Page 19 of Better Luck Next Time

Adalia gave them both a saucy grin. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

Of course, in most families it probably wasn’t, but in the Buchanan family, it had ultimately meant being all alone.

But she shoved the bitter memories away and focused on the present, because she was having fun with Georgie and Jack, and shedidwant to get to know him better.

They ordered their food and discussed superficial things, like their favorite bands and movies. Then they moved on to college (Jack had gone to community college but hadn’t finished), first jobs and, after a couple of drinks, first crushes—Georgie and Adalia learning things about each other that they hadn’t known.

Jack seemed to share freely, but Adalia couldn’t help thinking he was holding something back. She had no idea what it could be, and she didn’t plan on interrogating him. Heaven knew she had plenty of secrets of her own. He had to wonder why she’d abruptly moved to town in June, yet he hadn’t asked. And he still hadn’t asked about Finn showing up last night, or why there was a red footprint next to Bessie in the driveway. He knew she was an artist, but there wasn’t a hint of her art in Grandpa Beau’s house. He had to have questions. His reserve, which had initially put her off, made her respect him more. Jack Durand was the kind of man who respected other people’s secrets.

By the time they all shared a slice of cheesecake and a brownie sundae, the three siblings were laughing and enjoying one another’s company. Of course, that was when the announcer called out, “Next up, we have Adalia, Georgie, and Jack.”

Horror filled Georgie’s eyes. “We haven’t even picked out a song. And how did they get our names?”

“Lucky for both of you,” Adalia said mischievously as she slid out of her seat. “I submitted our names and our song when I went to the bathroom right before we got our food. You can pick next time.”

“There won’t be a next time,” Georgie said in a tight voice.

Adalia grabbed her hand and dragged her to the stage. “You say that now…”

There were only two mics, so Adalia shared one with Georgie and let Jack have the other. He shuffled his weight back and forth as though he was on the defensive line of a homecoming football game and his home team was being slaughtered.

Adalia couldn’t help laughing. She hoped he brought that energy to the song she’d chosen.

“Don’tworry,” she told them. “Just have fun.” Then the music to Bruno Mars’s “Uptown Funk” started playing and she darted a glance at her siblings. “I hope you remember how to dance.”

Jack challenged her with a look that smacked ofbring it on, and she beamed, making a big show of brushing off her shoulders.

The lyrics kicked in on the screen, and Adalia burst into song. While she never hoped to have a singing career, she knew she could carry a tune. She sang loud and moved to the music, because who could stay still while listening to or belting out this song?

To her surprise, Jack could sing too, and he met her challenge, singing and dancing with her. Georgie sang a little more softly than the two of them, but she began to lose some of her inhibitions as they went along, especially since the crowd had started cheering them and singing along. The two sisters started dancing around their brother, and when they got to the line about Saturday night, Adalia shouted out “Wednesday night” instead, and they kept it up for the rest of the song.

When they got to the bridge, Adalia called out, “Take it, Georgie!” then nudged her sister closer to the microphone. Georgie looked terrified again, but she started to hesitantly sing, “before we leave…” and the crowd shouted her name, encouraging her to own it. By the time she got to the end of the bridge, Georgiewasowning it, belting out the words while Jack and Adalia danced next to her, snapping to the beat.

Adalia motioned for the crowd to get to their feet and sing along even louder. The entire restaurant was full of energy, and Adalia was lapping up every bit of it as they brought the song to a close. When the last note played, everyone was whooping and hollering and applauding, and Adalia gave her sister a quick hug.

“I’m so proud of you, Georgie!”

Before her sister could say anything, Adalia stepped in front of the microphone beside Jack and called out, “My brother, Jack Durand! New to Asheville and very single, ladies!”

Or so she thought, anyway. Cheers rang out, along with a few wolf whistles.

“I’m Adalia Buchanan—Yes! Of the notorious Buchanan Brewery!”

Jack wrapped an arm around her, taking control of the mic, and said, “Also very single.”

There were more cheers and whistles, and one man shouted, “I like ’em wild!”

“Hey!” Jack said in a semi-playful tone as he pointed into the crowd. “That’s my sister you’re talking about.”

Adalia broke into laughter. “And the shy one of our group is Georgie Buchanan, who is taken, boys. Her sights are setveryfirmly on River Reeves, so don’t bother wasting your time.”

There were a few groans but plenty of laughter and cheering as Adalia gave them a mock salute. “And our work here is done. Good night!”

The crowd shouted and clapped as they walked off the stage. The poor woman who got on stage next and sang“Total Eclipse of the Heart,” slightly off key, didn’t stand a chance.

The manager came over and comped their desserts and invited them to come back on the weekend. “I haven’t seen the crowd this excited since those rodeo clowns came to town.”

“We’ll definitely give it some thought,” Georgie said in a rush, probably hoping to keep Adalia from accepting the offer. “Thank you.”

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