“Why? Because this saved us, what? Five minutes.”
“Nope.” I chuckle. “Turn around; I think you misjudged the line.”
Keeley turns and her eyes bulge as she bursts out laughing, grabbing my hand in the process. “Who are we seeing? I thought it was a little cover band. How did I not notice how big this place was?”
I stare down at our connection before following her gaze to where hundreds of people are filing in. My eyes drift back to Keeley’s awed expression as she watches the huge warehouse quickly fill up.
From the outside, this place looks tiny, but looks can be deceiving. And this “little cover band” is about to tour with one of the biggest names in the country. They’re performing tonight as a thank you to the fans that were there at the beginning of their careers. Before they wrote their own music. Music that, like Poetic Nightmares, I had never heard before this morning.
“This is Time Persuasion. You may have?—”
“Bullshit. I thought you liked older music?”
“I do. Tonight, they’re doing a covers set with a few of their own songs thrown in. I heard two of them today. They’re not bad considering their generation.” I wink and Keeley laughs even harder, affirming my decision to set this all up. She needed a break from our all-consuming world, and if I can give her even a night to unwind, I’ll be happy.
“I have to admit, I’m surprised by all of this. Byyou.”
“I had a life once. I wasn’t always Mr. Workaholic. I just had to remember how that life works.”
“You did good. Did you have help?”
“Of course I did. Tabitha held all my calls and canceled my meetings, while I ran around like I was in my twenties again, trying to find the perfect gig.”
“And you struck gold. I can’t believe we’re here. I love Time Persuasion.” Her eyes sparkle again, brighter this time, and I can’t remember ever seeing her sogiddy. If that’s the right word. It’s beautiful to witness.
“Good to know I’ve still got it. I used to be the man with all the plans in college. The guy my friends turned to for a guaranteed good night out.”
A server appears with two drinks that we didn’t order, and I glance toward the bar, finding Nick talking to a much younger bartender, shamelessly flirting without a care in the world. He looks over and waves in acknowledgment as I offer my thanks.
Keeley picks up her glass of red wine, taking a sip before smiling in appreciation. “This is my favorite. How—” She cuts herself off and laughs. “You think of everything, don’t you?”
“Didn’t you hear me the other day? I’m an observant fucker when I want to be.”
“So it seems. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“To like-minded individuals.” Keeley raises her glass to cheers and I follow suit.
“To like-minded individuals and old man’s music that you’re going to love.”
Chapter Thirteen
KEELEY
Astranger pulls me up to dance, and Sal laughs as I’m dragged into the mass of bodies pressed up against the stage, swaying their hips to the beat. I’ve been up and down all night, between dancing and sitting with Sal, all while he watches me, amused by my antics.
Time Persuasion starts playing one of their most famous songs, and I want to squeal when Sal starts to mouth along, having mentioned that he listened to a few of their hits during his “research” today.
I’d ask him to dance if he hadn’t hit me with a firm “no” the first time I broached the subject, citing that he was too old for mosh pits, once again highlighting our difference in age. Not that this is anything close to a mosh pit.
The song ends, and I sashay my sweaty ass back to my seat, collapsing in a heap beside him.
Sal hands me another drink, this time a fruity cocktail, and I thank him with a grin.
I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun on a date. And it’s not even a date. We’re four songs into Sal’s “challenge”and he was right. Not only have I knownallof the songs he asked Time Persuasion to play, but they’re amazing recreations of the original versions. All with their own emotive qualities, each one making me feel something new.
Time Persuasion have been incredible. They’ve been mixing Sal’s song choices in with their own, and I have loved every second of our night.
