Page 4 of Spring Break with a Bass Player
“Twenty minutes.”
“I have my guitar with me in my car. Would it be all right if I played for you? I mean, I’m not thewholeband but…” I look to Wells. “As long as it’s okay with your dad.”
“Really?” she squeals. “Dad, can he?”
Wells looks to me and I nod. “It’s no problem,” I assure him.
“Thanks, and hey, did you need something?”
“What? Oh, um, it can wait,” I tell him as I stand from my stool and hitch my thumb toward the door. He gives me a questioning look but doesn’t say anything as I step out onto the sidewalk.
Pulling in a deep breath, I tamp down my desire to ask Wells if I’ll ever be able to show his cousin that I can be the guy she needs. But maybe I’m thinking about it all wrong.
Grabbing my guitar, I let a smile grace my lips as I think about the feisty young girl inside. Maybe if I can impress her, she’ll put a good word in with Saige.
It might be a long shot, but a man can dream.
2
SAIGE
“Good morning, Beautiful,” a voice calls from behind me, his tone bright and cheery. “You’re looking especially lovely and kick-ass today.”
I shouldn’t be this aggravated at eight in the morning, but Bridger Cole always seems to bring it out in me.
Spinning on my heels, I turn and look at him, his ridiculously handsome face all smiles and his hands shoved into the front pockets of his jeans. The man has no right to look rumpled and sexy this early.
“Oh my God, I don’t have time for you this morning.” I scowl.
“What about later? I could take you to dinner. We can celebrate you selling a bunch of houses.” He grins, stroking my ego, the compliment turning me on even though it shouldn’t. It’s so damn tempting.
Because he had his chance and it’s beenmonths.
So why hasn’t he given up yet?
“No.”
“Come on. Anywhere you want to go,” he says, turning up the charm.
“You had your chance, Band Camp,” I say icily before turning toward my car. “And stop putting my garbage can out.”
I don’t look at him as I turn the key and back out onto the road, passing the garbage can I already know will be returned to its spot by the house after the truck comes through.
The man is infuriating and, right now, the last thing I need. I’d already buried my band T-shirt in the back of my closet, which is a shame because I actuallyliketheTin Can Aficionados. I just liked them better when their bass player wasn’t living next to me.
Being charming.
And sexy.
He bailed on our date!
…with a good reason.
Ugh, I cannot let him get to me.
Especially when every day I’m in the office is already a test of my patience.
I’d been hired on at Love Beach Realty not long after getting my certification after college. Mrs. Rowe had hired me on the spot, the spry seventy-five-year-old powerhouse teaching me the ins and outs of Love Beach even though I’d grown up here. The experience she provided was priceless, and I still cherish the years I had with her until she retired.
