Page 6 of Laying it Bare Backstage

At the café, I shook hands with the owner. If I had to guess, Mr.Legan was a little older than my father, since his brown hair was starting to gray at the temples.

His blue eyes were friendly and his smile bright. “Alayna will take great care of you and your date.” He gestured to the young girl – with brown hair and brown eyes – standing at the counter, who looked about the same age as Serenity. “You saw the sign, but I couldn’t lock the door otherwise your date couldn’t get in. If someone else comes, your bodyguard would tell them to come back?”

“Yeah, Jasper can do that, politely.” With that settled, all I had to do was wait and hope she showed.

A few minutes before ten, Serenity and Ivy strolled up to the café door and one of them pushed it open.

“The sign says ‘closed be back at eleven.’ That doesn’t mean barge right in.” Serenity’s annoyance made me chuckle.

“Then they shouldn’t have left it unlocked.” Ivy argued.

Serenity’s eyes locked on me and her face scrunched in confusion. “But there is a customer here. Someone in a ball cap and sunglasses.” She tugged on Ivy’s arm. Then her lips pursed as she caught sight of Jasper over in the corner just on the other side of the door. She whirled on her friend. “You are a traitorous bitch.” But her words lacked any venom.

I readied myself to give chase.

Ivy grinned. “No. Well maybe. But I love you. This was some tough love.”

“You have no idea what that even means.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“Alright, sorry, you were a bargaining chip. I had to deliver you if I wanted to see Ascher this morning. My job is done; I’m heading across the street now to hang with him. See you in an hour.” She blew Serenity a kiss and scurried out the door.

Removing my cap and sunglasses, I couldn’t stop my laughter. Her friend was hilarious.

Serenity turned to face me. I couldn’t read her expression. I wasn’t sure she appreciated my humor at her expense, so I swallowed the rest of my chuckles.

“That was a big fat lie.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yeah.” I shrugged, unapologetic. “I wanted a chance to get to know you and I thought this would be a great way to do it. I didn’t lure you to my secluded lair and Ivy knows where you are. And I know we tricked you, but you wouldn’t give me a chance last night. I was desperate.” I walked up to her and reached out my hand. “Would you have a cup of coffee with me and we can get to know one another?” I held my breath.

When she slid her hand into mine, relief washed over me. One step in the right direction. Yeah, I had tricked her into coming here, but I wanted her towantto date me.

“I can’t imagine you desperate a day in your life. And points for you; you dressed up nice for our impromptu date. If I had known Imayhave dressed differently.”

Walking us over to a booth in the back, I gazed down at her. She was stunning in a regular pair of denim short shorts and a plain pastel green t-shirt, a pair of flip flops – showcasing lovely dark pink toenails on equally adorable feet – completing the casual outfit. Her lips were curled in a teasing grin.

“No, you wouldn’t have. You would have on ratty clothes and there’s a good chance you wouldn’t have showered either. But, jokes on you, that wouldn’t have deterred me.” When she slid into the seat, I crowded in on the same side, our thighs almost touching.

Twisting slightly, her leg brushed mine. And it shot a bolt of electricity right through me. Then she cocked her head and studied me. “What are you doing?”

“Trying to get to know you. You wouldn’t give me your number last night and I wasn’t going to get it without your permission, so I got creative. It’s a good thing that’s what I do.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m not like that. That’s wrong to invade someone’s privacy like that. I know first-hand what it’s like to have that violated.”

“No. Why me?”

“Because you are interesting, smart, funny, easy to be with, and beautiful.” I tucked a strand of her curly blonde hair behind her ear and didn’t miss the slight shiver that raced over her body. “When I ran into you last night, you were so easy to be with. I could be Teak the guy, not Teak the famous rock star.”

“Let me get this straight. You like being with me because you are comfortable with me?” She raised an eyebrow at me. “I’m comfy like a pair of worn in shoes.”

“Well, no. That’s not what I mean. I like having that bit of – ”

Her lips quirked.

“You’re teasing me.” And I absolutely loved her playful side.

“Can I get you two anything to eat or drink?” Alayna stopped at our table, a nervous smile on her face. “And if it wouldn’t be a problem, could I get your autograph?” She placed a napkin and a pen in front of me.

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