Page 21 of Drive
She made herself take a slow, measured breath. “It sounds like a great opportunity.” And then she forced a smile, reminding herself that the life she lived with her crocheting, and her potted plants, and her books, and her music collection, and her dog was a contentedlife.
Jacques shrugged. “Maybe.” Then he gave a grim chuckle. “It might be a disaster, but there’s only one way to findout.”
He shifted his weight, leaning toward her before he hesitated. “I was looking forward to spending a little more time hanging out with you, but I should probably check thisout.”
She tried not to let his words penetrate, but they did anyway, leaving a trail of warmth under her skin. She nodded again. “I getit.”
Jacques reached for his mug before draining it. “You make a damn good cup of coffee,Rainey.”
Then she smiled. She had to. The compliment felt nice, but so did the way he said her name. “I’m glad you liked it.” And then, because she couldn’t help it, “And I’m glad you camein.”
He stepped around the counter, moving in front of her. “Look… uh… I don’t know how long this’ll take today, but I’m playing Thursday night at Artmosphere. My set starts at eight. I’d love it if you couldcome.”
Was he asking her out? On a date? She wasn’t sure it sounded like a date. She held her breath, remembering how her mom once told her how she used to spend all of her nights at the foot of the stage when she and her dad weredating.
Jacques reached forward and hooked his right index and middle fingers around her left index and middle fingers. She hoped he didn’t hear the little gasp that escapedher.
“I know it’s not really first-date-caliber, but I don’t know how long this studio thing will take,” he said, his fingers squeezing hers, a hopeful glint in his dark eyes. “I have gigs every night this weekend until Sunday… and I’d like to see you beforethen.”
Rainey felt her eyebrows climb. This was new. Her pulse raced, and her lips buzzed, and her fingers tucked inside histingled.
“I-I need to see how Holi’s doing,” she hedged. It was a safe-enough response. One that would give her time tothink.
Jacques brought the fist of his free hand to his forehead and grimaced. “Right. Of course. Sorry. Of course you do.” He looked so sincere and self-chastising she felt a littleguilty.
“I mean… I’d love to go i-if everything’s okay with her,” she stammered, letting her own fingers squeeze back. “I tell you what. If I can make it, I’ll see youthere.”
His hand left his forehead as a smile lit his face. “Great… great. And if you can make it, maybe we could grab a bite after myset.”
Rainey swallowed. That sounded a little more like a date. Sort of. “Sure… sure.” She nodded like animbecile.
“Good,” he said, still wearing that bright smile. “Well, I hope I’ll see youthen.”
The next thing Rainey knew, he was tugging her fingers, her body moved forward, and his lips pressed against her cheek. The innocent kiss was warm and sweet andelectric.
And then he stepped away, releasing her as the cheek he’d kissedblazed.
“Bye, Rainey Reeves,” he said, walking backward toward her front door while throwing her awave.
Mutely, she raised her hand and tried three times to make her mouthwork.
“B-bye!”
When the door closed behind him, Rainey leaned against the counter for a whole five minutes trying to process her hour with him. And failing at that, she did what she alwaysdid.
She turned toHoli.
Rainey wanted to talk, but she didn’t want to wake her sister if she was resting, so she sent her a textinstead.
Rainey:Youawake?
She respondedimmediately.
Holi:Yes,unfortunately.
Rainey: Good. I’m calling you.SOS!
Without waitingfor Holi to respond, Rainey tapped the first number in her favorites. Her second — and last — was her mom’s number. And as she waited for the call to ring through, it occurred to her — not for the first time — that only having two favorites in her contacts was kind ofsad.
