Unexpected Encounter (Singleton) by Taige Crenshaw Page B

party.”
    “You’re my date so it’s a foregone conclusion you will be with me until our date is over.” Driscoll tugged her closer to him then lowered his head. “Until I say our date is done, you’re mine.”
    She had to remember how to breathe, hearing the possessiveness in his tone as well as seeing the look in his eye. Instinctively Lila knew this was yet another side of Driscoll. He put on the persona of an easy-going laughable guy as easily as he did the intense man. No matter which he was, Driscoll knew what he wanted and for now, it seemed to be her. Lila would enjoy being with him while it lasted. She already knew it would end since they lived in different worlds. She was used to normal while he lived in a world of the fantastical, like having concerts like this one or having a building that housed a basketball court and football field in his backyard. Lila stared into his eyes and wondered which layer he would show her next, and if she would ever get him figured out.
    “Also, next weekend a few of us are having a dune buggy race on Burrows Beach, which is close to where the Lockes live. There will be prizes. We’ll have a picnic and bonfire later.” Driscoll lowered his head and rubbed his nose against hers. “Do you want to come?”
    “Sure.” Lila looked forward to it. She and her friends had also been known to rent dune buggies and take them for a ride. For Driscoll and his friends, there was probably more to it than what he’d stated.
    “Good. If I recall correctly, Storm was invited already by Bella and Kennan asked Colby to come. So if you like, you can bring Aja.” Driscoll shook his head. “Don’t mention it to her, I want to ask her myself.”
    “Okay.” Lila had no idea why he wanted to do it personally but decided not to ask.
    A loud knock on the door came followed by, “Driscoll, your lazy ass better have clothing on.”
    She recognized Stuart’s voice. The door opened and he came in. He winked at Lila then strode over. He pulled her from Driscoll then kissed her on the cheek and hugged her. Surprised, Lila returned the hug.
    “Nice to see you, Lila.” Stuart handed her off to someone else.
    “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” A man who looked like a Viking grinned, holding her loosely in his arms.
    Lila blinked at one of the band’s sax players. “You too.”
    He kissed her cheek then passed her on to another person. The man who played trumpet was next, followed by the bassist. Lila was greeted with similar words from each and a kiss on the cheek. Last was the ravishing, dark-honey-skinned sax player who hugged her then winked before she let Lila go. Lila was overwhelmed being so close to some of the original surviving members of Driscoll’s band. They hadn’t officially replaced the eight deceased members of the band and instead when they had rare performances, they used specific musicians to fill in. Driscoll had explained that although he and those on stage were the faces of the group, there were so many more members beyond them. They had roadies who had also been killed as well as lighting folks. The news report at the time had shown how large the rest of their crew was. Those that hadn’t been in the vehicle had been brought into the limelight as media had swarmed asking about what they felt.
    “Why are you all here?” Driscoll’s words made her look at him, and he pulled her close, slinging an arm over her shoulder.
    “No need to be so rude.” Lila pinched him in the side.
    Driscoll rolled his eyes. “I’m rude because knowing Aida and Irene, being the meddling woman they are, they told them you were in here. Then Stuart rallied them to come check you out.”
    Lila glanced at Stuart, surprised. He smirked and inclined his head.
    “Why?”
    “Because he is an ass,” Driscoll said dryly.
    “Because Stuart wanted to show these”—Stuart said pointing to himself before gesturing to the rest of the band—“jerk-offs that I didn’t imagine you. Driscoll