Page 93 of Happy Harbor
“The concert hall only holds about two hundred people, and we are sold out. All of these people in the street are hoping to get a ticket.”
“Now what?” she asked, getting bumped into as more people handed their tickets to the guy at the door and walked inside.
“I spoke to my contact with the band, and they are willing to do a second show later tonight. Some of these people are going to be disappointed no matter what I do.”
“Do you think this is going to give us the money we need?”
“I think we are already past how much money you need. This will help you get ahead.”
“I can’t believe it. In two days. Just amazing.”
“It’s a testament to how much everybody loved your grandmother, and how much we all want you to carry on her legacy.”
She smiled. “I think you might have ulterior motives.”
“You may be correct about that. Now, you’d better get inside and find a seat before the door is locked.”
“Are you coming?”
“Yes. Save me a seat if you can.”
Josie went in and found a seat that was shockingly close to the stage. She didn’t know if Diane and Kendra had found their way inside, or if they even had tickets. For every person who came in without paying, that was less money, so she assumed that they weren’t even going to try.
A few moments later, Walker joined her, and the music started quickly after. Josie had forgotten just how much fun it was to go to a concert. It’d been many years since she had attended one.
Most of the music was very upbeat and definitely country. She found herself singing, pumping her arm in the air, and laughing for over an hour. Walker was doing the same right next to her. He actually had pretty good dance moves.
Then, they switched to a slow song. She recognized it from the radio as one of her favorites. Suddenly, Walker turned sideways and put his hands on her hips.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m slow dancing with you.”
“We’re standing in the middle of all these people, and this isn’t a dance floor.”
He smiled, his dimples very pronounced. “It’s a dance floor if we decide it is.” His hands slid farther around her waist as he pulled her closer. She put her arms around his neck and looked up at him as they swayed back and forth.
“Are you always this romantic?”
“I’m just giving you what you deserve, Josie. If that’s romantic, then I guess so.”
“I don’t understand why women aren’t chasing you down the street all day long. This is what every woman seems to want.” She had to talk louder than normal to overcome the music and the people singing around them.
“You mean a man who will move heaven and earth for her? Or a man who will make breakfast? Or a man who will slow dance in the middle of a crowd of people?”
“All of those things. It’s like you’ve been reading romance books.”
He chuckled. “My mother loved those, and I can’t say I didn’t take a peek a time or two. But that’s not what this is. You inspire me to be a better man for you, Josie Campbell.”
“It can’t be this easy. It can’t be this fast.”
“What do you mean?”
“You can’t feel all these feelings and get serious this fast. It’s more like a fairy tale and not reality.”
He pulled her closer, putting her cheek against his chest, his hand on the outside of her head. “When it’s real, there is no timetable. I’m sorry you’ve been hurt.” He leaned down and kissed the top of her head, and she stayed there, quietly swaying back and forth, her eyes closed.
Real or not, she was going to absorb every moment. For once in her life, she exhaled.
