Author's Note: I'm still waiting for a name to give Mr. Groff's character. Until one is given he's just going to be him. I want a name, ugh.
Disclaimer: See first chapter.
She didn't know when it happened exactly. She had no clue just when she caught herself falling for him. All she knew was that it had happened. When she blushed or smiled it wasn't her acting. It was real. It was as real as it could be. Sure, maybe this had started as an investigation but it had evolved far beyond that now. She'd love to return to the previous state if she could. But she couldn't.
So yeah she was trembling as she made her way on stage. It was the first time something like that ever happened. Especially not at some karaoke bar. She wasn't even sure why she was here. But of course that was a lie. She was told to be here because he would be here. So she had agreed and now here she was. Her shaky hands gripped the microphone and her eyes shut just briefly. She was trying to tune everything out so she could perform. When her eyes opened she knew it had worked.
The music chimed in then. It was some popular song she recognized but if someone asked her later she wouldn't be able to give the name. Her lips moved on their own and her voice filled the room. She wasn't stupid. She knew how vain she could be when her voice was involved. So she knew the vain sort of tone her thoughts took on when she realized all eyes were on her. Even his were.
When she finished his eyes were still on her. But he was smiling. He was smiling just for her as he clapped. She took notice that the girl he was with had considerably paled. And somehow that made her smile grow. So she exited the stage confident. She practically reeked of it. Confidence. It felt good, she decided. She kept that in mind as she walked right past his table, loving the way his body turned to watch her leave.
So she didn't know when she fell for him. But it was then she decided she would be in control of how hard and fast she fell.