Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
He nods. “I’ll have to read it.”
“I’ll be interested to hear what you think. Maybe we could do a buddy read.”
“Absolutely.” He grins.
The bar is called Felon’s and has battered wooden chairs gathered around small, round tables. Patrons have signed their names and the date they were here on the white walls. Poetry and jokes sit alongside some pretty epic works of art. I wonder what they’ll do when the walls are covered. If they’ll paint over all of it and start again. Low lighting shines down, illuminating the neat rows of liquor bottles behind the bar and the stage situated against the back wall. A drum kit, amps, and microphones stand ready and waiting. No idea when the last time was I saw live music. Apart from watching the Stage Dive guys messing around at home. My life really can seem like a fever dream some days.
A charcuterie board loaded with cheeses, meats, dips, pickled vegetables, and ciabatta is set on the table. It’s all adult food. Nothing mashed or pureed in sight. And I cannot wait for it to get in my belly.
“Would you like to order a drink?” asks the waiter.
“The daquiri, thanks,” I say from behind my menu.
“I’ll have the same.” Dean shifts his chair closer to me.
“Why did you never ask me what my favorite childhood book was?” Lena loads up a piece of bread with meat and cheese. “I don’t remember you asking me things like that when we were courting.”
Jimmy’s dark brows descend. Such rock star brows. Seriously. “Courting?”
“You know what I mean.”
“Mm.” His tongue plays behind his cheek. “Good question. I don’t know. Guess we were too busy fu–”
Lena’s hand covers her husband’s mouth, ensuring that the rest of the sentence is a garbled mess. “Oh my God. This is why we can’t have nice things, Jimmy.”
He moves her hand and smiles. “That’s not true. You’re still the nicest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Aw. Good save.”
“Thanks,” he says, smacking a kiss on her cheek.
I can’t help but smile. They’re so cute together. Not that I should be looking in his direction. Stop. Bad Jude. My teenage crush seems to be slumbering at present. But you never know what might wake the beast. It is safest to just keep my gaze averted.
Dean gives the pair a long look before blinking and turning back to me. “Jude. Hey. How you doing?”
“Fine.”
The band walks out onto the stage, and the crowd cheers. In no time at all, live rock music fills the room. They’re a three piece with a drummer, guitarist, and a female lead singer who also plays the bass. The sound is sort of spare and moody with the singer reminding me a little of Phoebe Bridgers.
“Why this band?” I ask, leaning closer to be heard over the music.
“Ben liked working with Adam Dillon so much, he’s looking to do it again. The whole band wants to help and do some mentoring.” He rests his arm on the back of my chair, and his lips brush against my ear now and then as he speaks, making shivers run down my spine. “They asked me to come tonight and see what I thought of this group. As for why…they’re talented. They’ve got a good sound, and the audience is into them. I think with the right help, they could go far. What do you think of them?”
“So far so good.”
“Is this okay?” he asks, nodding to his arm and so on.
“Yes.” It’s much more than okay, if I’m being honest.
And the way he looks at me. I am such a fool for this man. “What are you thinking about, Jude?”
“I was, ah…just happy to be here.”
“Good,” he says. “Me too. Of course, what this band really needs is someone playing the flute.”
“Right?” I grin. “I could totally help them. This one time at band camp…”
His shoulders shake as he laughs. “I can’t believe you went there.”
“Please. You love it.” Our drinks arrive, and I thank the waiter and take a sip. “Yummy.”
His gaze moves past me and pauses on Lena. Just for a moment. Then his attention returns to me and my curious face. He studies me for more than a moment. “You know that Lena and I went out a couple of times way back when,” he asks. But it’s not really a question. He already knows the answer. “This is the first time we’ve been around each other for more than a minute or two.”
“Is this uncomfortable for you?”
He shakes his head. “That was a long time ago, and it’s not like we were serious. She was already in love with Jimmy, I just didn’t know it. Taught me a valuable lesson about not dating someone whose heart is already spoken for.”
I’m happy to hear him say that but can’t help myself from asking the question that’s been on my mind since last night. “And Frankie definitely doesn’t have yours?”