Page 6 of Dear One Night Stand
I smile as kindly as I can back to him because if I didn't want to embarrass Annie, I'd have a few choice words for him instead.
“No, I perform there three nights a week and every other weekend.”
“Covers?”
Okay, now this guy is starting to piss me off.
"All originals." I smile back. "You all are welcome to come if you'd like. I can get you in."
Excitement spreads around the table as everyone is eager to prolong this evening. Everyone but Annie. She looks up at me, and I realize my mistake. She was going to use me as an excuse to end this evening early.
A part of me wants to blame Baker for getting a rise out of me and forcing my hand to invite everyone out tonight, but I’d be lying if that was the only reason I did what I did. I’m enjoying spending some time with Annie. I like her and would like to see if there is something beyond this fake date that could lead to a real one.
ANNIE
Well, I didn’t see that coming. How did my fake date turn into the group of us moving to the second location for the evening? I should be on my way home now. Instead, I'm walking arm and arm with Marnie down the street to the club where Chris is performing.
He had to leave pretty quickly after he invited everyone to his show. We couldn’t really discuss what just happened because we weren't alone. When he leaned down, I thought he would whisper something to me, but instead, his lips pressed against mine. I melted at his touch, and the confident way he kissed me like this was the thousandth time and not the first time.
I couldn't form words when he finally pulled back and whispered that he'd reserve us a table. All I could do was nod back to him, and he left.
It wasn't until he was gone that I suddenly felt the anxiety I felt leading up to tonight. It was like his presence alone was enough to calm me and make me feel like my nerves weren't going to get the better of me. I wanted to feel that feeling again. Somehow a gorgeous man with a jaw that wouldn't quit and lips that made my toes curl in the best way was pretending to be my boyfriend. If I'm not careful, I could get lost in this make-believe world I've stumbled into.
“How are you doing?” Marnie whispers to me.
I glance ahead at Baker walking with Nadine on his arm. He glances back over his shoulder at me like he somehow knows that we are talking about him. Our eyes meet, and I wait for the feelings I once felt for him to return, but they don’t. Instead, I pick up the speed so that I can get to the club. I'm already missing Chris. I want another chance to kiss him.
“I’m fine.”
“Normally, I’d think you were lying,” Marnie says. “But you seem different.”
“It’s Chris.”
“Did you know him before tonight?”
I shake my head. “Nope.”
“Then how is it possible that you two are already so connected? I saw the way you two sat together so comfortably at the restaurant and that kiss.”
I stop abruptly, and Eddie, whose talking on his phone behind us, narrowly sidesteps us and keeps walking.
"That kiss was," I pause, unable to put into words what I felt. It was like an instant soul-searing connection that I've never felt before. “That kiss was everything.”
The smile slips from Marnie’s face. “Just be careful, okay? I don’t want you to get caught up in all this and get hurt.”
Deep down, I know she's right, but at this moment, I can't help but feel hope for the potential of this night. I can't be the only one feeling this weirdly magical instant connection. Is it even possible for two people to fall so quickly for someone they don’t know? The only way to find out is to take a chance. I have to hope that this will end with a happily ever after and not another heartbreak.
The bouncer at the door waves us in when I give him my name and point to the group of us. The people waiting in line groan in irritation, and I feel bad until I walk in and see Chris on stage.
He’s tuning his guitar and talking to another guy working on the speaker near his feet. As we head towards the stage, he looks out and sees me. He flashes me a panty-melting grin and winks at me. He points to the empty table near the stage.
There a rose sitting on the table in front of the chair with the best view of the stage. I pick up the flower and bite my lip, suddenly feeling nervous. How did he find a flower between the restaurant and here?
“I’m not one to admit when I’m wrong,” Marnie whispers to me as we sit down. “But I think that someone might not just be playing along as I thought."
Chris sits down on the stool in front of his microphone and makes his introductions. He gives me a not-so-secret smile when he says that he's going to sing a song called, "When We Met."
5
