Free Kiss Me Goodnight by Michele Zurlo

until the soap dispensers ran dry.
    I didn’t know if Dylan would try to find me, but I wanted him to know I’d been here and I enjoyed the show. They didn’t have roadies, so the band members were disassembling their own equipment. I approached the stage, but half the single women in the place had the same idea, so I stood off to the side.
    Dylan worked steadily. Every time he or another band member came near the front of the stage, some groupie—I couldn’t believe they already had groupies—said something to snag his attention.
    When the girl next to me yelled a suggestive compliment at Dylan, he had the grace to blush as he looked over. But when he did, he spotted me and seemed to forget the woman who’d spoken. The shy smile on his face grew larger and warmer. “Lacey. Daisy told me you were here. I was hoping you’d stick around.”
    The girl gave me a dirty look, which I ignored. Jane and Luma had my back, and they’re experts. They have older sisters. As an only child and someone who spent my childhood focused on my OCD, I was out of my depth when it came to petty dealings with women.
    “Do you need help?” I asked Dylan.
    He quirked a brow. “Sure. How are you at holding open doors?”
    “I have a degree in that shoved in a drawer somewhere.”
    Jane pinched me, a warning. My statement was a joke, but I have a history of taking things to extremes.
    I didn’t react to the zap of pain, but I did sweep my hand up and point over my shoulder. “These are my friends, Jane and Luma. They’re also great with doors.”
    Dylan helped us all onto the stage, which isn’t as easy as it looks. But he’s strong, and we all made it up there without losing our dignity.
    The band worked quickly and efficiently to load the equipment into their van, which was parked in a short alley behind the bar. Dylan introduced us to the keyboardist, Levi, and the bassist, Gavin. This time they shook my hand instead of glaring.
    Gavin even apologized. “Sorry if we came off as overly hostile earlier.”
    “That’s all right. I know I overstepped my bounds. It won’t happen again.”
    “You meant well. And you were right.” He grinned, his brown eyes lit with warmth.
    One thing I’ll say about the band: they’re hot. Every single one of them is physically attractive—tall, built, and handsome. Daisy is shorter than the guys, but still tall for a woman. And she’s pretty. They looked and sounded great.
    I introduced Jane and Luma to Dylan’s band. Thank goodness neither of them looked at the men like they were a buffet. I liked Dylan, and now that I knew he was single, I was actually experiencing hope.
    Gavin looked at Dylan and clapped Levi on the back. “We should clear out.”
    “No, you shouldn’t.” Heads swung and everybody looked at me. It was a little disorienting. I won’t be going on a stage anytime soon. I swallowed. “I mean, this was your first performance. There have to be a hundred women and more than a few men hanging out in there who enjoyed your show and wouldn’t mind meeting you. Mingling will help build your fan base.”
    I needed to shut up before somebody asked me if I was a publicist. Knowing me, I would probably answer in the affirmative. I have a major in finance with a minor in business administration. Nothing there speaks to this situation.
    “Sorry. Just throwing out ideas.”
    Jane and Luma chuckled nervously. Jane moved closer, probably ready to drag me away if I kept going.
    Levi nodded thoughtfully. “Good ideas, though. They make sense. Ladies and gentlemen, we’re heading back inside.”
    Daisy linked her arms through Jane’s and Luma’s, and the three of them went first. Levi and Gavin followed.
    Dylan held the door for me, which led to a hallway behind the stage. He grabbed my hand, holding me back when I would have followed everyone else through the door into the main room.
    I cocked my head and gazed up at him.
    “You liked the show?”
    “Very much. I’d even see it