Page 21 of Business or Pleasure

My eyes opened, blinking into the darkness, my head muddled with sleep. For a moment, I didn’t remember where I was, but then I saw the glowing red numbers of a bedside clock and remembered. After lunch with Alec earlier today, I came back to the hotel, too tired to do anything but kick off my shoes before falling into bed. Sleep was always how my body coped with stress. In university, the day after finals were over, I would sleep for ten hours straight.

I looked at the clock again—nine o’clock. I groaned as I sat up, reaching for my phone. My stomach growled, and my head gave an angry throb, not surprising as I saw it was nighttime, and all I’d had to eat and drink had been at lunch hours ago. I made a quick call down for some food and then hopped into the shower. I needed to be up and about for at least a few hours before trying to go back to sleep. I was unsure how much time I’d be in the US, so I needed to get my body on Seattle time.

I’d been out of the shower only a few minutes when the knock for room service came. I grabbed the hotel robe and put it on as I answered the door. A pretty brunette smiled as she pushed the food cart into my room, her eyes moving over my body in a way that made me think she was picturing what I looked like underneath the robe.

I didn’t mind, though I wouldn’t have a dalliance with a member of the hotel staff. Not knowing how long I’d be staying here, if I slept with this young woman and she didn’t take a one-night stand well, I could end up with unpleasant things in my food or my room. It wasn’t worth the risk, not when there was a whole city out there with women I didn’t know.

“Thank you,” I said as I pulled a bill from my wallet. “Have a good night.”

It could have been my imagination, but she looked a little disappointed that I didn’t ask her to stay. I had told Alec that I could find my own dates, and that’s what I would do after I ate. The food was delicious, as was the beer, but I wanted something a little more substantial, and I planned to get it somewhere else. Somewhere I could also find someone to take the edge off.

Not familiar with the city, I did what I would typically do in a strange place and went to the young woman at the front desk. Her name tag read Zoe, and she looked at least ten years younger than me, though plenty old enough for the sultry look she gave me when I approached. If I had met her somewhere else, I might have seen where things would go.

Regardless, I gave her my best charming smile. “I’m looking for a place to get a drink.”

“You’re Scottish, right?” Her gaze dropped to my lips for a moment.

“Aye, I am.”

“Are you looking for a taste of home or something more locally?”

I had to admit I was impressed that she hadn’t just given me the name of a club…or told me she’d take care of me when she got off work. “As long as it’s close and has good music, either one is fine.”

She appeared to think for a minute and then nodded. “The Black Crow. It’s a Scottish bar two blocks over, and they have a live band on Saturday nights.” She winked at me. “I always go there after work on Saturdays.”

I smiled to show that I heard, but I didn’t offer any encouragement. Even if she showed up, I wouldn’t lay a hand on her. Not even Zoe couldn’t tempt me to break my no-hotel-employees rule. With a polite nod, I thanked her and headed toward the front doors. It was a clear, beautiful night, and I’d spent too much time over the last couple of days sitting around. The opportunity to stretch my legs was appealing, so I took it.

As I walked, I decided that tonight, I would just let things happen, see where they went. Not listen to my heart. That had just fucked everything up. No, I wasn’t going to listen to my head or my heart. I would simply exist in the moment, let it be whatever it would be.

I could hear the music before I reached the bar, some old school rock which made me smile. I’d honestly expected either bagpipes because Zoe had called it a Scottish bar, country because it was an American bar, or dance music because it was more club than bar. What I heard would’ve been better classified as classic American rock. I wasn’t familiar enough to know if it was a cover or an original, but the band sounded talented.

As I stepped inside, I immediately registered how packed the place was, but the second thing I noticed was that everyone seemed completely riveted by whoever was on stage. When I saw her, I understood. Her voice was great, but her skill on the guitar was amazing. Her friend was equally as talented, but it was the blonde with the black and blue streaked hair who I couldn’t look away from, not even as I moved around the crowd to find a place at the bar. She wore some sort of leather and lace dress that managed to show off a fantastically curvaceous body and a pair of chunky black boots that somehow looked sexy even though common sense said they shouldn’t.

I ordered a shot and downed it without really noticing what I was drinking. Everything in me was focused on the gorgeous woman in the spotlight. I felt like I could barely even breathe until the song ended and she handed over the guitar.

At first, I thought she was taking a break, but then a man came to the mic and asked for another round for the two ladies who’d done a wonderful job and I realized that the women weren’t part of the band. Pity, because I would have liked to listen to her more. Maybe I’ll catch a break with her later, but first, I needed to find the damn loo somewhere.

Nine

Harlee

Jin and I grinned at each other as we played the last notes, and for a moment, it felt like we had been transported back to a time when playing music together was our way of escaping. Our lives had never been easy, but music was always constant with us. Whenever we picked up a guitar or sang together, it was like no time passed, and for a moment everything was suddenly easy and simple.

The applause was deafening, cheers and whistles, people calling for more. It sounded like they could have listened to us play all night, which just made me smile even harder as I handed the guitar back to the owner. Always leave the audience wanting more.

Jin linked her arm through mine and the two of us climbed off the stage. Quaid was right there waiting and swept Jin up in his arms. Their mouths fused together as Quaid stumbled backward, hitting the wall with a thud. I laughed and shook my head. Jin would be occupied for a while. That was okay. If she wanted to end the night here instead of three bars down, I didn’t mind.

I could keep drinking here.

Singing had made me thirsty, so I headed back to the bar, first to order another water and then to get something else. Except before I could order anything, a glass with yellow-orange liquid settled on the counter in front of me. I looked up to see Craig smiling at me.

“It’s a Golden Margarita.”

“I see that.” I tapped the glass with a nail.

“Drink up.”

Craig was obnoxious and crude, clearly unable to take no for an answer, and yet he’d still bought me another drink. I didn’t have any specific reason to be suspicious, but I’d been taking care of myself for a long time and I wasn’t foolish enough to drink from an open glass that I hadn’t had my eyes on every minute.

---