The concert is amazing. I’m backstage again, but this time for the entire show instead of just the encore. Ali is fantastic and I can tell she loves what she does. The crowd is happy to be there, to be a part of her final concert. I’m so thankful that I sucked it up and called her and am sharing this with her. I can’t find her family in the crowd, but in all fairness, my attention is on Ali. She’s messed up a few times and looks my way every time she does. I know she’s playfully blaming me. Brian throws his drumstick at her, berating her lack of concentration. She plays it off by getting the crowd to boo him.
“Thank you so much for sharing this incredible night with me, San Diego. Thanks to my family who is here tonight. They have always helped and supported me. It’s been a great tour and I appreciate all of you coming out.” She waves and skips offstage right toward me. I know I have that cheesy grin on my face that I get around her. She stops about a foot in front of me, and I can’t help but close the gap and give her a quick hug.
“You really are incredible onstage, you know that?” She smiles at me, then grabs a bottled water and drinks half of it right away. I’m glad tonight is her last concert because she’s getting hoarse and needs a break. She quickly wipes the sweat off her neck and forehead and then heads back onstage with the band. They play two more songs, getting the crowd back on their feet. I can tell Ali and the band are out there having a good time because this will probably be the last time they’re all onstage for a while or even ever again. I was surprised to find that solo artists tour with pick-up musicians quite a bit. I was just starting to like Brian, too. I hope he ends up playing with her in the future. He’s good and their camaraderie is entertaining.
Once Ali is offstage, she heads for me again.
“I know you’re not ready to meet my family just yet, but would you be willing to have a drink with me down in the lobby of your hotel after I get cleaned up?” She sounds hopeful and happy. I can’t turn her down. I nod and she smiles that perfect smile. She tells me she’s going to meet with her family for a minute but promises to be in my lobby in an hour.
Ali has arranged for a car to take me back to my hotel, which isn’t far from the venue. I have time to get presentable and have a drink to calm my nerves. Now it’ll just be the two of us. No Hannah, no Hart family. I’m nervous.
I still look good so I freshen up and head downstairs. I feel somewhat exposed because I’m a single woman in a bar after midnight, ordering a drink. I can’t do this alone so I start talking to Em. Anything to get my mind off sitting here alone. She doesn’t mind waiting. Love is just on the other side, she points out. That’s too close to what I’m feeling so I change the subject because I’m not ready to go there yet.
I feel Ali walk into the bar before I see her. I don’t understand how I know she’s close before I lay eyes on her. I turn my head and stare right at her. We look at each other for a few seconds before she breaks into a smile.
“Hi. I’m sorry I’m a few minutes late,” she says. I shake my head because I didn’t even notice. She sits down and our waitress is there ready to take her order. She orders a gin and tonic and a large water. I’m sure she’s dehydrated after her performance.
“I’m glad you’re here.” I don’t hide the fact that I’m checking her out. She’s still wearing her concert clothes, but her long hair is now pulled away from her face. She has such a beautiful face with her high cheekbones and bedroom eyes. I could stare at her forever. “The concert really was great.” She smiles at that.
“As incredible as this tour was, I’m glad it’s done.” She leans back in her chair and her shoulders slump as she allows herself to relax. “Now I get to go back to my life, but first I need to decompress.” I know Ali’s going to the spa with her mom and her aunt on Sunday night for a week.
“You deserve it, Ali,” I say. She closes her eyes, sighs, and smiles.
“I can’t wait. They have the best natural-spring baths and massages, and I refuse to do a thing. I might even have my mother spoon-feed me.”
“How was the family tonight?”
“They had a great time. It’s always good to wrap up my tour with them. They’ve been seeing a lot of San Diego. Half of them almost fell asleep during the concert.” She’s kidding. Nobody could have fallen asleep through that. We talk about the concert and she tells me her favorite things and I tell her what I enjoyed. I skip the part about how I couldn’t take my eyes off her or how I was itching to touch her.
“How long are you in town?” she asks. Her smile disappears.
“I’m scheduled to leave Sunday.”
“I’d like to spend more time together tomorrow, if you want.”
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to be. I just don’t want to take time away from your family.”
“I live with them. They see me all the time.” She checks her watch. “I do have to go to a bar tomorrow night. Not to sing or anything, just to hang out. I’d love it if you went with me.” She sounds hopeful.
“I’d like that, too.”
“It’s getting late. Why don’t you call me in the morning when you wake up and we’ll plan a time.” She’s probably exhausted and needs rest so I don’t protest. She reaches out for me and I go to her. So much for baby steps. I’m okay with that. She kisses my head and releases me. “Do you want me to walk you to your room?” I nod and we walk to the elevators, my hand tucked into hers. I am getting that jittery feeling in the pit of my stomach. I’m afraid I’ll be weak when we get to my door and do something foolish like rip off my clothes or, worse, rip off hers.
She’s perfectly respectable and gently kisses my cheek before turning and walking back down the hall after dropping me off. She looks back at me once and gives me a quick wave. I’m surprised and somewhat disappointed that she didn’t press to stay.