'd keep with me always.

Speaking of…

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked Felix, speaking quietly but loud enough for him to hear.

"Tell you what?" he asked while greeting fans and signing their merch.

"You know what. I caught the end of the podcast."

Felix didn't look at me.

"Were you ever going to say anything?" I tried again.

"Nope," he said.

"Why not?"

" I was waiting for you to remember on your own. At first, I thought you were joking when you said you didn't recognize me. Then I thought , after we spent some time together, you'd know. But t hat didn't happen."

Felix shrugged.

"Figured that night meant more to me than it did to you."

I shook my head and lowered my voice. "It meant a lot to me too, Felix."

"You forgot," he said.

"No, I didn't."

He scoffed, but as he glanced my way, I held his gaze.

"I tried my best to forget you, but I couldn't . When I finally told my cousins about the stranger I met on the beach, how I couldn't stop dreaming about him even if I didn't know what he looked like, they thought I was crazy."

Felix's throat worked on a swallow. "You don't have to say that just because you think it's what I want to hear."

"I'm not."

"Promise?"

"I promise," I said softly.

"So," he said, crossing his arms, "you dreamed of me?"

"Only every night for weeks."

"Good."

"Why good?"

"Because I dreamed of you too."

We stared at each other until the next person stopped in front of his space . Felix looked away reluctantly, but I was grateful for the reprieve. His piercing gaze was way too easy to get lost in.

Noticing London standing alone at the other end of the table, she waved, and I was about to go to her.

But then I stopped, turned around, and walked back to Felix who was currently finishing up taking a selfie with a brunette who gazed at him adoringly. Seeing me, her smile actually widened.

"Can I get a picture with both of you?" she asked. "My friends and I love Ferora."

"Sure," I said. "But first, I need to do something."

Felix gave me a questioning look. "What's up?"

Instead of using words, I decided to act. Before doubt could set in, I leaned up and pressed a soft, lingering kiss against his cheek. The skin there was rough against my lips with his five o'clock shadow. For some reason, the feel of it sent a shiver down my spine . But not as much as the way his eyes followed me as I leaned back.

"Thank you," I said, "for helping me that night."

"The night my dog blinded you by kicking sand in your face?" His voice was rich with something , but it wasn't just amusement.

"I thought Onyx was Ryker's dog."

"She's our family dog, but everyone knows Onyx loves me best."

Farther down the table, Ryker let out a loud, low scoff at that, but Felix didn't take his eyes off mine. Reaching down, he took my hand and lifted it to his mouth, laying the gentlest kiss against my knuckles.

"You're welcome, princess," he said.

The sound of a camera going off reached my ears. I thought the fan might've taken the picture, but she was standing there frozen, staring at the two of us. Looking past her, I noticed Izzy standing nearby in a long dark coat, baseball cap, and sunglasses.

Felix came closer and said quietly, "Izzy said she wanted a few more candid shots of us."

"Oh," I said.

"She wants to, and I quote, 'sell the fake relationship.' As if we weren't doing that already without even trying."

His lips tipped up, and I gave a small, forced smile back.

That must've been why he kissed me—well, my hand.

It was completely innocent and totally romantic. And I was trying not to show how disappointed , how absolutely gutted I was that it hadn't been real.

Come on, Aurora. It only lasted a few heartbeats.

But I could've sworn I felt the kiss all over.

It was fake.

Doesn't change how it felt.

"Hey," Felix said, trying to get my attention. "Where'd you go?"

"Nowhere," I said then nodded to Izzy. "Does she think the trench coat makes her blend in?"

"I'll ask her later."

Looking over to the girl who was still staring at us, slack-jawed, I flushed. " Sorry about that," I said.

She waved that off with a grin. "No problem at all. Take your time. Your romance is literally giving me life right now."

"Okay. We should take that picture," I said to Felix, "so we're not holding up the line."

And so I wouldn't end up staring at him like a starstruck teenager.

"Sounds good, princess," he said.

The nickname made my heart flutter, and I realized I'd been worried about the wrong thing. Starstruck, I was not and never had been. By anyone.

But lovestruck?

That might be a different story.

Oh no, no, no.

This couldn't be happening . I wouldn't let it.

After we took a few pics with the Ferora fan, I walked away and didn't stop until I reached London's side. She'd been covertly staring at Ryker while trying to look like she wasn't. Shifting her gaze to me, her brow furrowed.

"You look like you're going to be sick," she said.

"Thanks," I said back.

"Did something happen? I was only gone a few minutes."

I shook my head.

No, nothing happened.

But that nothing rocked the earth under my feet.

"Is there a reason you're trying to burn a hole through that girl talking to Ryker?" I said in an effort to distract myself.

"Who her?" London sniffed then crossed her arms. "She called me a 'bitch' under her breath when I bypassed the line. Can you believe that?"

I could.

"Did you say anything back?" I asked.

"No, I'm too mature for that," she said then grinned. "I just flipped her off."

My laugh came out stilted. Unfortunately, London noticed.

"Seriously, what happened?" she repeated.

But I just shook my head, not knowing how to answer.

I kissed Felix.

He kissed my hand.

I felt it in my heart—and maybe deeper than that.

The possibility was almost too horrible to consider.

There was no way I'd be crazy enough to fall for my fake boyfriend.

Right?