1

LUCIA

“Cheers!” I heard myself yell along with a few other people which I shared a table with. The clicking of our glasses echoed around the hall as I downed my drink in one gulp.

It was my second drink tonight, and I knew it was definitely not going to be the last.

Today was a day of celebration. It was Bethany’s wedding, my best friend in the entire world, and I was her maid of honour.

I had lived in Austria for about a couple of years, and even though returning to New York was a difficult decision to make, it was one that I had to go through with.

I had to be here for my ride or die, of course, but there were still other pressing matters.

“Oh, there you are!” I heard Bethany exclaim, instantly snapping me out of my reverie, and my face broke into a small grin. One that was reserved for her and only her.

She had changed from her wedding dress, and now, she wore a beautiful blush pink, strapless dress which complimented her fair skin tone perfectly.

She was such a beautiful bride, and everyone in the hall could see that.

“Well, well. If ain’t the superstar of the night.” I said with a small smile, sipping on my drink. My third glass, I would assume.

I did not like a lot of things, but weddings? Now that was my thing.

There was something so pure and exciting about weddings that just made me feel so positive and elated, and those were not emotions I usually felt often.

My best friend was now married, and I was determined to enjoy the party to the fullest.

“Looks like you’re having fun.” Bethany said with a small smile on her face, taking her seat next to me, her gorgeous blonde hair glittering beneath the lights.

“So are you.” I replied, my heart clenching in my chest at how beautiful she looked. We grew up together, and we had gone through a lot staying by each other’s side, and finally, she was having her happy ending.

I was beyond elated. I was the happiest person in the world, and I was also beginning to feel tipsy as my vision started to blur slightly. Was that going to stop me from drinking? Not a freaking chance.

“Of course, I’m having fun. It’s my wedding, after all.” She answered, proceeding to pour herself a drink.

I chuckled, raising my glass to my lips when I suddenly heard the most beautiful voice I had ever heard in my entire life.

The voice was husky, alluring, and filled with so much emotion that it did nothing but send chills down my spine. I felt all the hairs on my body stand, and my eyes instantly darted toward the direction of the voice.

I blinked twice, trying to get a clear view of the man up on the stage, but because of the drinks I had, my vision was blurry, and it was difficult to see him clearly.

“Who the hell is that?” I gasped in awe as my heart began thumping loudly in my chest. This was honestly so strange.

I had no idea who the singer was or what he even looked like, and I was reacting so deeply to him. What the hell was wrong with me?

“Honestly, I have no clue. Micheal should know, though.” Beth answered.

Micheal was Beth’s husband, and I definitely wasn’t going up to him to ask who the singer was. I didn’t know if it was the alcohol in my system that made me so bold, but I was determined to speak with that singer.

I tried to get a look at the singer one more time, but I could only make out his dark hair and not his face.

I let out a loud sigh, left with no choice but to give up and to just listen instead.

His beautiful voice travelled through my entire body, touching my soul, and the gentle strumming of his guitar nearly brought tears to my eyes.

Once he was done singing, the entire hall erupted in an applause, instantly giving him a standing ovation, and I was no different as I sniffed, holding back my tears.

I had never been so touched by someone’s music before, and I couldn’t help it when my insides grew warm and fuzzy.

After bowing and giving the crowd an encore, I managed to see the man turn around and make his way out of the stage.

I still couldn’t see his face, but I was still determined to speak to him, and even though I tried to fight the feeling, my curiosity ended up winning.

“I’ll be right back.” I whispered to Beth, and without giving her a chance to object, I shot up from my seat, but unfortunately, I immediately regretted the sudden action.

My insides churned as my vision swam, and it was difficult to hold steady in my ridiculously high heels. I managed to weave my way through the crowd, bumping into more people than I thought I would.

“Sorry.” I slurred, bumping into more people till I finally made it out backstage. I tripped on my feet so many times, but I didn’t fall on my face. Yet. That was probably a win.

I began breathing heavily, slowly growing red in the face and beads of sweat trickling down my forehead as my eyes darted around the hallway.

A couple of people rushed past me, and this was where my problems began. I had no idea where the singer went, and even if I did, I couldn’t tell what he looked like.

I squinted, trying to get a look at the people rushing past me, but it was futile. I couldn’t locate him. I knew for sure that he had dark hair, but a lot of people here had dark hair, too.

I couldn’t help the disappointed feeling, which travelled through my entire body as I let out a loud sigh, shaking my head.

What the hell was I even doing right now? This was so unlike me? I was not one to chase strangers like a crazy person.

Feeling extremely disappointed in myself, I shook my head once again, attempting to turn around when I suddenly ran into what felt like a brick wall.

As a result of my heels and the alcohol in my system, I stumbled on my feet, and at that moment, I was so sure that I would finally end up face first on the ground.

To my surprise, it never happened as a pair of muscled arms shot out and grabbed me by the waist, holding me steady.

A small gasp escaped my lips as jolts of electricity shot through my entire body the moment those hands touched me.

It turned out that I did not run into a brick wall after all, but rather a tall man.

I blinked, straining my neck to look up at him, and when I was finally able to get a glimpse of his face, I felt all the air leave my lungs as my jaw went slack.

In front of me had to be the most gorgeous man I had ever seen. I could instantly tell that he was a bit younger than me, but he was stunning.

My alcohol-addled brain struggled to comprehend his beauty, and for a moment, I simply shut down and stared at him, unable to blink, speak, or think.

The stranger’s bright cerulean blue eyes, which were currently locked on mine, were filled with slight surprise and a hint of curiosity, and I was momentarily enchanted and unable to look away.

His black hair fell over his forehead, and those beautiful orbs still managed to shine through.

I could not take my eyes off that jaw-line, which was so sharp that I was sure it could cut glass. His high cheekbones were so prominent that I knew he could pass off as a model if he wasn’t even already one.

My eyes slowly darted to his full and pink lips, and I swallowed, feeling instantly hot all over as my eyes lingered, my heart pounding loudly against my chest.

When I finally realized what I was doing, a small gasp escaped my lips as I tried to wiggle away from his arms, my cheeks flushing bright red with extreme embarrassment.

“I–I’m so sorry.” I stammered, still feeling the effects of the alcohol in my system.

“Are you okay?” The stranger’s husky voice echoed in my ears, and I instantly froze where I stood, my heart momentarily stopping.

I recognized that voice. Could it be? My heart beat restarted, and this time, it raced twice as fast in my chest.

“A–are you the singer? Did you sing on the stage minutes ago?” I asked even more embarrassed that I was unable to keep the desperation out of my voice.

The stranger’s face slowly broke into a smile that nearly sent me six feet under, exposing his pearly white teeth.

“Yes, I am.” He replied.

My mouth hung open as I blinked in disbelief, staring at the man in front of me in complete awe.

Not only did he have an angelic voice that blew me away, but he also had a face that would bring any woman to her knees.

How could one have it all? Both talent and good looks. How could he be so perfect?

“I’ve never heard a voice like yours. It’s so incredible.” I blurted out, my cheeks tingling red. It looked like the alcohol in my system was making me say everything that came to my head out loud.

The stranger stared at me for a second before his face slowly broke into a wide smile, exposing his pearly white teeth. That beautiful smile might just be the death of me, I swear.

“Thank you,” He answered, his deep and husky voice sending shivers down my spine. “I’ve been complimented about my singing multiple times, but for some reason, yours matters the most.”

My cheeks flamed red as my heart pounded loudly against my chest.

“I’m Lucia.” I said awkwardly, extending my hand towards him for a handshake as I had no idea what else to do.

The beautiful stranger looked from my face to my outstretched hand and back to my face before slowly taking my smaller hand in his.

His hand was large and warm against mine, and his touch on my bare skin sent shivers up my spine. I tried not to shiver visibly, but it was almost impossible.

“I’m Jeremy. Jeremy Hale.” He answered.

“Jeremy Hale.” I whispered. Why in the world did that name sound so familiar?