“No. I’ll go. You don’t need to walk any more than necessary.” I crouch under the bar and come up on the other side. “I’ll be right back.”
Gwen teases me. “Suuure. Use me to go see your boyfriend.”
I smirk, then start to pick my way around people, tables, and chairs. I head to the rear of the bar where Latson’s office is located. As I knock and hear “It’s open,” I realize I’ve never been inside before.
I crack the door and peek around the corner. “Hey.”
Latson looks up and smiles. “Hey.”
He’s wearing his glasses, and my stomach flutters. My gaze leaves him for a moment to look around the office. It’s full of the standard stuff, including the calendar for this month’s entertainment written on a big white board. My eyes study the concert posters hanging on the walls until they land on handmade drawings pinned to a bulletin board behind the desk.
“Did Oliver make those?” I step inside and shut the door behind me.
Latson looks over his shoulder. “Yeah.” He faces me again. “Did you come to look at my art gallery?”
“No, but it’s a perk.” I walk over to get a better view. I hesitate when I get next to his desk. I’m not sure if I should go behind it. “Do you care if I –”
“Get over here.”
He stands and reaches for me, pulling me into his arms. “I’ve been dying to touch you all night.”
I wrap my arms around his waist and snuggle against him. “This violates the five foot rule.”
“It’s three, and I don’t see you complaining.”
I stifle a laugh. He runs his thumbs over my lower back as we stand pressed together. I take a deep breath and inhale his scent. “Why do you smell so damn good?” I ask. “It’s distracting.”
He kisses the top of my head. “I think you answered your own question.”
His hand leaves my waist and removes his glasses, then appears under my chin. I lift my face toward him and as soon as our eyes meet, he lowers his mouth to mine. It’s a heated kiss, like we haven’t seen each other in days, and I’m quickly forgetting the reason I came in here. It doesn’t take long before his hands are in my hair and mine are digging into his back through his ridiculous I licked it shirt. Latson’s hands travel to my waist and he turns us, backing me against his desk. Gently, he lifts me up to sit on the edge, and I wrap my legs around his hips to pull him close. Just as my hands find the bottom of his shirt and slide underneath, the office door opens.
“Hey! I finally heard from –”
Dean’s excited voice echoes and I nearly jump ten feet in the air. Latson catches me before I fall off the desk and laughs. “Dude. Ever heard of knocking?”
“I’ve never had to before.” I can sense Dean’s amusement. “I see things are progressing nicely. Hi, Jen.”
I turn my red-stained face toward Dean. “Hi.” I start to stand.
“Don’t leave because of me,” he says. “Actually, I’m glad I caught you two together.”
“What’s up?” Latson asks as he helps me hop down.
“I finally heard from Roxanne. I’m in.” Dean’s smile could light up a stadium.
“Yeah?” Latson leaves my side to give his brother a high-five and pull him into a one-armed hug. “That’s great, man.”
“I got the first five months of the tour, the North American leg.”
“You’re going on tour?” I move closer to the guys. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks. I’m opening for Ariel.”
I remember the Wikipedia article and glance at Latson. “As in Ariel Allyn? Didn’t you two date?”
“A lifetime ago.” Latson wraps his arm around my waist. “When do rehearsals start?”
“Next week. I’ve got Drew on drums and Paul on bass.” Dean looks at me. “That’s where you come in.”
“Me?” I’m confused.
“I need the rest of my band.” He pauses. “I want you on guitar. What do you say?”
Chapter Sixteen
“I …” I stutter.
There’s no way I heard him right.
“I’ve never played for an audience bigger than a wedding.” I gesture toward Latson. “You want him, not me.”
“He won’t come.” Dean crosses his arms. “I asked him months ago, when I first started working this gig. I asked him again the night we played on stage. His answer was still no.”
“Why?” I look at Latson. He looks apprehensive, possibly torn. “You should go.” I nudge him with my elbow. “You love to play.”
He shakes his head no. “I have Oliver. He doesn’t need to live on the road.”
“It’s only five months, right?”
“You don’t …” He sighs. “I’m not traveling with a seven-year-old, and I won’t leave him behind. He deserves better.”
Latson’s arm leaves my waist and he heads behind his desk. Did I upset him? I didn’t mean to.
“Jen.” Dean redirects my attention. “What do you think? How does touring sound?”
“I don’t …” Again with the stuttering. I don’t understand why he would want me. I don’t know any of his songs. I’ve never performed on stage. I own a used acoustic guitar. “I need some time to think about it. I’ve never done anything like this before.”
“I get it.” Dean steps toward me. “But, keep in mind, everyone has to start somewhere.” He pulls his phone from his pocket. “Why don’t I send you the information and you can look it over? What’s your email address?”
I give it to him, along with my number. He types them into his cell. “Check your email when you get home and let me know if you have any questions. Rehearsals start in a week, so I need an answer soon. Within twenty-four hours, if you can manage it. If you say no, I need to go to Plan B.”
“What’s Plan B?”
“Begging.”
My forehead pinches. “Begging? As in begging me?”
“I really want you to say yes. You’re good, and I don’t say that lightly. When I heard you play before my show I knew. Then, at Gunnar’s, you nailed it. You can do this. You should be doing this. Not bartending.”
Wow. I’m just about to thank him for his compliment when Gwen limps through the open door. “Did you forget about me?”
Aw, crap. “I’m sorry. I got caught up.” I turn around to face Latson. “I came in here to tell you that Gwen needs to go home. She’s in a ton of pain.”
He nods, his eyes never leaving the paper in his hands. “Let me know if you can make it in tomorrow,” he says.
“I will. Thanks.” Gwen looks at me. “Maggie is covering for us, so ...”
“I’m right behind you,” I say and start to leave. I glance at Dean. “I’ll let you know soon. Thanks for the opportunity.”
“You’re welcome.”
As soon as I’m out the door I hear Latson’s voice snap. “Thanks a lot, asshole. You could have told me you were going to ask her.”
Dean’s voice bites back. “She deserves it.”
“I agree, but we just started –”
“Jen.”
My eyes jump to Gwen.
“Come on.” She waves me forward. “Maggie’s going to kill us.”
I nod and pick up my pace.
~~~~
The ride home with Latson is quiet. He seems lost in his own world, so I don’t say anything. I know he’s not happy with Dean, but it’s not my place to question him. Especially since I overheard what was said.
With nothing else to do, I stare out the window and contemplate going on Dean’s tour. I imagine accepting his offer. I have to admit it gives me the good chills. It also makes me nervous as hell. I have to be the least qualified person to round out his band. What makes him think I won’t embarrass him? I guess if I’m terrible at rehearsals he could let me go. The idea of being fired from a job I was handpicked to fill makes me feel a little leery. Trying and failing would be a nightmare.
But, then again, at least I could say I tried.
By the time Latson pulls into our building I’ve decided on one thing: to read Dean’s email. Talking in circles is useless, and I need all the facts before making a decision. When Latson parks and turns off the engine, I reach for my bag, then the door handle. “Thanks for the ride home.”
He gives me half a smile and then holds out his hand. I set my bag down and thread my fingers through his. “Thanks for letting me pout.”
“Why are you pouting?”