He nodded, offering his hand and helping her to her feet.
*
Clay was appalled at his behavior. He had seen Katie’s text when she was at the bar and was about to text back before he was interrupted with questions from Trent. The excitement of recording some of the new tracks on the first day in the studio had him muddled and out-of-sorts—in a good way. When he realized he had left her hanging, he abruptly left the studio. The team was finished for the day anyway, Trent and a few others mingling and finishing up some loose ends. Getting behind the wheel of his truck, he chastised himself realizing he should have sent her the address to the studio so she could meet him there. Too late now. Rounding the corner and seeing his beautiful girlfriend sitting alone on the park bench across the street from the Ryman made his heart free-fall into his gut. There were tons of tourists out on a Friday night in Nashville, so she wasn’t alone, but seeing her sitting by herself, looking stunning and vulnerable at the same time immediately put him in protection mode, making him regret his lack of communication.
When they made it back to his place, he pulled both of their vehicles into the garage and carried her luggage up to the condo. She was eerily quiet, which made him uneasy.
“I’m going to change out of my work clothes, do you mind?”
“No, of course not. Can I have a hug first?”
Her smile melted his core as she walked toward him. He wrapped his arms around her, closing his eyes and inhaling the flowery aroma of her hair. She was warm and soft, her intoxicating scent sending a jolt of electricity to his groin. He kissed her temple before peppering her cheek with soft kisses landing on her moist lips. The kiss was gentle and romantic. Deep down he hoped he hadn’t ruined their weekend together.
“I’ll only be a minute,” she said pulling back from him. Her huge, doe eyes looked tired.
“Okay.”
When she was out of sight, he went into the kitchen area to check on a grocery delivery his assistant had so graciously made for him. Having an assistant was a welcome new perk of being a Warner Music artist. Opening the fridge, he was relieved to see actual food and an assortment of beverages ranging from beer, fresh milk, and bottles of water. Everything was neatly displayed, ready for the weekend ahead with his girl. Pulling two beers out, he quickly opened them and strode into the living area. An idea formed, and he took his acoustic guitar out of a case stored behind the furniture. He tuned the instrument quickly and efficiently, and started to strum lightly, a small smile grazing his lips. He knew exactly how to cheer Katie up.
“Do you want me to go to bed so you can keep working?”
Looking up, he saw her standing in the large doorway of his bedroom. She was wearing pink and white plaid pajama pants and a white camisole. Her face was devoid of any makeup, and her hair was plaited to the side making her look like a college co-ed.
“I’m not working, Pretty Girl. Come and sit. I got you a beer.”
She walked across the room barefooted, her toenails painted a noticeable bright coral. Sitting a few feet from him on the couch, he immediately handed her the drink.
“I want to play you something. I think you’ll like it.”
“Is this one of your new songs on the album?” she asked with interest.
“Definitely. It’s still a work in progress, but you’ll get the idea.” He watched her nod and take a sip from the bottle. His finger-picking started slow, easing into the romantic tune he had been working on and then he began to sing. Katie’s eyes became wide as she hung on his every word.
Drivin’ down a two lane road. Gravel flyin’, takin’ it slow.
You look so pretty. You wanna come closer with your lips and kiss me?
Lookin’ over the river at the moon and the stars, they make us shiver.
Drinkin’ in the neon lights. Stayin’ up all night.
Dancin’ real slow.
Oh, baby, I gotta know…
He took a deep breath before he started the chorus.
What would happen if…
We stayed in bed all day long, and I wrote you a love song, yeah.
What would happen if…
You promised to stay by my side, oh our love is somethin’ I can’t hide.
What would happen if…
He continued to strum the guitar lightly and looked up at Katie with a soft smile. Her fist covered her mouth, and her large eyes glistened with happiness. Slowing down the tempo, he finished playing and rested his arm on the body of the guitar.
