Page 30 of Where the Dark Knelt
Drawing in a sharp breath as she raked him over with her eyes, she leaned into him with her cleavage almost in line with his mouth.
Glancing at it and smirking, he looked back up at her as she murmured in a seductive low voice. “So… don’t go running off anywhere just yet, I might get back to you, honey!” She winked.
Stepping back, she blew him a kiss, and turned back to us as we were about to be seated. “Just as well I hadn’t planned to leave just yet, the night is still young,” he called after her, chuckling.
Holly sat down and stared at us both, picked her napkin up and flicked it across her lap saying, “That my girls, is how you pick up a guy.”
Weordered the delicious lasagna, garlic bread, with red wine, and it tasted amazing. Holly wouldn’t eat the garlic bread for the obvious reason sitting at the bar. I promptedthe girls after checking the time. I didn’t want to be late meeting Will.
I neededanother quick rehearsal with him before we took our spot on stage. “Okay girls we need to head out, I don’t want to be late for my first proper gig here.”
Saffycaught our waiter Ben’s attention, and we settled the bill, then got up to leave. We passed the hot guys again. “You’re leaving us?” Holly’s suitor said.
Holly eyed him up and down.“We’re going to a gig on the beach, Lily’s playing. I didn’t get time for dessert, and I’m still hungry, you want to come?”
The guy jumped down from his bar stool and grinned at his friends. “I always want to come, baby, but if I have to sit through some music to make it happen, I’m game.”
Holly nodded, her eyes widened, and she licked her lips and smirked. “Honey, you’re just my kind of guy.” She put her hand out and he put his in hers but yanked her to him.
Her hand went close to his chest, and he placed his arm around her shoulder.
“Brett,” he informed her, his voice husky.
We squeezed into my little carafter I changed into my sandals, and drove to the beach park. Will was waiting in front of the venue for us. I smiled, and he looked awkward again when he saw thatSaffyand Holly were with me.
He walkedover and hugged me. I whispered, “Don’t worry about me Will.Saffylikes you. Don’t feel awkward about it around me.” He smiled and squeezed my hand appreciatively, then smiled and winked atSaffy.
“Areyou nervous?” He smiled but appeared concerned for me.
“Nervous? Nope. Petrified, maybe,” I admitted, pulling my lips into a twist. He chuckled, put his hand around my shoulder, and hugged me to him again.
Saffymoved in, wrapping her arms around his waist, andpulled him closer to her. His arm dropped from me, and she moved forward and began kissing him.
Poor Will looked disheveled when she was done with him, and Holly and I giggled.I think his pants suddenly shrunk, and he adjusted himself by stretching his leg out.
This didn’t go unnoticed by Holly, who said, “Wow,Saffythat’s a long tongue you have there. You’ve managed to fiddle all the way down to Will’s pants, honey!” Will cleared his throat, stifled a smirk, and turned away awkwardly.
He excused us, grabbingme, and told the girls that we needed to find Alfie. We still had to tune up and grab a quick rehearsal. Alfie was backstage with anentourage following him around. “Hey man!” he said, greeting Will. “All set?” Will gave him the thumbs-up. “Yeah, we’re good. This is Lily, who’s playing acoustic guitar with me.”
Alfie ignored me completely and began telling Will where he needed to be, and what time we’d be upbefore someone called Alfie away.
Will looked straightat me, his brows bunched together. “I don’t know the guy, but he needs to get some manners. Sorry about that, honey.”
Shrugging, I tried to look as though it hadn’t affected me. “Let it go, Will, don’t let it spoil things for you,” I said but he was still scowling.
“You’re just too nice!” he commented. “If he ignored me, I’d put him on his ass,” he told me.
The talent on show during the party wasof a high standard, they all seemed to be quite accomplished musicians and serious about their craft. I felt a little out of my league and insecure about my ability as a performer.
By the time we were up, I had changed my shoes again and amazingly, they gave me the confidence boost to push myself out there on stage. Will took my hand, kissed mytemple, and whispered, “You look beautiful and you’re going to be amazing. Enjoy it, Lily.” He made sure I was comfortably seated before we began.
I could see he didn’t want to screw this up by rushing things.Will played the intro for the song alone and the crowd cheered. I came in with my guitar.
We sounded great without words, just the music and the arrangement that Will had cleverly put together.
Will did his instrumental pieces, then I joined back in as agreed and the piece ended.The crowd was cheering for more, and Alfie called out to Will, “They’re going to let you run, you need something else.”Shit!
“Okay, Clapton, “Wonderful Tonight’?” Will asked. It was a good choice. I’ve never met anyone that didn’t like Eric Clapton’s music.
