Listen to Me

“Break a leg, J.”

Kevin leads us to a table in the center of the room. When my waitress arrives, I tell her to bring anything these two want, on the house, for the whole evening.

“You don’t have to do that,” Kevin says after the server leaves.

“My pleasure.” I smooth the tablecloth with my hand and glance over at Jake as he pulls his guitar out of its case and strums it, making sure it’s in tune. He talks to his waitress, then settles on the stool, adjusts the mic, and strums the guitar again.

“Good evening,” he begins and smiles at the crowd. But this smile is different than the one he aimed at me earlier. It’s detached. Professional.

He has his game face on.

Fascinating.

“This is my first night here at Seduction. I’m Jake Keller.” He aims a look at Christina, who offers him a thumbs-up and an encouraging smile. “Be gentle.”

The audience laughs, and suddenly there is whispering and commotion. “Aren’t you Jake Knox?” someone calls out from the crowd.

Jake’s smile never falters. “I used to be. But tonight, I’m just some guy with a guitar.”

And with that he breaks into a fast-tempo cover song. His voice is smooth as caramel, with just a little rasp at the right spot.

It’s sex.

“What’s up?” I ask Christina.

“I just wanted to say thank you for giving Jake this job. It may seem like a little thing, but it’s important to him.” She watches him with love-filled eyes. “It’s important to me.”

Kevin takes his wife’s hand and kisses it tenderly.

“I was shocked when he walked in here the other day,” I admit.

“I bet,” she says with a laugh. “You’d never know he’s nervous, would you?”

I turn my gaze to Jake and watch him play with confidence, his fingers moving effortlessly over the guitar, as though it’s simply part of him. The notes coming from his mouth are perfect and smooth.

“No,” I reply.

“He’s terrified,” she replies seriously. “He hasn’t performed in front of people in five years.”

“I saw him the other night.” I frown at Christina. “He sang at an open-mic night. I was looking for talent to fill the position.”

“He sang one song,” Christina says with a nod. “And that was the first time, which made him crave it again, I think. Although he won’t admit it.”

“Didn’t I hear that he still writes and produces?”

“Yes, but singing for a room of four of his friends is very different from this,” she says. “So, thanks.”

“My pleasure.” My eyes scan the room, happy to see the customers enjoying their food, singing along with Jake, smiling at him. “He’s made my customers very happy.”

“And he’ll continue to do so,” Kevin says, earning a kiss on the cheek from Christina.

“How did you two meet?”

“I had an accident a few years ago and needed physical therapy,” Christina replies.

“And I was her therapist,” Kevin finishes for her.

I grin. “That’s pretty awesome. And romantic.”

“We think so too.”

Just then Jake switches to a slower song. My favorite song. It’s currently sitting on the charts, and every time I hear it, my heart simply weeps.

Because it’s all about everything that I’m convinced I’ll never have.

Jake holds my gaze as he sings the song, never looking away, and I can’t tear my eyes away from his either. Christina is talking next to me, but I don’t hear her.

It’s only him.

When he gets to the chorus, asking me to love him like I do, I blink and look down, then make myself stand, excuse myself and hurry to the bathroom, lock the door, and lean my hands on the countertop, staring at myself in the mirror.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

At least my makeup is holding up. Smoky eyes stare back at me. I watch my glossy lips as I begin my pep talk.

“You are not attracted to musicians. You are going to find a CPA, or a real estate agent or a lawyer, with no tattoos. He will be devoted to you. He does not have women throwing themselves at him. He’s a good guy. Sure, he has a great smile because I have a thing about teeth, but he’s not a cheater. And he doesn’t lie. And he will be proud of you and you will be his priority.

“Granted, he might be a little boring, but boring is good. He’s not a manipulator, and he would kill himself before he would ever hurt you.”

I stand straight and smooth my hands down my leather vest and over my skinny jeans at my hips, then jab my finger at my reflection.

“Jake is not hot. You’re not interested. Get over it.”

I give myself the stink eye before marching out of the bathroom, with my new armor intact.

SEDUCTION IS PRETTY much empty now. Jake’s set went amazingly well, and if he’s willing, we’ll keep him on as the weekend performer for as long as he wants it.

I can hear some movement in the kitchen, most likely the chef prepping for tomorrow. The last of the servers just left, with wide smiles on their faces thanks to tonight’s heavy tippers. Cami, Riley, and Mia left right after Jake finished, and Kat just walked out the door.

“Buy you a drink?”

I spin, surprised to see that Jake is still here.

“I told you no before. Are you senile?”

“It’s just a drink, Addie. I suspect you’ve had a long day.”

I shrug. “I won’t deny that. Okay, I’ll join you.” What the fuck, Addison? This is so not professional! I mentally shake my head, resigned to being an idiot who can’t seem to say no.