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the guitar strings, and a few creative lyric changes, Sean made the songs uniquely his own.
    The three original songs he performed this time carried the positive messages of self-acceptance and self-reliance. One song was an unapologetic celebration of life. Corey guessed that Sean had performed that song before when some people in the crowd sang along.
    As he watched Sean perform, a woman stepped up to the bar beside him. Corey marked her movements and her distance from him, but didn’t look at her. At least until she leaned down into his line of sight.
    Corey stiffened as he focused on the woman. She was looking at him in confusion, her eyes narrowed and brow furrowed. It was Aimee. He relaxed slightly as he returned her gaze.
    “Have we met?” she asked. It was obviously not a pick up line.
    “Last Tuesday,” Corey answered. “I helped Sean get you safely into your apartment.”
    Her expression cleared and her eyes filled with recognition. “Corey!”
    “You remember?” He’d thought she’d been too drunk to catch his name.
    “I vaguely remember someone else helping me up the stairs. But Sean’s mentioned you several times since then.” Aimee turned and quickly ordered a drink.
    Corey glanced at Sean and found him watching from the stage. What had Sean told her about Corey? What did it mean that he’d been a topic of conversation more than once?
    “I’m glad you came out tonight,” Aimee said. “Sean was sure he’d never see you again.”
    Christ. Resisting his growing attraction to Sean was hard enough without knowing the attraction was mutual. “I’m glad I came out. He’s really good.”
    “Yeah, he is,” Aimee said emphatically. “He graduated from USC’s drama program. Our boy’s a musical theater major.”
    Corey couldn’t mask his surprise. “No shit?”
    She shook her head. “He does it all and he does it well.”
    Corey stared at Sean, seeing him differently now. He realized Sean wasn’t playing around. This was seriously his career.
    Aimee paid for her drink and turned to leave. She paused and said, “Sorry you had to see me like that. On Tuesday.” She looked chagrined. “But thank you for helping me get home safely.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “You and Sean have fun tonight.”
    Corey stared at her back as she walked away.
    Not long after, Sean took his final break of the night. He moved through the room again, greeting those he’d missed previously. Corey slid a napkin over the top of his drink and went to the head.
    He probably should have predicted it, but Corey was still surprised when Sean came in several minutes later. Corey quickly buttoned himself up and moved to the sink.
    “I saw Aimee find you,” Sean said.
    “She didn’t know who I was at first,” Corey replied.
    “Well, she was pretty tanked that night.”
    Corey dried his hands and knew he should get the fuck out of there. He didn’t need the temptation Sean presented. His feet just wouldn’t move. “How much longer do you have to play?”
    “Half an hour.” Sean stepped to the sink. “It won’t take me long to pack up. I leave the amp here until tomorrow night.” He dried his hands and stepped in close.
    Corey could feel the heat of Sean’s body. He could see dark flecks in his hazel eyes. Sean’s skin was so smooth and brown, Corey’s hands itched to touch. He curled them into fists to stem that urge. Sean’s eyes dropped to Corey’s mouth and his expression was expectant.
    “I could use a little help loading gear into my car, if you can stay ’til the end,” Sean said, his voice low and rough.
    Corey wet his dry lips and Sean’s eyes narrowed.
    “I don’t have to work tomorrow. I can stay,” Corey replied, knowing he was playing with fire.
    “Good.” One side of Sean’s full mouth quirked upward. “I should get back.”
    Corey startled, suddenly remembering where they were and that Sean was working. He tugged the door open, feeling sluggish and clumsy. He let Sean