Page 73 of Banter & Blushes

I pour two glasses of tea and fix my plate. We sit beside each other at the counter because I don’t have a table. My house is small and open-concept. Needless to say, I do most of my entertaining outside and from a food truck.

“This is a nice little place.” He glances around the room. “Very bright.”

“You know I like bright.”

“I do.” He smiles at me, then takes a bite.

“When do you think your video will be on TV?”

“I’m not sure. I’ve heard the song on the radio a few times already, so I hope they get it out soon.”

“How many songs do you have solo?”

He stares at the ceiling, thinking. “Let’s just say plenty for an album.”

“Cool.”

“What about you? How long have you had the food truck?”

“A few years.” I take a sip of tea.

“Do you like it?”

“I do.” I smile. “I want to get more into catering. That’s why I took the job with the production company.”

“I’m glad you did.” He brushes his hand over mine and gives it a quick squeeze. My insides flutter. He did this often when we were on a date. It’s something so small I’d forgotten but so familiar, I remember in an instant.

“Thanks.” I focus on my plate and eat a few bites.

This is not a date. We did just make out on my bathroom floor. Still, this is NOT a date.

“Do you like living here?”

“Yeah.” I waver my head. “I mean it’s a one-bedroom and gets loud during the peak seasons, but?—”

He laughs. “I mean the beach.”

“Oh right. I do.”

It’s beginning to feel a lot like a first date. I forgot how much time has passed in our lives. We know so much about each other, but there’s a lot we don’t know too.

“What about you? I assume you live in Nashville.”

“Right now I live in a van down by the river.”

“Huh?”

He laughs. “Just kidding. But it felt like that when I was touring with The Rolling Rocks.”

“I always thought that was a cheesy name. No offense.”

“None taken. It wasn’t my band. I came in after a guitar player left.”

“But you live in Nashville?”

“Maybe.”

I cock my head in question.

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