Page 66 of Banter & Blushes

As much as I want to be his reason for singing, it isn’t a wise choice for either of us. In an impulse move to keep things professional, I open the cash register and pull out some money. “Here.”

He lifts a hand. “I can’t take your money.”

“Why not? You worked several hours.”

I put the money back and open the back door before closing the window. My face and neck heat up. I can’t risk being aloneandenclosed with Colt, or I might be tempted to kiss him. I exit, and he follows.

“Thanks again for your help,” I say awkwardly.

“Anytime I’m available.”

“See you later.” I lift a hand and hurry to the front of the truck.

Colt waves as I drive off. My entire body tenses when I see him in the mirror. He looks like an abandoned puppy, and I halfway wish I’d hugged him. In avoiding a potential kiss, I acted a little too standoffish.

Anytime I’m available.Wait, in what sense does he mean available?

CHAPTER 6

COLT

Spending the morning with Tiffany gave me plenty of new song ideas.

As soon as she left the beach, I went back to my condo to shower and write down all the lyrics in my head. I sat on the balcony writing and strumming tunes to go with my words for well over an hour. I could’ve gone longer if I didn’t have to shoot the video today.

Some of the lyrics pop up now and again as I move around the beach with my guitar. Mackenzie has me standing barefoot in the ocean with my jeans rolled up and a guitar strapped across my back. I drew the line at taking my personal guitar. It’s one thing to ruin a pair of boots with salt water, but ruining the tool that makes me a living is a deal-breaker.

“Now play something,” Mackenzie directs.

“What part of the song?”

“Doesn’t matter. We’re not using this sound. I want to zoom in on your hands strumming the chords.”

My fingers slide across the strings, but they produce a different chord than the song in the video. It’s the tune of the new song I worked on earlier. Mackenzie smiles, so I go with it.

“You can sing if you want, and I’ll record some wide shots of you singing.”

The words I wrote earlier today flow out like I’ve known them my whole life. Mackenzie smiles wider, and the camera guy nods his head with approval.

I close my eyes and pretend I’m not surrounded by people filming me.Everything is normal now. Well, except that waves keep hitting the backs of my legs, and the tide sucks in around my feet.

I’m not sure how long I sing on the beach, with my eyes either closed or focused on the food truck in the distance. But it doesn’t feel like long enough when Mackenzie calls, “Cut. It’s mealtime.”

I blink back to reality as the crew secures their equipment while we take a break. I’m so focused on the food truck, more for wanting to see Tiffany than to eat, that I walk right past my boots. Not until I hit the hot pavement do I realize I’m still barefoot.

I hurry back to where I left my socks and boots and shove them on. Ignoring the grittiness of sand between my toes best I can, I continue to the truck.

The scent of cheese and peppers mixes with the salty air. Once I’m closer in line, I see that they made us fajitas. My stomach growls. It’s been a while since I had some bacon and eggs when things slowed down this morning.

“Hey, Colt,” Genesis greets me when I reach the window.

“Hey,” I say quickly, then crane my neck to see Tiffany. She’s busy working with her back to the window.

“Steak or chicken?”

I turn my focus back to Genesis. “Steak.”

Tiffany reaches around her and hands me some chocolate cookies. Genesis gives us both a look. I ignore her and thank Tiffany.

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