Page 58 of California Love Songs
He pulled up outside a cute café, popular with students because there were plenty of plugins for laptops and some long tables suitable for working. It was also open late. “Dessert,” he said as he came around to her side to open the door.
She stepped out, looking bemused but game.
Inside, the café’s white stucco walls and string lights gave it a cozy, welcoming feel, and the aroma of baked goods and rich coffee drifted through the air. Damien found a table in the corner, and Crystal asked for an espresso while he ordered a green tea. There was an amazing array of baked goods, but they were so full they decided to share a chocolate brownie.
Damien smiled across the table. “So, this is where you can come and study when you go to college,” he told her. “With the cool kids.”
Crystal raised one eyebrow. “I was never a cool kid.”
“It’s never too late,” he assured her.
They sipped their hot drinks and devoured the brownie, which was gooey and rich and the perfect indulgent end to their meal. Damien enjoyed breaking his clean-eating rules with Crystal. There was something so special about sharing food with her. Maybe it was just that she made everything more fun.
Before walking to the jazz club, they strolled hand in hand along the beach. Damien was amazed at how natural it felt, how comfortable they were with one another. They took a seat on a nearby bench and gazed out at the lights of the wharf reflected on the water. He turned to look at Crystal’s profile, so perfect in the evening light. He slipped an arm around her shoulders and drew her closer. She smelled tantalizing.
“I can imagine you studying here, sitting on this bench, inspired by the ocean.”
But Crystal didn’t smile; her gaze was fixed on the horizon. “What if I can’t do it? What if I’m not as smart as I thought I was?”
Damien squeezed her shoulders. “You’re the smartest person I know. It’s up to you whether you want this or not.” Then he pulled a small package from his jacket pocket and handed it to her. “This is for you.”
“You really are full of surprises today,” she said, taking the gift and tugging at its shiny red bow. Her mouth dropped open as she lifted the lid. “You bought me a stethoscope.”
Damien grinned. “It’s the one thing I know that every doctor needs. Besides, I want to play doctor with you.” He took the stethoscope from her and, putting the earpieces in, carefully placed the diaphragm on her chest.
“That’s not where my heart is,” she said with a laugh, moving it higher up.
He removed the earpieces. “See? You already know medical stuff.”
Her eyes reflected the dying light like polished glass, and for a moment, neither of them said a word. Then, slowly, deliberately, he leaned in, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face before his lips met hers.
It was a kiss that began softly, tentatively, like the sea testing the sand, and deepened with every second. Her hands found the collar of his shirt, pulling him closer. The sound of the waves, the distant cries of gulls, and the wash of the ocean faded into nothing.
He wanted to undress her again, slip the black fabric from her shoulders and take her right there in the open, but he had to hold back. He drew away and stared at her hungrily.
Her expression matched his. It was on the tip of his tongue to suggest they abandon the jazz club and jump back into bed. But then he remembered they had the whole night together. They could wait. It would only make their lovemaking all the sweeter.
He took her hand. “Let’s get to the club before I get carried away.”
She giggled, and they stood. As they walked to the club, he warned Crystal not to expect too much. He was just starting out playing jazz. “It’s a totally different way of playing music,” he said. “I’ve been learning everything I can from Mickey in my band. He’s a super-talented saxophone player. He’s been teaching me for a while.”
Crystal nodded. “I’m just excited to watch you play in a small venue.” She laughed. “I think it’s been more than a decade since I’ve seen you in a setting more intimate than a stadium.”
He felt happy to be sharing this place with Crystal. “The people here really love the music.”
When they walked into the dimly lit club, some of the musicians were already jamming. The youngest was at least two decades older than Damien. Most of them were probably four decades older. He’d played with them a few times before, and they welcomed him as one of them. They were black, white, Latino, and of different ages and backgrounds. But they all loved to play jazz.
He introduced Crystal, then looked around for a table.
“Do you mind sitting with the wives?” he asked. “They usually sit together. Or I can just get you a quiet table on your own if you prefer.” He paused, frowning. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think about you being stuck sitting by yourself.”
“No,” she said, smiling reassuringly, “it’s fine. I’m happy to sit with the wives.”
So he settled her at the table, where the women introduced themselves and immediately pulled her into the fold. “Fetch your chica a margarita,” an older woman ordered. “In fact, you can get us another pitcher.” He happily did so, and then, knowing Crystal was already making new friends, sat down at the keyboard. For some reason, this group needed a keyboardist more than another guitarist, and he was comfortable on piano.
He started warming up. After all the years he’d been performing, he felt adrenaline beforehand, sure, and such a buzz when he was up on stage and felt the energy of the fans rocking along with him. But tonight he felt a tightness in his chest and knew the reason for his nerves.
Crystal was watching him play. He wanted her to like what he was doing. He wanted her to be proud of him.
