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“Where are we?” I ask, looking around the vacant bar as we walk inside.

It’s dark, dingy, and quite small; the absolute definition of a dive bar. In fact, I’d say the entire place is about the same square footage as my condo, maybe even a tad bit smaller.

There’s a bar on the left right inside the door with maybe twenty stools lined in front of it. A small stage runs along part of the back wall and a handful of bar tables sit front and center. That’s it.

“This is the first place I ever played at in Nashville,” Hudson tells me, pulling me toward the bar.

“Well look at what the cat drug in,” an older man working behind the bar says when he catches sight of Hudson. “Hudson Demasi.” He reaches his hand across the bar. “Or should I call you Hudson James now?”

“Good to see you, Hal.” Hudson chuckles, reaching out to shake the man’s hand. “This is Lennon.” He gestures to me.

“Nice to meet you, Lennon. Love the name.”

“I take it you’re a Beatles fan?”

“Through and through.” He gives me a toothy grin before turning his attention back to Hudson. “What brings you in today? I gotta say, I never thought I’d see you back here again.” He picks up a dish towel and starts drying glasses.

“Thought I’d bring Lennon in and let her see where it all began.” Hudson looks down at me. “Hal was the only one willing to take a chance on a nobody from Texas.”

“You mean I was the first one to see how incredibly talented you are.” He waves a finger at Hudson, turning his gaze to me. “I went from ten customers a night to a line out the door. Two nights a week I had the most popular bar on the strip.”

“I’m not surprised.” I smile.

“What do you say, Hal. Think I could strum one out for old time’s sake?” Hudson gestures to the stage.

“Be my guest.” Hal nods, turning his attention back to his dishes.

“Come here.” Hudson snags my hand and pulls me through the small establishment, leading me to a bar table sitting feet from the stage.

Helping me onto a stool, he instructs me to stay put, kisses the tip of my nose, and quickly hops on stage, grabbing one of the guitars from the corner.

Sliding a stool to the center, Hudson takes a seat and fiddles with the guitar for a moment, making sure it’s in tune.

“What are you doing up there, handsome?”

“Playing you the first song I ever played on this stage.”

“I’m swooning over here.” I fan myself with my hand, melting a little under the brilliance of the smile he throws my way.

Without another word, his fingers begin to move over the guitar strings effortlessly, his eyes locking on mine as he begins to sing – his incredible voice causing instant prickles to pepper my skin.

It isn’t until he gets to the chorus that I recognize the song about falling in love in the back of a cop car. I don’t even remember who sings it, only that Starr used it as her ringtone for what felt like forever a few years back.

Watching Hudson do his thing is unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed. Even though it’s not the first time I’ve seen him sing, the affect listening to him has over me never lessens.

He meets my eyes several times throughout the song, a smile always present on his handsome face as he does what he loves to do. And in some weird way it makes me feel better about his upcoming tour.

Of course I’m going to miss the hell out of him, but knowing he’s going to be on stage, living his dream, letting other people witness his god given talent, is enough to calm some of the fears that were so prominent just moments ago.

By the time he finishes the song I’m all smiles, unable to hide how happy this man makes me.

After returning the guitar to the corner of the stage, he jumps down and moments later I’m in his arms.

“I’ll never get over how incredible you are.” My hands cup his face, eyes locked on his.

“And I’ll never get over how beautiful you are.” He leans forward and brushes his lips over mine in a way that instantly makes my knees go weak.

“Thank you for bringing me here,” I whisper against his mouth.

“I wanted to share a piece of my past with you. I want to share everything with you.”

“I want that to.”

“What do you say we get out of here and I can show you what else I want to share with you?” He pulls back, a wicked grin on his face.

“I say lead the way, Mr. Demasi.” I laugh when he spins, throws Hal a wave, and leads out us out of the bar.