Page 41 of Trouble Walked In

Renic patiently waited as if he knew she wrestled with inner turmoil. His gaze lingered on her lips, and she almost leaned forward.

She opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by the end of the song and the cheers of the audience.

Lizzie ripped her gaze away from Renic’s and clapped along with everyone else. After a few seconds, he did the same.

They ate while Jacob entertained the crowd with covers of Elton John, The Eagles, and Taylor Swift. The last one caught them by surprise, and they both forgot to eat as they were swept along with the crowd by Jacob’s take on “I Knew You Were Trouble.”

A crooked grin spread across Renic’s face, and her heart tripped over the memory of another time when he'd taken her to dinner after one of her sisters’ shows to a place he’d wanted to scout talent.

It was an intimate jazz-type club, with low lights, dark wood paneling, and a raised platform barely wide enough for two people to stand on for a stage. Tables had been pushed back to allow space for dancing, but most people were more interested in the food.

Renic had listened while she’d told him about her husband's latest movie venture, which was going to be as unsuccessful as the one before. He’d laughed when she’d told him about Della's latest antics. He’d commiserated when she’d shared how a last-minute cancelation had meant they’d had to fly coast-to-coast twice in five days.

She hadn't spoken to her husband in almost two weeks at that point, and even then he'd been distant and too preoccupied to talk for more than a couple of minutes. When they were first married, he’d acted like she was his world, but not anymore. An emotional gulf had opened in the center of their marriage, and she'd had no idea how to get to the other side, and, worse, she hadn’t been sure she wanted to.

She had been exhausted by the tour, the unease at home, and her life, in general.

Then the music had started, and Renic had smiled that crooked little smile, held out his hand, and said, "Let's dance.”

Not long after that, her father died, and the bottomdropped out of her world. But she remembered the way Renic had looked at her that night, and the way her heart had lifted, and how safe she’d felt in his arms as he’d guided her around the dance floor.

Renic glanced sideways at her. “This kid’s got real potential.”

His hand accidentally brushed hers, sending a jolt of electricity up her arm.

She dragged her thoughts back to the present and nodded her agreement.

She’d been in trouble the second Jackson Renic walked back into her life.

Lizzie returned her attention to the kid on the stage and tried her best to ignore how hyperaware she was of Renic’s every move.

When the kid finished his last song, Renic jumped up to talk with him, card in hand. She watched the animated way he engaged the young artist and smiled, remembering times when he’d talked with her like that about her sisters or other acts along the way.

Jacob’s life was changing right in front of her, and he didn’t even know it yet.

Renic made her feel like that too, even though there was no future with him. They were only together right now because they had a deal to help Della. Then Renic would go back to the city and his life, and she’d continue with hers. They’d never have to see each other again.

Why did that thought make her so sad?

She ordered another beer and watched Renic work.

The sun had setby the time they left the Still & Grill. Lizzie blinked at the darkness she hadn’t expected.

A little rush of panic flared, and she pulled out her phone to check the time. It was dead. “What time is it?”

Renic checked his phone. “Six forty-five.”

The lost hours and the mountain of things she had to do pounded at her, making her heart race. “We were in there for five hours?”

“Almost six,” Renic said. “The tire was fixed around four, but Jacob’s set wasn't finished, and we couldn't leave until we talked to him. No way I want to leave him languishing out here in the boonies.”

“You must be losing your touch. It took you almost two hours to get him on the hook.”

“Nah, it took me ten minutes to hook him. You saw that look in his eyes. The rest was just so Morgan could work up the contract. I’m not the only one out here looking, and I've learned not to leave if I think there's something there.” He stepped toward the SUV, jiggling the keys as if he didn’t have a wedding or anything else to worry about.

Her plan to keep him away from Della had simultaneously worked and backfired. She’d been an idiot. When the tire blew, she should have called a car, begged a ride back, or had Mark come pick them up. Instead, she’d ignored every responsibility she had to listen to music and help Renic sign a young new talent.

Seeing him work with Jacob had brought back a lot of old feelings she’d thought long forgotten. She’d watched him with other young artists when he hadn’t known she was there. He was compassionate and caring, enthusiastic and nurturing. She’d enjoyed being around him at times like that because he was so very different from her husband.

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