chapter thirteen

29 March

Susie dried the last dish, placed it in the cabinet, reclaimed her iced tea, and wandered into the living room. The soap opera Kate turned on caught her attention briefly as she pulled her legs in front of her on the couch. Very briefly. She couldn’t sit and watch this. Unwrapping herself again, she set the glass on the side table and went to retrieve her dust rag. Even listening to the cliché romance was hard enough to bear while she carefully picked up each figurine, wiped it, and returned it to the shelf.

“Aren’t you going with the guys?”

She didn’t look at her roommate. “No.”

“Why not?”

“Roy’s going to be there.”

“That’s surprising.”

“He has someone coming to listen.” Susie moved to the shelf in the opposite corner. She could feel Kate’s stare but ignored it. The best she could do tonight was to ignore her friend when possible and make herself talk when she had to. She was missing their show and it grated on her. Even if she could force herself to go and sit alone, she couldn’t leave Kate tonight in her state of mind. A heavy breath forced her fingers to stop working. Dusting … when she could be watching her band. It wasn’t right. She should be there for them.

“I’ll go with you if you wanna go.”

Susie turned. Her roommate looked serious. “I thought you didn’t want to see Mike.”

“I’ll get a virgin daiquiri so he won’t ask why I’m not drinking. I figure I owe you that much.”

She accepted. Even if Kate didn’t really want to go to the show, it would be better for her than sitting home watching soaps or dramas. With three channels, there had to be something better. She wasn’t sure though, since she rarely turned it on herself.



Wading through the sea of moving bodies and fog of stale nicotine, Susie found a small uninhabited table across the room from the manager, but within sight of the man beside him. The sound echoing from the walls and low ceiling fulfilled her sense of belonging. They were her band. She belonged wherever they were. Their music invaded her soul, her being. Looking toward the stage, she found Evan, waiting for his detection. He grinned as she caught his eye. She didn’t have to wait to find Duncan’s; he was staring at her, even after she had pulled her eyes away to claim a chair. She felt him.

Kate ordered two virgin daiquiris and purposely avoided Mike’s gaze. Susie again ignored it, focusing instead on the stranger at the band’s table. She couldn’t see the expression on his face well enough with the bodies interrupting her view and the darkness of the space between them. The club’s colored spotlights danced around him but didn’t hit close enough.

“Think he’s really anyone?”

“What?” She strained to hear her friend over the loud voices nearby.

“The guy you’re trying to stare at. Is he someone big or just another buddy getting a free show?”

Susie shrugged. “Roy said he was some kind of producer, but who knows? It’s not like we haven’t heard that before.”

“So what are you going to do if they do ever make it big time?” Kate leered at a guy walking by their table. Much too old for her.

What would she do? Good question. When Susie had first started helping Raucous with their efforts to get attention from the right people, she’d still been expecting to be more than Evan’s friend. As his girlfriend, or … more … there would be no reason she couldn’t go with him if they started touring, or if they decided to move to a better location. Of course, she could still move with them, but as just a friend, there would be no reason for her to tag along. And now with Kate … maybe she wasn’t … but if she was, Susie had promised to help. She couldn’t just take off and travel around the country and leave her friend alone with a baby she didn’t want.

“Would you like to dance?” The strange voice startled her, and she raised her eyes to a tall, thin man with dark, shaggy hair and long sideburns waiting for her response.

“Thank you, but I don’t think so.” He was about to object. “I don’t want to leave my friend alone.”

“Maybe later, then.” The man grinned and walked away.

Kate nudged an elbow into her arm. “Why’d you turn him down? He’s kinda cute.”

“I just came to hear the guys.”

“And you can’t hear them while you’re dancing?”

Not bothering to answer, Susie looked up to the stage, focusing on their new guitarist. She studied his face and hair, picturing her fingers against them, and his strong arms and hands, which were so gentle when they touched her. His technique was immaculate; sharp, exact, but graceful. His every movement was graceful, more so than she had ever seen in a man. His eyes … met hers. She looked away.



He looked at her again when he left the stage after their first set. This time it was Evan who interrupted, stepping up beside him, blocking her view. They went to their table, where she should have been. Maybe Roy’s visitor would leave after talking to them. If so, Roy would soon follow. But, if he was anyone, it would be a better sign if he stayed longer.

She watched Stu, Mike, and Doug flop onto chairs after shaking hands with whomever he was. The lights had brightened upon the end of their set; a DJ took over entertainment. The man seemed friendly enough, nodding at whatever Evan said to him. He didn’t seem to mind Evan walking away from the group, heading in her direction. Duncan watched him leave for just a moment, then claimed a chair next to Stu. He never just flopped as the others; even off-stage, he was always precise, without being stiff.

Evan pulled the chair beside her closer than it had been. Sitting, his arm nearly brushed hers, his warmth penetrating her skin. He leaned in, his lips close enough that she could feel his breath against her ear. “I thought you weren’t going to be here.”

The people floating around them kept her thoughts distracted. She couldn’t let him get to her here, in public. “I twisted Kate’s arm until she agreed to come with me.” Where had Kate gone? Turning her head, she found her – talking with some guy. Susie turned back. “So what’d he say?”

Evan shifted, adding more distance. “Not much, but I guess he’s going to stay for another set.”

“That sounds good.”

He shrugged and set a hand on the back of her chair, still not quite touching her. “I need to get back over there. You are staying?”



The warmth of his body surrounded her, even with too much distance. She hoped she was. “As long as Kate wants to.”

“Well, try to talk her into it so we can go home together.”

Susie touched his eyes. Go home together. He couldn’t possibly realize how that sounded to her. She considered turning it into a joke, but decided against it, reaching for her drink instead, part of her wishing it wasn’t virgin.

He rose, his fingers lightly brushing her shoulder, and the surrounding cooler air hitting the warmth they left caused a chill. He didn’t notice. He had never noticed. She sipped her daiquiri again.

Kate returned with the guy distracting her from Mike. They sat close. Susie forced a greeting then set her attention on studying the band’s audience. And the band. The place was swelling more as time passed. Good thing she and Kate hadn’t arrived any later. She didn’t see any empty tables by now and she was very uncomfortable on a bar stool. It made her look too available … or too … open for conversation. Or too much like she belonged in a bar. She didn’t. Luckily, the employees here all knew her since it was one of her band’s regular gigs, which was how she got away with not getting ID’d. Most of them just assumed she was legal drinking age because she was constantly with Evan, so they didn’t bother to ask. Although, she didn’t think they generally bothered to ask anyone.

“May I?”

The tall guy again. She had forgotten about him.

“Of course! Balance us out.”

Susie threw Kate a glare. It didn’t help. He sat down anyway.

“I’m Mitch. And you are?”

She swallowed more of the strawberry-flavored sugar water. With the mix settling to the bottom of the glass, and without the rum to lighten the effect, it was too sweet, even for her.

“She’s unsocial. That’s why I’m here.” Kate threw him a wink, then their first names, paying no attention to the nonverbal cues Susie was giving her to shut up.

“Unsociable? At a bar?”

Susie gave up on the glass as a distraction. “It’s a club, and I come to hear the band.”

“Really? Just this band or any band?”

Why did he care? “This one; Raucous. Though some of the others are okay, but no one else gets the same crowds.”

The man grinned from one side of his face. “So you’re a groupie?”

Groupie? “Not exactly.” She threw another glance at Kate to keep her quiet, then noticed the guys heading back to the stage. Short break. Roy must have pushed them up for the sake of the producer.

She caught Evan watching the guy at her table while he tuned to start the next set. Unless they changed the list, it should start with his guitar solo. They hadn’t changed it. Stu picked up his bass instead of posing behind the keyboard. She loved this one. The lights lowered.

As soon as the music started, Kate took her temporary interest out to the dance floor.

The tall guy pressed closer. “Looks like your friend is doing fine without you.” The odor of stale smoke proceeded his words. “What do you say?” He stood and put his hands on the back of her chair, waiting for her to stand. She hesitated a moment while cursing Kate under her breath, then rose and accompanied the man to the floor, refusing to take the offered arm.

He kept a respectful distance. She had to give him credit for that. And it was easier to see the producer from this position. His expression was approving.

“So what do you do?”

“What?” She had heard his words, but they hadn’t yet registered.

“Do you work?”

“Yes.” His movement allowed view of the stage.

“What do you do?”

She caught Duncan’s eye. Staring again. Someone bumped into her and she pulled away, losing sight of the guitarist. “I’m a teacher.”

“A teacher? I never would’ve guessed that. What subject?”

“Ummm … dance.” The floor was crowded, making it hard to maintain the space in between. She was nudged closer to him.

“Really? I don’t think I’ve ever danced with a dance teacher before. I hope I’m not embarrassing you.”

She grinned enough to act complimented, barely. “Not at all.”

“Good.” His gaze gave her the urge to bolt. “So do you ever show off here?”

“Show off?”

“You know, do some real moves. Show what you can do.”

“I don’t like to attract attention.” She looked back at the table. The producer was nodding to himself. A good sign.

The tall man touched her elbow. “I think it would be impossible for you not to.”

“Why?”

“Because you are, by far, the most exquisite woman in this club, maybe in any club. That’s why I had to dance with you.”

Susie laughed. “Does that line work very often?”

“Believe me, that’s no line. Even the band has been eyeing you. They see plenty of pretty girls and I’m sure they get plenty of offers, but they’re watching you.”

A glance toward the stage found Evan keeping track of her. Mike was also looking her way, though Kate was possibly close by. And the new guitarist … her stomach twisted. His expression reminded her of a bulldog, not quite ready to attack, but … standing guard. It was comforting, in a way.

The music ended. The guy followed her to the table, offering another drink. She refused. He caught a passing waitress and ordered another, anyway, not mentioning to leave out the alcohol. He didn’t know she had.

Kate stayed out on the floor for a slower tune. Susie again cursed her silently. Why had she bothered to bring her? She avoided those eyes, the ones she knew were still watching her, and the ones she wished would watch her in the same way. She focused on Mike.

{insert Raucous lyrics}

The waitress interrupted. The tall man took the two drinks, dropped a ten dollar bill on the tray, refusing change, then set the daiquiri in front of Susie.

She shook her head. “I really can’t accept this. Maybe you should offer it to someone else.” This guy had to know she wasn't interested.

“It’s just a drink, not a proposal.” His look betrayed his words.

“I know, but, I’m ... kind of involved with someone.” Not exactly a lie.

“And you’re here without him?” His raised eyebrows said he didn’t believe her.

“Not exactly.”

“Where, exactly, is he?”

She glanced to the stage. He was staring again, or still. “In the band. That’s why they were watching.”

The man nodded. He didn’t look surprised. “Please, accept the drink anyway. I’ll keep you company since your friend appears distracted. And, since you’re … kind of involved … with one of the band members, maybe you could introduce me to them during a break.”

“Why?”

“They’re very good and I’m very into music. I’d like to meet them.”

The drink sat, perspiring, and the guy stayed, attempting conversation but not getting far. Kate was still dancing, apparently feeling just fine. The sullen attitude Susie detected in her throughout the rest of the day had disappeared. Maybe she would be okay with it. And how would Mike react? Susie hoped it was his, though her roommate hadn’t said for sure and the possibility was very likely there that it wasn’t. And if it wasn’t? Maybe he would finally walk away as Evan thought he should. But, then, she would be Kate’s only support. None of the guys would be interested in helping her after she’d hurt Mike by having someone else’s child. And she wouldn’t blame them. But if Kate walked away … if she truly couldn’t handle it … Evan would help. Even if he didn’t approve. He would never turn his back on her if she needed him.

Susie picked up the drink. Kate could drive home.



The dancing queen returned, alone. Her momentary king went to the bar. Susie imagined he would be back. She listened, uninterested, to Kate flirting with the tall guy, Mitch, if she remembered, but remained watchful of the crowd; of the way they reacted to certain songs, how much attention they were paying to the music, how many were just sitting and watching. She recognized many of the faces – the band’s small following. Although, it wasn’t so small anymore, and tonight, there were more faces just watching than usual. Another good sign. They could dance to any band. If the music was enough to hold their attention while sitting, they were enjoying the music for itself. “Rock and Roll” pulled more of them to their feet. Of course. Led Zeppelin’s music wasn’t made for sitting, even with Mike’s softer version.

“It’s been a long time since I rock and rolled … it’s been a long time since I did the stroll…”

Kate grabbed her companion as he reached the table, set the drinks down, and pulled him back out to the floor. Mike moved to the other side of the stage, close to Duncan. His guitar contrasted with Mike’s version, keeping the harshness of the original. An interesting combination, but Mike was having fun with it, stepping back and pointing toward the guitarist during a short solo.

Mitch tried to get her to dance. She refused. This was too fun to watch.

“Ooh, seems so long since we walked in the moonlight … making vows that just can’t work right … yeah, open your arms, open your arms…”

A bit too autobiographical for Mike, perhaps. He glanced at his girlfriend now and then. She returned the gaze once … and moved further away from her dance partner.

The daiquiri had melted into a watery slush by the time they took their next break. Susie sipped it again and watched to get Evan’s attention. He nodded just enough to say he’d understood her furtive signal, then continued to the band’s table. The producer stood, taking their hands again, chatting for a couple of minutes, then he left. Roy stayed where he was.

But Evan came to her rescue. He borrowed Kate’s chair, which didn’t matter since she turned away and went to the bar when she saw Evan there. Susie leaned closer toward him. He understood. After taking Mitch’s offered hand at his self-introduction, he set his arm around the back of her chair, brushing her shoulder lightly with the tips of his fingers. “You want to come over to the other table?”

Susie looked past him. The manager was still planted. “I don’t think so. But you can stay. Kate’s friend can pull up another chair.”

“Actually, I can’t. Roy’s about to leave, but he wants to talk a minute. I’m sure I’ll hear about making him wait as it is.”

“He doesn’t stay for your whole gig?”

Susie turned to Mitch. What business was it of his?

The tall man addressed Evan. “It’s your manager, right? The big guy at the table?”

“Yeah. Why?” Predictably Evan; not giving anything away. Suspicious of anyone trying to get close to her.

She leaned back against his arm. “He asked if I would to introduce him to you and the guys.” Rude, she supposed, to talk as though the guy couldn’t hear her, but she didn’t care. She also didn’t care now that Mitch was there.

Evan touched her eyes, reading her doubts, then turned to wait for an explanation from the guy he was blocking from getting any closer to her. The stranger suddenly took on a business attitude, leaning forward into the table, meeting Evan’s gaze directly. “Right down to business, I guess.” He leaned back again just enough to pull something from his shirt pocket. A business card. He handed it across the table. “I’m trying to put a show together, just a little charity thing, and I was hoping I could talk you guys into doing it.”

Holding the card where Susie could see the writing, Evan glanced over it. “You might want to talk to our manager, since he’s here.”

“Do you do charity shows?”

“Not so far, but it doesn’t mean we wouldn’t. Come on over. You can ask him now before he leaves.”

The guy accepted. Mitch. Mitchell Talon, as his card said. Talon Productions … Talon?? She knew that name. From where? She refused Evan’s request to walk over with them. Not until Roy left.

Talon Productions. Of course. She had sent them a tape, using Roy’s name. A charity thing? Something didn’t add up. Two producers in one night? If he was checking them out, why wouldn’t he have contacted Roy? And if he hadn’t, why would he have known where they were playing? Coincidence that he was there? She sincerely doubted that. Their area wasn’t exactly music central.

“So he stayed here quite a while.” Kate collapsed into her chair. “Having fun?”

“I could just as well have come by myself.” Susie sipped the drink. It was stronger at the bottom.

“I didn’t leave you alone. You had company.”

“Kate, I told you I didn’t want to dance with him.”

“Why not? You need to start dating again. I don’t think you’ve had a date since Nathan left, what, four or five months ago? This guy seems like your type – a gentleman, dressed nice, and he’s not bad looking, either.”

“He also seems close to thirty.”

“And? Evan’s twenty-five, and you’d take him in a minute.”

“This isn’t about Evan, and please keep your voice down.”

“Then who’s it about?”

“The band, Kate. I want to watch the guys play. Do you think you can sit with me so I have an excuse to just sit here?”

“The band.” She rolled her eyes and gulped her drink. “Suse, let it go. Get a life outside of those guys. It’s not like they’re getting you anywhere. Hell, Evan hasn’t asked you out since you’ve known him. What makes you think he might actually ever get around to it? Isn’t he still dating that friend of yours? So when they break up, are you gonna introduce him to another friend, and another, until he finds one he’ll keep and pushes you aside for good?”

Susie raised her chin slightly, in defiance, about to argue. Evan wouldn’t do that to her. He wouldn’t push her aside…. But he was. Kate was right. Maybe. And maybe she just needed to try harder. Shoving her chair back, she walked away, and headed toward Evan.

Roy was talking. She didn’t care. Evan questioned her silently when she took his arm, keeping her voice as low as possible. “Can I borrow you for a couple of minutes?”

“We’re trying to talk business!” The loudness in the manager’s voice overpowered even its rude tone.

Evan threw him a warning look, but held his tongue. His eyes were softer again meeting hers. “Any time.”

She slid her hand down to his and led him to the dance floor, slipping comfortably into place. Part of her wished he had called the manager down for his rudeness. But in front of Mitch, she supposed it wouldn’t have been appropriate. His buddy’s look, though … she had caught his expression while looking up to get Evan’s. Anger had shown through his eyes, but not only his eyes; his whole manner was tense. Again, he looked prepared to…

“What’s wrong, Angel?”

She looked up. How could she question him? Of course he had stayed quiet. He was a gentlemen, and unless there was cause … real cause…. She took a deep breath, trying to push her thoughts of him away, and Kate’s words. Back to business. “So, what’s up with that guy? Do you think he’s really doing a show?”

“He seems legit. Why?”

“I don’t know. There’s just something about him.”

“Is he bothering you?”

“No, he’s … well, he’s not being obnoxious or anything, but I did tell him I was kind of involved with someone in the band. Would you mind acting like my date tonight?”

Evan chuckled. “Well, it’s been a while, but I guess I remember how.”

“Thanks, I owe you.”

“Of course you don’t. I’ll be your date any time.”

She pulled her eyes away. Would he still say that if she asked him on a real date? If she tried…. Tried what? She was fooling herself. She would never try anything. It had to be up to him. And he was keeping nearly as much distance as Mitch had. He didn’t look like her date. He looked like he was doing her a favor by dancing with her.

When the song ended, he did keep an arm around her as they walked back to the group. She kept from looking at Mitch, or at Roy, as they continued to talk business, filling Evan in on what he’d missed. Soon, Kate walked up beside her.

Mike looked over, interrupting the conversation. “Where’s your new friend?”

“He was boring. Good dancer, but not fun to chat with.” She winked at him. Unbelievable.

Susie watched her continue to flirt across the table with Mike and felt Evan tense at Mike’s distraction. Mitch was next to Mike, blowing cigarette smoke from the side of his mouth. It was impossible for Susie not to see the producer ogling her. Evan didn’t seem to notice, or didn’t care.

A presence from behind startled her. “Walk with me.”

She turned, her face inches from Duncan’s. His look said it was important to go with him. Susie hesitated only a moment, then excused herself from her friend and let the intense guitarist usher her to an empty spot against an out-of-the-way wall. He stood very close when he stopped to face her and his musty cologne slightly overtook the smoke-scented warm air.

The blue eyes seared into hers. “I just thought you might want t’ know Roy told that guy you and Ev are just friends, more like siblings than anything else, while y’ were out dancing with him.”

“He what?” She felt her face getting warm. “Why would he do that?”

“Because he was askin’ about you. It’s obvious this guy’s interested.”

She looked away. Great. Now what excuse would she use?

“Do y’ want him to be interested?”

Her eyes jolted back to his. “Of course not. That’s why I asked Evan to act like my date.”

He was silent, studying her … relieved maybe? “You know, you could’ve asked me. I can be more convincing than that.”

“It wasn’t convincing?”

His grin was so adorable. He leaned his face closer. “I do no’ think you would’ve fooled him even if Roy hadn’t said anything.”

“We’ve fooled people before.” What wasn’t convincing about it? Too much space between them maybe, or just because Duncan knew Evan wasn’t …

He raised an eyebrow. “You’ve done this often, have you?”

“Only when necessary.”

“And it has worked?”

He was too surprised. It was irritating. What made him think they couldn’t act like … act like. It looked like an act, because it was. Or they looked like just friends, because they were. Kate knew. Duncan knew. It wasn’t going to happen, ever. She looked away from him.

“Did I offend you again?”

She felt his face lower, trying to see hers. She met his eyes; shook her head slightly. She wasn’t offended, just … getting over it. Or trying.

“It’s no’ a big deal, y’ know. Apparently, it has worked well enough, until tonight.”

The blue eyes sparkled. She couldn’t tell him he was wrong. It was a big deal.

“Would you like a new partner-in-crime?” He raised a hand to her face, brushing his fingers into her hair, moving them down behind her ear. “One tha’ can be convincing t’ anyone who is bothering to watch?”

The touch was electrifying, sending shivers through her body. He was close, closer than Evan had been … still not close enough. Why should she keep fighting this? She’d been attracted … interested … from the beginning, from his first touch. Every touch since had been ingrained in her memory, appearing now and then out of nowhere. And this … his hand slid down her arm, the other touching her waist, barely. She allowed more contact, bringing her own hand up to his shoulder, as though they were dancing. She wished for the nerve to touch his hair as he had touched hers.

“Is that a ‘yes’?” His voice was softer, his eyes reaching.

“Yes. I would love to be your date tonight.” For just a moment, Susie expected him to lean in further, to touch his lips to hers. She wondered if she would let herself object.
“Too bad we’re only actin’.” His fingers returned to her face, brushing her bangs. The other hand found the middle of her back.

Her body involuntarily pulled closer, tensing as she cautiously laid her hand on his waist. His eyes searched hers, as if asking her thoughts. And what would she say?

“Am I botherin’ you?”

Depends how you mean. “No.” His palm touched her cheek. She moved into it, her eyes closing, only for a second. Susie caught herself and looked away.

He drew back just slightly, studying her, though she refused to let herself see his face. “You are stayin’ for the whole show?”

“Umm, I was going to try to talk Kate into leaving, since….”

“Stay. I want you here.”

She heard the band start tuning up for their next set. It brought her back to where she was, but she wasn’t ready to let him go. “Okay.”

He touched her face again before backing up to offer his arm. As shaky as she felt, it was comforting to wrap her fingers around his biceps. They were primed from playing. She didn’t dare look up at the stage. He walked her all the way to her table, held her chair, met her eyes, then returned to where he was supposed to be.



Susie shut out most of Kate and Mitch chattering away during the set. If Mr. Talon was interested in them, shouldn’t he be listening instead of flirting? At least he had turned his attention toward Kate instead, though. She supposed Duncan’s ruse had been fairly convincing. And why not? It had even been convincing to her, though she didn’t think for a minute that it was an act for him. She had a hard time paying attention to the whole sound with her focus on his guitar … his fingers … the resonance of their touch…. He again caught her staring. She didn’t pull her eyes away this time. Until she saw movement from the other side of the stage. Evan walked toward Mike. The lead singer, during a break in the lyrics, talked in his ear. Evan didn’t stop playing, but glanced at his friend, then looked down at her. She didn’t pull her eyes away from him, either. But his gaze didn’t have the same effect.

Interrupted by another request to dance, she refused politely and stared at Kate when she jumped up to accept in her place. Alone with Mitch again, she turned further from him when he moved his chair closer, the trail of smoke following.

“Why do I get the feeling you don’t like me?”

She turned back just enough for him to hear her. “I don’t know you.”

“But you’re sure avoiding me. You know, if you’re kind of involved with that guy and I’m going to be working with them, we’re bound to run into each other occasionally. It would be more pleasant if we got along.”

“Working with them for one show?”

“To start with.”

Now he had her attention. “What do you mean?”

He grinned, letting his eyes wander too much. “I mean that if the show goes well, there could be a possibility for more than that.”

“Like what?”

“Now, that’s band business. Privileged information. Nothing for one of their girls to worry about.”

Susie bristled. One of their girls? What did he think she was? “Really? Then why did you come to me to introduce you? It seemed to be my business then.”

“That was just an introduction; nothing to do with business.” He continued, answering her silence. “Don’t get in an uproar. And you really don’t like me. But then, you really don’t know me. How about giving me a chance before throwing me out completely?”

“How about telling me who you really are?”

He acted innocent. “I gave your friend my card.”

“Yeah, and I imagine the first guy Roy was talking to did, as well. Anyone can have cards made. And I don’t want them to think this is something when it really isn’t.”

“Looks and brains. What do you know?”

Her back straightened. Who did he think he was, with that annoying smirk and cigarette hanging from his fingers? She wasn’t amused.

“Okay. Truth.” He pulled on the cigarette, blowing the smoke off to the side. “The guy who was sitting with Roy when you came in actually works for me. He was just a decoy so I could go unnoticed.”

“Why?”

“Because I’ve been checking them out, talking to people, watching the audience. The show is real, and I want them to be my closing band. It’ll be good publicity for them and good experience.”

“And you asking me to dance was a coincidence?”

“No, I knew who you were. Roy pointed you out just after you arrived. He was in on the whole thing.”

“Why? If Roy knew, you didn’t need me to introduce you.”

His eyes wandered again. “Well, I think … maybe … there’s been a misunderstanding. Roy led me to believe that you were...”

“That I was what?”

“That you might be interested in … entertaining ... just for an evening or two. He said you … hang out … with the band.”

“He what?” Her cheeks flushed. She could feel the heat.

“I take it he was mistaken?”

Her anger deepened at the question in his voice and she pushed away from the table, standing. He caught her arm. She pivoted. “Let go.”

“Hey, I’m just telling you what he said.”

“And assuming he’s right. Let go of me!” She pulled free and nearly ran into Kate.

Kate stepped back. “What’s wrong?”

“Let’s go.”

He caught her arm again. “Susie, relax. I’m not going to try anything. I just thought you should know.”

Kate moved in closer. “Know what? What’d he say to you?”

She pulled her arm away again. “Forget it. I want to go.”

“You know, if you leave now, you’ll interrupt the band. They’re already watching, and I don’t think your boyfriend is just going to let you walk out.”

Her boyfriend? Susie looked around Kate. It wasn’t only Evan and Duncan watching this time. She had the attention of the whole band, three of whom appeared ready to jump off the stage. How could she tell them to keep going? Not to stop because of her? Looking at Evan, she raised her hands, using their sign language to tell him it was okay, even though it wasn’t. He relaxed, but only slightly. The other guys would take their cue from him. She couldn’t go. Nothing was going to happen here, and she couldn’t leave after telling Duncan she would stay. Besides, she would feel safer going home the same time they did. Reluctantly, she took her seat and tried to calm herself down.

Mitch took the chair next to her. “I’m sorry I had to tell you that. But I wanted to let you know that you might want to watch him, or stay clear.”

Kate looked from Susie to Duncan, then back at Mitch. “What’s going on? Do you know something about him that we don’t? Do you know where he’s from?”

Mitch looked confused. “Why would I know where he’s from?”

“I thought maybe you were trailing him and using this charity thing as a cover. You know, he’s only been here two weeks. Evan’s the only one who knows anything about him.”

“Kate, please stop talking.”

“Suse, if there’s something going on with this guy, you need to know before he comes onto you more than he already has.”

“He’s not talking about Duncan. He’s talking about Roy, and I already know he’s sleazy.”

“Roy? What’d he do now? Did he make another pass at you?”

Mitch raised his eyebrows. “Another pass?”

“Look, don’t believe anything he tells you. And please, don’t say anything to the guys. They don’t know about it and I want to keep it that way.” She took another drink, feeling the warmth run through her. Why on earth would Roy have told him that? So she turned him down, so what? She could hardly be the first. The man was in no way attractive, and he sure wasn’t charming. Why would anyone not turn him down? He did seem to be fairly intelligent, and he had money, but neither made up for his rude arrogance. She sipped her drink as she watched the band. They really needed to find another manager.



As soon as the guys left the stage, Duncan headed to the little table and pulled the empty chair closer to Susie’s, ordering a cola and another daiquiri from a waitress passing by. “So what was going on?”

She didn’t want to say.

Mitch shrugged. “Just a misunderstanding.”

Susie glanced at him, not at all sure he accepted that it was. She didn’t trust him. But Duncan’s eyes were on her and she let it go. The DJ put on a Jim Croce tune: “Time in a Bottle” – her favorite.

“You like this one?”

She looked at the guitarist. “I love it. It’s beautiful. Not exactly Clapton, I guess, but…”

“I like this one, too. All of his music, actually.” He was serious. He liked Jim Croce. “Dance with me?”

Shivers came even without his touch. She nodded.

It didn’t matter that the lights were up, or that Evan was in the room, or that Roy had struck again. She was calm, content to be close to him, to feel his hand on her waist, her fingers entwined with his. He held her closer than Evan ever had, leaned his head down further so she could feel his breath against her cheek. She moved in, her fingers releasing his to rest on his shoulder, her head nearly touching his face. His arm wrapped around her, holding her firmly.

“I’ve looked around enough to know … that you’re the one I want to go … through time with…”

Duncan pulled back, slightly, enough to see her face as she raised it to him. “Go out with me tomorrow.”

She didn’t want to refuse, but …. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“Before … you said it never mattered whether or not you were turned down and you never ask more than once. Why does it matter now? Why do you keep asking me?”

He raised his fingers to her face, brushing her skin, her hair. “Because I feel like I will be missing too much if I do no’ get t’ know you better.”

The shivering throughout her body intensified.

“Are y’ cold?”

He noticed. She shook her head. “No.” He was too far away. She wanted him to pull her back in. “I would love to go out with you.” The look emanating from his eyes touched her soul. Grateful? Surprised? She wasn’t sure, but she was flattered that he cared enough to keep asking, to show through his whole being that she mattered to him, in some way. That he didn’t care if anyone else knew, or if they were watching. She moved in against him. All the way against him, her head resting lightly against his shoulder, eyes closed.