“Yeah, I feel like that was the song you connected to most. The others… I don’t know… I love those songs, and don’t get me wrong you sounded amazing. It just felt… kind of…” Maggie tried to delicately find the right word, “forced?”
Chase nodded slowly, looking straight ahead. Maggie hoped she didn’t offend him. His lips curved upward as he glanced over at her. “That hurts extra coming from a self-proclaimed people pleaser. Aren’t you supposed to say what I want to hear?”
Maggie relaxed. “Normally yes… but hey, maybe you're bringing out some assertiveness in me.”
Chase smiled and nodded again before saying, “Can you revert back to the people pleaser?”
“Trust me, you’re really talented. You don’t have to worry about that… Do you ever write your own music?”
“I used to… I have a whole country album, but it just felt like a drop in the bucket of the oversaturated country market in Nashville.”
“Yeah, but not in LA. You’d definitely stand out here.”
“Not in a good way. People in LA want to hear pop and R&B, not country.”
“But, what doyouwant to sing?”
Chase rubbed his hands together and studied them. “I guess I don’t really know. I feel most at home when I’m singing country, but I was trying to prove to myself that I could do more than that.”
Maggie pursed her lips. “Well, I know you’ll figure it out.”
Chase exhaled. “It sucks because I’ll never book the bigger venues if I’m just doing covers—especially if it doesn’t seem like I’m connecting with the lyrics.”
“Honestly, what do I know? I really don’t know that much about music… or anything for that matter. Sorry, I guess I was trying to help but it was an epic fail.”
“No, it’s good feedback. I appreciate it.” Chase looked up at her and tucked a strand of blowing hair behind her ear. Slowly, he leaned forward and Maggie’s heartbeat quickened.Oh man… is he about to kiss me?Abruptly, the ride stopped and Chase lurched onto her lap. Their foreheads collided.
The Ferris wheel operator opened the door. “Alright kids, get a room. Time to get out.”
Chase quickly scrambled to his feet and lifted Maggie up by the elbow. He mumbled, “Uh sorry man, it’s not like that.”
Escorting Maggie from the Ferris wheel, he asked, “Are you okay? I’m so sorry.”
Maggie rubbed her forehead. “Totally fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“I didn’t realize it was time to get off.”
“Yeah, me either.” Maggie wanted to move quickly past the awkwardness for his sake. “So, what’d you think? Like or dislike?”
Chase put his hands in his pockets, “Hated the height part.” Then he shot Maggie a sparkling grin, “but the company was good.”
A rush of warmth flooded Maggie’s cheeks and chest. They strolled to the end of the pier and watched the sunlight disappearing behind the ocean.
“This seems photo worthy.” Maggie held up her phone and snapped a selfie of them. After slipping her phone back in her purse, she inhaled the moment.Am I dreaming? This feels too perfect.
“So…” Chase turned toward her with his back against the railing and crossed his arms. “I have another show tomorrow at the same place. If I promise to play a John Michael Montgomery song, will you come?”
Maggie straightened, “Really? You’re gonna play a country song?”
“Yeah, why not? Clearly what I’m doing now isn’t working. And I’ve heard it’s important to listen to your manager’s advice.” Chase’s eyes lit up like fireflies everytime he smiled, which had a strange effect on her insides. She was standing firmly on the ground, but her stomach seemed to be riding a rollercoaster.
“Oh yeah… I forgot I had that title. In that case… I have a lot more ideas.” Maggie put her finger to her chin imagining Chase decked out in full cowboy attire and riding a horse at sunset.Am I picturing Chase as the man on every cover of every romance novel? Yes, yes I am. Focus Maggie.“You should stop by the store tomorrow… I think I could make you into an urban cowboy.”
“An urban cowboy, huh?”
“Yeah, come on… the girls will love it.”
“If you say so.” Chase put his arm around Maggie’s shoulder, and she relaxed into him.
