He grinned and slid his hand up until his fingers grazed my semi. “I can tell. We’ll have to see what we can do about that.”
I hummed quietly. “So many possibilities.”
The server came by and said, “Will said watch your time.”
Will was the bartender. I checked my watch, and my eyes widened. “Shit. I have five minutes to use the bathroom and get back to the piano.”
Tony looked surprised. “That went fast.”
“It did.”
He slowly moved his hand from my thigh. “I’m looking forward to after the show.”
“Me too.” I gestured toward the restroom. “I better get going.”
I hurried to take care of business and wash my hands. When I got back to the piano, I noticed Tony had moved to a table close by. He smiled and raised a glass to me when I started playing. I still felt the thrill of anticipation, but there was something else I couldn’t quite put a finger on. It was like something inside me settled. As if having him there made me safe. And I hadn’t felt safe in a very long time.
CHAPTER FIVE
TONY
Staying at City Lights until four a.m. hadn’t been on my to-do list for tonight. I figured I’d have a few drinks with Michael and then head back to my apartment to lick my wounds. Instead, I was listening to Greg play the piano and sing with the people crowded around his instrument.
Not gonna lie, this was a side of him I hadn’t seen before. That night at Reilly’s, when he first met Jeremy, he’d clearly been starstruck. But he’d also seemed subdued and uncertain of himself and his talent. Now, two years later, he was poised and confident. He’d grown out his sandy-blond hair and his blue-gray eyes were alight with excitement.
It was worlds away from the man I’d met twelve years ago. Not that he seemed to remember. Or if he did, he had chosen not to acknowledge it. I would have to say something before we got hot and heavy. I’d hate for him to suddenly remember and be embarrassed.
The crowd in the bar had thinned out by the time four a.m. rolled around. Greg’s last song was a lively tune from a Broadway show I hadn’t seen, but everyone still there seemed to know by heart. With a final flourish on the keys, he ended the tune and took his bow to enthusiastic applause. I heard a fewof them tell him how happy they were to have him there. The bartender went over and shook his hand, saying something that made Greg grin from ear to ear. He collected the pile of cash from the tip jar on his piano, straightening each bill and turning them all in the same direction before pocketing his earnings.
His eyes were alight, and he was practically vibrating with excitement when he walked over to me. “Nice job,” I said. “You looked like you were having a lot of fun.”
“I really was,” he said with a broad smile. “I was nervous when I started tonight, but everyone was so kind. I’m glad I pushed through my anxiety to audition for this job.”
“You make it sound like you just started today. Well, yesterday,” I amended.
“I did,” he replied simply.
I stepped closer to him. “It seems to me you need to celebrate.”
He looked up at me, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “I like that idea. I just had an energy drink, so I’ve got my second wind.” He moved until there was barely an inch between us. His voice was husky when he asked, “Did you have something in mind?”
I rested my hands lightly on his hips. “Yeah. I’m figuring we can work off some of that excess energy you have over at my place. What do you say?”
He molded his body to mine and slid his hands up my chest. “I say that’s an excellent idea. I just need to get my coat.”
While he was doing that, I opened the app for a rideshare and lucked out that some poor soul was trying to make a buck at four in the morning because getting a taxi would have been doubly hard.
Greg returned, wearing a thigh-length black wool coat that complemented his slim body. I lifted my phone. “All set. The car will be here in three minutes.”
His brows rose. “I’m surprised it’s that quick.”
“No kidding.” I looked into his eyes. “Are you still okay with going to my place?”
His answering smile had an almost tender quality. “Jeremy and the rest of that big group of friends he’s gathered around himself all trust you. I don’t think I could get a better reference.”
My heart warmed at his compliment. At the same time, heat pooled in my gut in anticipation of what the night would bring. Just one more obstacle to get over.
The ride to my apartment took less than ten minutes in the pre-dawn hours on the streets of New York City. I saw Greg’s eyes go wide when he saw my building. “You live here? I love this building.”
