“I’m glad you like the accommodations.”
I searched his eyes. “Seriously. I’m not sure how much this section put you back, but I was fully prepared to stand all night.” I pointed to my shoes and then met his gaze again. “You didn’t have to do all this, but I appreciate it.”
He finished the rest of his drink and then leaned forward. “I’m going to be honest with you,” he started.
I leaned forward, meeting him over our shared armrest. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
A smile played at the corners of his mouth. “I reserved the section and took the weekend off a month ago.”
My jaw dropped. “Whaaaaaaat?”
“Hear me out,” he laughed, reaching over and grabbing my forearm. “Hear me out. This show sold out the day the tickets went on sale. On the rare occasion I have a weekend night off and I’m able to attend a show, I try to spring for the good seats.”
“Wowwwwwww,” I dragged the word out dramatically. “So, this date isn’t even for me?! I’m tagging along on plans you already had.”
His lip quivered as he attempted to hold in his amusement. “The way you said it makes it sound worse than it is.”
Biting my lip to keep from laughing, I shook my head. “Wow, Saint.”
His thumb brushed my skin and left me with a tingly feeling. I shifted in my seat.
“This part of the date might’ve already been scheduled, but the next part of the date was planned this week with you in mind,” he assured me, sweeping his thumb over my skin again before removing his hand altogether.
“Next part of the date?” I nodded slowly. “Okay, okay, I’m listening. You have my attention.”
“Phew,” he exhaled theatrically, wiping his brow for emphasis.
I giggled. “It doesn’t matter how I got here. I’m glad I’m here.”
He rested his arm along the back of my chair. “I didn’t have any intentions of inviting anyone with me until I met you.”
My stomach fluttered. “And what was it about me?”
His eyes burned into mine. “Everything.”
“Oh, you’re good, Mr. Anderson,” I breathed.
He opened his mouth to speak and my eyes zeroed in on his lips.
“Yo!” the DJ yelled into the mic. The interruption startled us apart. “Are you ready for the opening act?”
The crowd, which seemed to have doubled since I’d last paid attention, packed the floor.
“I have an announcement,” the DJ continued. “Unfortunately, Mad Maxine’s flight was delayed, and she isn’t able to open tonight.”
The boos filled the room instantly.
“Calm down, calm down,” he demanded, scratching the music. “Even though Mad Maxine won’t be here, we have someone special gracing the stage tonight. She’s an amazing local talent and is on her way to superstardom. Please put your hands together for the one, the only… India Davis!”
“India!” I gasped, jumping to my feet. My head whipped around to Saint. “That’s my friend!”
“Really?”
“Yes!”
As soon as India breezed onto the stage in a mustard yellow jumpsuit, the crowd went wild. I wasn’t even sure it was because they knew who she was. I was certain it was because of her energy.
She kicked things off with an upbeat tune that immediately had me moving my shoulders. When the beat dropped and she started singing, I started moving my hips as well. I glanced over my shoulder and caught Saint checking me out. Smiling, I continued to dance.
“Yes! Go India!” I yelled as she finished her set.
Clapping enthusiastically, I bounced on the balls of my feet. Saint had stood mid-way through her performance and was also cheering her on.
“Looks like you’re having a good time,” he teased. “And that would mean it looks like I’m winning.”
I giggled. “I am having a good time. But to be fair, you didn’t know India was going to be here so your taste in music is still in question.”
He held his hands up. “I’m just saying.”
“You want another water?” he asked, taking the empty bottle from my hand.
“Yes, please.”
He left and came back as the DJ was announcing Super Casanova.
“Thank you.” I took the water from his hand. “Are you nervous?”
“Not at all. You’re going to love them and I’m going to win.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I have nothing to be nervous about.”
“Yeah, we’ll see.”
And we did.
Ninety-seven minutes later, I was in line because Saint was buying me Super Casanova merch.
“You didn’t have to buy this for me,” I told him again as we were leaving.
“Something to remember our first date.”
“Tonight was unforgettable. I didn’t need anything else to remember our first date.” I put the shirt to my chest. “But I love this.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” He put his hand on the small of my back and shifted me to the other side of him as we approached the street. “I’m parked right over here.”
Once we got to his big, black SUV, he opened my door for me and helped me in. I didn’t need the help, but I found myself living for his brief touches.
“Super Casanova is so good,” I marveled as he drove off. “I don’t know why I never gave them a chance.”
“It always feels good to put people on to new music.”
“What was your favorite song tonight and what’s your favorite song by them overall?” I wondered as he drove us to an unknown location.
We didn’t stop talking about the show until we were seated at a table at the restaurant Hyde.
“Have you ever been here?” Saint asked after the waiter took our drink orders.
“I have and I know exactly what I’m going to order,” I replied, placing the menu down.
“And what’s that?”
“The deluxe chicken fajitas with extra vegetables.”
He gave me a look. “Nice.”
“You look surprised.”
“I am. I was half expecting you to order a salad or an appetizer.”
I made a face. “Why would I do that? I’m hungry.”
He chuckled under his breath. “Good. Beautiful and hungry.”
“Beautiful, huh?”
His eyes burned into mine. “Aggressively beautiful.”
I tried not to smile, but I couldn’t help myself. He had this hypnotizing affect that kept giving me butterflies. It was hard not to get entranced by him. I had to force my eyes away.
“I need to change the subject because I can’t have you over there looking at me like that.”
“And how am I looking at you?”
I met his gaze again. “Like you’re trying to seduce me.”
“Oh no, no, no, no, no.” He shook his head. “You’re the seductress. You have this way of looking at me like you’re reading me. And your lips do this little pout thing that just…” His words trailed off as his eyes dipped to my lips.
“Just what?” I whispered.
“Are you ready to order?” the waiter asked, interrupting our moment.