Josh beams and immediately he’s in his element. I eye him cautiously because I amso notin my element. As we fall in step together, he whispers, “‘Wonderwall’?” It was the first one we played together—the first one we picked back up again recently.
I suck in a breath. “Okay…sure,” I whisper, uncertainly.
Josh doesn’t reply; he slings his guitar over his shoulder and steps up onto the stage. He grabs an extra stool that’s off to the side and positions both stools on either side of the mic, taking a seat. I hesitate for just a moment before taking my own seat. Josh adjusts the mic, pulling it down to his mouth.
“Hey, everyone.” He flirts with the crowd, giving them an easy smile that does funny things to my insides.
There are murmurs of hellos throughout the audience and suddenly, I’m keenly aware of just how many eyes are on me. Goose bumps rise on my arms, and a nervous shiver runs through me. I try to focus my eyes on Liam and Sophie, their amiable faces bringing me comfort.
“Melanie and I first played this song twenty-five years ago, when we were just kids. Recently, we’ve started jamming again.” Josh glances sideways at me, offering a reassuring smile and a pat on the knee. All that does is cause butterflies to swarm my stomach.
I shudder, taking a shaky breath.This is fine.
“You ready?” Josh asks, strumming his guitar.
“As I’ll ever be,” I mutter and the crowd laughs.
Josh balances his guitar on his knee and starts the opening chords. The first verse instinctively belongs to me. He doesn’t miss a beat when he joins in, alternating verses and coming together in harmony on the chorus.
We don’t take our eyes off one another for the entire song. When he strums his last chord, Josh leans in and plants a soft kiss on my lips. I’m too stunned to even kiss him back. He pulls back smiling when the crowd erupts into cheers. Regulars are calling my name, women are screaming for Josh. Someone shouts, “Encore!” but Josh waves them off. I might’ve gone for it, but he pulls the mic low to his mouth.
“I believe it’s Shane’s turn.” He winks and turns to me with a sultry grin. I’m a goner.
“Who could follow that act?” Shane shouts from the crowd.
We’re making our way back to our friends when a gangly man with salt and pepper hair steps in front of us with a business card in one hand and his other held out to Josh.
“Josh Cote, what a pleasure. My name is Jim Jones. I’m the morning show host on Lite Rock 94.1. I’d love to talk to you and Melanie about your concert sometime.” He’s beaming.
Josh shakes his hand, and I am just about to open my mouth to say I don’t think so when he says, “We’d love to! Isn’t that right, Mel?” When he looks at me, his whole face lights up. This is his thing.
I give both of them a weak smile. “Right. Sure, that would be great,” I mutter, forcing enthusiasm into my voice. “I’m sorry, you’ll have to excuse me. I’ve got to get back to work.” I duck around them, moving toward the bar.
“No problem at all—Josh and I will sort out the details here,” Jim Jones calls after me.
I turn back, giving him a wave. Just what did I get myself into?
16
JOSH
The next week goes by in a blur. Melanie and I only manage to spend two days together. Andrew is on vacation, so Melanie picked up extra shifts. Every time I see her, she looks exhausted, so I don’t even push her to play with me. I make us some food each night, and she comes in and eats it on the couch while I play through the song I’m working on for Cara. Melanie eats and then curls up on the couch, listening and smiling at me before falling asleep.
Eventually, as the hours wear on, I have to wake her up so I can go to sleep. It would be too weird if I slept in her bed. Still, these moments with her are precious to me. I’ve kissed her again, but I haven’t had the courage to take things any further. If we’re getting a second chance, the last thing I want to do is mess it up. There are so many things we don’t know about each other anymore. I worry that when Melanie finds out more about me, she won’t like who I have become. So, I let myself enjoy these moments with her, but I don’t take things too far.
It’s Saturday afternoon, and I am fumbling with a tricky chord progression when she comes in the front door, surprising me. She worked the day shift today, but I didn’t realize that the day had passed. I have been playing guitar for way too long. She kicks her shoes off by the door and makes her way to me.
“Hey,” she says, plopping down next to me and tucking her legs under her.
I set my guitar down next to me and turn to her. “Hi. How was work?”
Melanie spreads her legs across my lap and lays back. It’s intimate but feels strangely natural. I pick up one of her feet and start rubbing, working the soles of her feet with my own sore fingers from a day of playing guitar.
“Ohhh, that’s amazing.” Melanie moans, closing her eyes.
Something stirs in my chest. “You’re amazing,” I murmur.
Melanie nudges me with her other foot. “Now this one.” She gives me a sleepy smile.
