“Okay, I’m in.” Chase quickly recreated the drink, then held up his glass. “To Minnesota Maggie, finding her way in LA. Cheers.”
Maggie clinked her glass against the cup Chase was holding and then took a small sip.
“This isn’t terrible.” Maggie grinned.
Chase chuckled and coughed simultaneously. “I remember you saying that the first night we met, when I made you dance with me.”
“I guess that’s a running theme. Life with Chase Smith isn’t terrible.” Maggie said while raising her glass.
“That’s all I’ve ever hoped a girl would say.” Chase leaned forward again with his elbows resting on the bar.
“So, what’s the name of this drink?” She held up her glass to examine the contents.
“How about Maggie’s Mojito?” Chase mused.
“Oo I like that. Or what about The Chaser? Get it… Chase-er… A chaser is a drink thing, right?”
Chase chuckled. “Yeah, it is. I like that, but how about… Maggie’s Chaser.”
Maggie beamed, “Perfect. Now I know what to order every time I come here.”
“I’ll have to add it to the board.” Chase pointed to a blackboard with the different drink specials.
“Oo, I’ve never had a drink named after me before.”
“Me either, actually.” Chase smiled back at her.
Leaning back a bit, Maggie asked, “So, now that we’re hydrated, should we start brainstorming a list for your set at the Hollywood Theatre?”
Chase shook his head in agreement. “Thanks again for being willing to help me with it.”
“Well, I am your manager.” Maggie smirked. “Kind of my job.”
“Yeah, speaking of that. I still need to pay you. Don’t worry I haven’t forgotten.”
“Honestly, don’t worry about it. It’s been fun for me. You’ve gotten me out of my apartment and helped me explore LA. I think I owe you more than you could ever pay me.”
“Well, I don’t think that’s true, but I have enjoyed gettin to hang out.” Chase walked around the bar and sat on the stool next to her. “So, what are some of your other country favorites. Ya know, besides Sara Evans, who is amazing—but not sure I can do her justice.”
“Hmm… let me think.” As Maggie flipped to a new page, one of the waiters summoned Chase to a table he was delivering drinks to.
“Ah, sorry. Duty calls.” Chase grazed her leg with his hand. “I’ll be right back.”
Maggie felt like her stomach was filled with pop rocks. Just a simple touch from Chase had a reverberating effect on her. Forcing herself to refocus, she started jotting down the names of her favorite male country singers.
Garth Brooks
Tim McGraw
Dierks Bentley
Blake Shelton
John Michael Montgomery
Chase slid back in next to her. “Sorry about that.”
“Well, here’s what I have so far.” Maggie showed Chase her list. “Garth, nice. ‘Friends in Low Places?’”
