Page 30 of Rock and a Hard Place

Libby stirred the straw around the glass, scooting the last bits of malt together. “I love food.” She handedthe empty glass back for him to place on the tray.

“Where to next?” Peter asked.

“First, the waitress needs to come get the tray off the side of the door. Otherwise, I guarantee you will be noticed driving down the street with a food tray hanging on your window.”

“Oh yeah, guess I missed that little detail.”

His brief look of embarrassment warmed her heart. The world traveler, Peter Jamieson, didn’t know how to do a drive-up restaurant. “Start the car or turn your lights on. She’ll come.”

Peter started the Jeep; the powerful engine hummed. Within a couple minutes, the waitress returned for their tray. As she lifted it from the window, she eyed Peter again.

“You wouldn’t happen to be—”

“Nope,” Peter interrupted, then flashed her his famous smile as he put the Jeep in reverse.

The waitress stepped out of the way. Libby saw her glance down at the tray and see the twenty-dollar tip. She looked up at him, her face more confused than ever. Peter backed up and then pulled onto Main Street.

“Which direction is the Trivoli?”

“We’re going to a movie?” Libby hadn’t seen a movie in ages.

“Of course. It wouldn’t be a proper date if we didn’t have dinner and a movie.”

Libby couldn’t have asked for a more perfect night. Shedirected him farther down Main. They had a half hour before the show started, so Peter parked and they wandered along the river.

“So how did you convince your parents to let you come?” She looped her arm around his.

“I held them at gunpoint,” he said with a straight face.

“No, really?” She poked him in the arm.

“It wasn’t hard at all . . . considering it’s my eighteenth birthday.”

Libby stopped. “It’s your birthday? When?” She faced him and blocked his path.

“Today.”

“You didn’t tell me!” She grabbed the front of his leather jacket and tried to give him a good shake.

“What was I supposed to say?” he said, laughing. “It’s my birthday, so you have to be really nice to me and bake me a cake?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what you were supposed to say,” she brooded. “I would have gotten you a present.” How, she didn’t know. It would have been worth the punishment of cleaning the school lunchroom again. He must have millions of fan who know exactly when his birthday is, yet she didn’t.

“Spending time with you is all the present I need.” He put his arm around her and pulled her close.

“Well, you need a birthday present. Eighteen is a big deal. When I turn eighteen, the world is going to know.”

“My life is filled with ‘over the top.’ I wanted something meaningful.”

Libby gazed into his gorgeous blue eyes, then reached and brought his face down to hers. She kissed him sweetly on the mouth. It felt like her birthday today, not his. She reached behind her neck and unhooked her necklace.

“I know this isn’t much, but it’s one of my favorite things. If it isn’t too dorky or weird, I’d like you to have it.” She held the pendant out for him. It was one of her most prized possessions.

He touched the onyx carving, strung on a leather cord, and his eyes connected with hers. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” she stated. “It’s some ancient symbol. It means ‘believe.’”

“It’s awesome. Very rock and roll.” He rubbed his thumb over the smooth stone.

---