Page 16 of I Love Rock n Wine

“So?”

“Where’s the asshole and what did you do with him?” He chuckled but he was right. She made me smile. I couldn’t say she calmed me all the time, because on stage, with the crew and band, I still had an image to uphold, but she sure did wonders for me outside of that.And sadly, I can’t say I minded.

“Thanks for coming,” I told her, kissing her cheek softly.

“No worries.I had no plans and thought it might be fun.”

“Oh, it’s going to be fun.” I rolled my eyes as Kev walked up behind me, holding his hand out. “I’m Kev.”

“Sorry, threesomes aren’t my thing,” she teased, taking his hand.

“I like her humor. I’m Heath’s best friend.”

“Oh, that’s the point of our relationship now, huh? Meeting the friends? Is our next dinner date the family?”

“Shut up,” I teased back, wrapping my arm around her waist. “Kev here was listening to a new beat, and he wanted to meet the woman behind all the newfound inspiration I seemed to have gotten.But he has been my best friend since we were running around and causing chaos in middle school.”

“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Kev.”

“Same, Tiff.”I watched as he cocked his head, looking at her closely. “Have we met before? You seem awfully familiar to me.”

“I don’t know when. I was at BeeAnn’s the night I ran into Heath. Maybe that’s where you’ve seen me from?”

“Huh, maybe.But I swear it’s more. Maybe you just have one of those faces?”

“Could be.So, do I get to hear some of this great music since I’m with the star now?”

“I see.I’m being used so you can hear all the newest tracks.” I shook my head, chuckling as both of them laughed. “Come on down to the studio. There is a song I want you to hear.”

“She hasn’t heard it, man?” Kev asked and I gave him a big grin, making him laugh even more.

It wasn’t that the song was a surprise, exactly. She knew I was working on a song that was probably more for her than anyone else, but she never pushed to hear it. She would ask how the writing was going, but never about details. It almost seemed like she cared, but me being a star wasn’t the main attraction. Did I mention how awesome of a feeling that was?

“Nope, heard nothing. Is there food involved at some point, though? I was promised food.”

“I like this one,” Kev said, swinging his arm around her shoulder. But before we could head downstairs, his phone dinged. I watched as his face morphed and his teeth clenched. “I hate to bail, but this is important, and I need to head out. Raincheck on the dinner, Tiff?”

“Of course.Do what you have to do. It was nice meeting you.”

“Likewise,” he said before turning to me and slapping my hand. “I’ll talk to you later, man.”

“Be careful.”I watched him walk out and then turned to Tiff. “I swear this wasn’t a ruse to get you over here. But I am glad he left and were alone. Come on, it’s about time you heard this.”

I led her down to the studio, having her take a seat on the piano bench. I cued up the music, then sat next to her, playing the piece on the ivories, singing along to ‘In Your Eyes’.

In your arms, tonight

I know that love is right

And when I look into your eyes

I know the reason I’m alive.

I wrapped up the song, turning to look at her. I grinned as I reached over to catch her tears.

“You don’t need to cry,” I whispered but she shook her head.

“No one has ever written me a song. And never one so beautiful.”

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