Holly Bennett had been working at The Velvet Room for almost three years. She wasn't there because it was her dream job—it was simply the job that paid enough to keep her apartment and stay ahead of the bills piling up on her kitchen counter.

Most nights blurred together.

Until she met Mason Walker.

Mason was twenty-six, a diesel mechanic who spent his days repairing semi-trucks. He was the kind of guy who preferred old pickup trucks, black coffee, and country music on the radio. Clubs weren't his thing.

*But when his younger brother turned twenty-one and *begged him to celebrate at The Velvet Room, Mason reluctantly agreed. * The night wasn't going great.

*His brother disappeared with friends, the music was *too loud, and Mason was already planning his escape.

*Then someone spilled a drink *onHollybackstage.Frustrated, she stormed out the side door for a breather and nearly collided with Mason, who was sitting on the curb checking messages on his phone.

"Let me guess," Holly said. "You don't want to be here either."

Mason laughed. "That obvious?"

That conversation lasted nearly an hour.

The next week, Mason came back.

Not because of the club.

Because he hoped she'd be outside again. And she was.

Soon their conversations became the best part of both their weeks.

Holly learned that Mason secretly restored old trucks with his dad.

Mason learned that Holly wanted to become a tattoo artist someday.

Neither of them expected anything serious. But life has a way of surprising people.

Especially when two people who were never supposed to meet discover they understand each other better than anyone else ever has.

Theme: Sometimes the person who changes your life is waiting in the last place you'd ever think to look.**