“It was shitty of me to ditch you right when your family was going through hard times. I should’ve tried harder to call.”
“I told you not to. I blocked your number.”
We breathed on either end of the line for a while. I pictured Lee propped on a pillow, his red hair probably already messy from sleep, his eyelids drooping, lips parting… I said, “I should let you go. You have to get up earlier than me.”
“Tomorrow’s Sunday. I’m off.”
I sucked in a breath and said, “Can I take you on a real date? Tomorrow night, maybe? Dinner and a movie?” I deflated a bit. “You’d have to drive, though. Sorry. That’s stupid. I can’t take you anywhere unless I pay someone to chauffeur.”
“Hush. It’s okay. I don’t mind doing the driving. And yes, I’d like that. Text me tomorrow when I’m more than half awake and we’ll figure it out.”
“Is Willow doing okay?”
“She’s awesome.” Lee chuckled. “Jumped right up in Mom’s lap after dinner. I think she’s on her bed now. I should’ve adopted a cat years ago, although I think she’s the right cat at the right time.”
“I’m glad.”
After another long silence, Lee said, “I’m falling asleep. Have your three-ginger tea and get some rest. We’ll talk in the morning.”
“Good night.” I watched the red dot go off.Have your three-ginger tea.After all this time, Lee remembered my post-performance drink and reminded me to take care of myself. Maybe tea would soothe the thick irritation in my throat. And at least, it would remind me of evenings sitting in my apartment after a show, Lee nodding off beside me on the couch while he valiantly listened to me ramble on about how my performance went. The days when I had someone who cared more about me than the music.
He said yes to a date tomorrow.
That hope got me up off the bed and into the kitchen. The scent of ginger and honey was more comfort than I expected and I sat at the table, sipping the familiar brew, and letting the buzz of the performance seep from my bones.
Chapter 12
Lee
“Where are you going?” Mom asked as I fished my car keys out of the bowl. At her feet, Willow fixed big green eyes on me.
“Just out,” I said because I wasn’t ready to have Mom up in my love life. If there was going to be a love life, which I wasn’t positive about. A date didn’t commit me to anything. “Going to a movie with a friend. Don’t wait up.”
She checked me over, seeming brighter-eyed than she had in a while. “I like that shirt.”
I resisted the urge to tug at the hem. I usually wore my clothes loose, and spent half my life in scrubs, but tonight I’d opted for a snug polo in a heather-green that contrasted with the color of my hair. It also hugged the shape of my chest and stomach. At least, that way, Griffin would have no illusions of how much I was not still the twink of our younger days.
“Remember to feed Willow,” I said, heading for the hall.
Mom actually laughed. “Like she would let me forget. Have a good time, honey.”
Griffin had suggested an Indian restaurant I’d never been to, and I swung by to pick him up. If we crashed and burned, having to give him a lift home would be awkward. Although there were always taxis, if it came to that.
I’d felt a bit lightheaded ever since I woke up, and I was pretty sure it wasn’t an oncoming virus.Griffin’s going to stop touring.Of course, that didn’t mean he was ready to settle down here in Iowa. Probably he had a place out in LA and he’d move back there to ogle the surfer boys and write songs. Still, I couldn’t resist the buzz of hope under my skin.
Griffin was waiting for me on the walkway when I pulled over to the curb, and he slid in beside me. I noticed he’d clipped his beard back to just stubble and he wore a silky blue shirt even snugger than mine. Of course, the fabric showed off more taut muscle and fewer curves than mine. He looked damned fine. “Like the shirt,” I said as I merged into traffic.
“Yours too.” Out of the corner of my eye I saw him grin. “You sure you want dinner and a movie?”
That was reassuring but I returned, “Yes, of course. You promised me a real date, mister.”
“I did.” He settled back in his seat. “It’s been a long time since I sat in a restaurant hiding a stiffy, and hoping my date doesn’t want a refill of their coffee.”
“I don’t drink much coffee after five. But you also promised me a movie.”
“How bad do I get to be in a dark theater?”
I thwapped his thigh with the back of my hand. “Control, Mr. Rock Star. I’m a licensed health professional and I can’t afford to get arrested.”
