“Coming right up.” I get to work making their drinks as Andrew moves to the stage to introduce the first singers for open mic night.
I put on a happy face for my friends, but I can’t shake my sour mood, and I know it has everything to do with Josh. Well, him and the status of my life. My friends would never say this, but they must think,poor Melanie,all alone, still working at the same bar. Theynever make me feel this way, but I know I am an outsider looking in. They all went on to find their partners, their happily ever after. What do I get? The same shit on a different day. When Josh kissed me, I saw a glimpse of the other side—it’s so close I can taste it. But who am I kidding? Josh is going to write his album and leave again, and I’ll still be here. My throat tightens as a knot forms. I swallow, forcing away my internal negativity before I turn around and face my friends.
“Hey! There he is,” Liam’s voice jars me from my thoughts. Hope blooms in my chest.Could it be?
I whirl around to see Josh strolling through the door, his guitar bag slung over his shoulder. Relief washes over me so fast it nearly knocks me off balance. I told myself I was just uptight from not hearing from him, but the truth is, I’d been carrying a knot of dread all day—wondering if he was okay, wondering if our kiss had sent him running. But he’s here.He’s okay.His shoulders are looser, his expression softer than the last time I saw him. He doesn’t sit next to the group. Instead, he walks with purpose over to where I’m standing.
“Hi,” he murmurs.
“Hi.” I give him a weak smile. “You’re here. I thought you were blowing me off.”
“I’m sorry,” Josh offers, reaching for my hand. “I just needed to clear my head.”
I nod, letting out a breath. “Okay,” I whisper. “I was just worried.”
Josh catches his bottom lip and nods. “I didn’t mean to worry you.” He meets my eyes, and it takes everything in me not to grab his chin and kiss him.
I shake my head and wave him off instead. “It’s fine. You’re here now. Are you going to play?”
Josh’s mouth slides into a slow, irresistible grin. “Play with me?”
I glance around the bar; it’s crowded. “Oh, I don’t know. It’s busy in here. And I didn’t bring my guitar.”
Josh lets out an easy chuckle. “Excuses, excuses. I’ll wait till it slows down then.”
I nod, my lips curving into a smile. “Ha! Okay. Want something to drink? Coke?”
“Sure,” he replies. “I’ll go sit with your friends.”
The dinner crowd thins out around eight thirty, and it’s mostly people sitting around the bar listening to the various performers. I have been busy, but I can’t help noticing how easily Josh fits with the group. I lean against the center of the bar, watching him. He’s regaling Sophie and Jenna with tales of living in Nashville. They are hanging on his every word, and Josh is lapping it up, his grin growing wider with each laugh they give him. The conversation is flowing, he’s grinning, and it feels right—easy. My heart swells just looking at him. I wish I could be nearer—that I wasn’t stuck behind this bar. I want to be in the chair next to him, close enough to smell his cologne, to feel his breath on my neck.
“Mel, I’m heading out.” Andrew startles me.
“Okay.” I smile. “I can take it from here.”
“Wait, Andrew!” Sophie grips his arm as he passes. “Can you stay long enough for Melanie to sing a song with Josh?”
Andrew points an index finger at her. “That, I can do.” He glances over his shoulder at me, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
“No.” I hold up my hands, shaking my head. “I didn’t even bring my guitar.”
“So, you’ll sing, and I’ll play. It’ll be great. Come on.” Josh cocks his head at me, arching a brow.
“I don’t know.” I hesitate, chewing on my lip, cementing my feet to the sticky floor.
“It’ll be good exposure for the memorial concert,” Liam points out with a knowing nod.
I glare at him.
“Great idea! Andrew, you can introduce them and mention it,” Jenna chimes in.
“Ugh, fine.” I drop my arms in defeat. “But only because of the concert.”
“Atta girl!” Josh says as I come around to his side of the bar.
Andrew is already on his way up to the mic. He takes the clipboard and skims it, finding who was supposed to be next. “Hello, everyone. If I could just have your attention for a moment. Shane? Are you here? You’re supposed to be next but if you don’t mind, we’ve got a very special guest here—well,twovery special guests—that would like to sing you all a song.” He pauses, looking around. I do the same, and the guy I presume to be Shane gives an easyno problemwave.
“These two are performing a Labor Day weekend memorial concert in Rotary Park in memory of a beloved Cape May resident who passed away twenty-five years ago. Lucky you, you’re getting a preview tonight! So, without further ado, please welcome your own favorite bartender, Melanie Glick, and her old friend—youmayknow him, too—” He gestures to Josh and me in the wings with a wink. “Josh Cote.”
