Chapter 4

Bailey shook out her hands in the break room. “He wants to meet.”

“And... that's a bad thing?” Noelle raised an eyebrow. Her chair squeaked as she scooted closer to the dated table.

Two weeks passed since Bailey met Jackson online. Since they exchanged numbers, he called her every night. If she missed it, she called back. She looked forward to their conversations before bed. They talked about family, friends, personal dreams of the future, and their interest in music. He was a musician. What were the chances of that?

It had been a long time since she felt comfortable talking to someone. Was intimacy building between them? Without a touch of his hand, she felt his heart as he shared about his upbringing. While he hesitated a few times, as if to keep something from her, Bailey figured he’d tell her in time. Was it too quick to give someone her trust? Was it true when others said “when you know, you know?”

Bailey's stomach rolled. “I don't know.”

“From what you know so far, do you like him?” Noelle asked.

She shrugged, ignoring the burnt coffee smell in the air. “He seems nice.”

“Bailey?”

“I guess. I think so.”

“Then suggest you meet up somewhere. Take your car so you can leave if he's not who he appears to be,” Noelle said.

Bailey rubbed at her fluttering stomach. “It's been a long time since I've had a... date.”

“I'm happy for you. He sounds like a good one.”

“Let's hope he's the same in person.” Bailey hoped with all her might.

“It'll be fine. If you need me to, text me, and I'll call you with an emergency.”

“What emergency?”

Noelle shrugged. “Doesn't matter.”

Bailey giggled. “Thank you for that.”

“So... what are you wearing?” Her eyes widened. “Wear your sweater dress and heeled boots.”

Bailey sipped her tea. “I'll think about it.”

Noelle released a heavy sigh and ran her fingers through her loose curls.

Bailey gazed at her friend with focus. “Something wrong? Are you and Lucas okay?”

“We had an argument. Nothing we can't fix.”

Bailey sat her teacup on the table. “Argument about what?”

“I don't even remember. All I know is his mother wants a big wedding. I prefer something small with close friends and family.”

“Have you told Lucas this?” Bailey asked.

“I have but he claims it's no big deal. I don't know what it is but we're not...”

“Not what?” Bailey offered a light squeeze to her friend's hand.

“Connecting.”

“Is it wedding jitters?”

“I hope that's it.” Noelle rolled her shoulders back. “Anyway, I'm happy you're going on a date. Do I need to text you in case there's an emergency?”

Bailey giggled but appreciated Noelle's concern. “If you don't hear from me, everything's fine. If not, I'll text you.”

“Deal.” Noelle went silent.

“Are you okay?” Bailey asked. “I promise I’ll—”

“Nothing. I'm okay.”

Bailey eyeballed her. “This is me you're talking to.”

Noelle shrugged. “I'll be fine.”

“How's premarital counseling going?”

Her friend raised her eyebrows. “Very... enlightening.”

“You're sure about marrying Lucas, right? What about your—”

“I said yes,” Noelle said.

“Noelle, what's going—”

“Let's get back to work,” she said, leaving Bailey in the break room.

Her eyebrows furrowed. Would Noelle tell her the truth?

****

Jackson wrung his hands together. He suggested Mac's Nightclub and Lounge for him and Bailey's date. She agreed, but should he have told her he saw her before? It never came up in their conversations. Even when she told him she lived in town, he didn't share how beautiful she was coming outside the club.

Now he stood in front of the brick building waiting for her in the parking lot. Bushes, trees, and grass framed the lot. Though he smelled the food cooking at nearby restaurants, he felt as if his insides were quivering. Why was he nervous? He felt comfortable enough with her on the phone. Her voice was sweet and sultry.

Jackson licked his lips as he paced. Bailey Cummings. Her name had a nice ring to it. He wouldn't get his hopes up.

He saw a Jeep Compass pull into the parking lot. Was that her? He didn't remember the car from last time since he looked away. He recognized her curls, tucked underneath her cap.

Bailey. Gorgeous in person and in her pictures.

She exited her car and walked over to him. She might as well have walked in slow motion. A radiant look came over her face, like a sudden burst of sunshine on a cloudy day. “Jackson?”

“Bailey?” Why did her name sound like a melody? He extended his hand.

“Nice to meet you,” she said with a bright smile.

“Same to you.”

“Have you been waiting long?”

He shook his head. “I don't mind waiting.”

Bailey grinned. Then she tilted her head towards the building, and he moved to open the door for her. “A gentleman. You don't see chivalry like this anymore.”

“It's rare, but I try,” he said. He even went further and pulled out her chair for her.

Bailey took off her coat and draped it on the back of her chair. Then she removed her hat.

Jackson took the seat across from her. “Thanks for coming.”

“You thought I would stand you up?”

“It's happened to me before.”

“I wouldn't do that,” she said.

He touched a hand to his chest. “I appreciate that. That's not a good feeling.”

“Have you been here before?” she asked.

Jackson swallowed. No point in keeping a secret. “Well...”

“Well... what?”

“I know the owner. He's a friend of mine.”

She rested her hands on the table. “How long have you two been friends?”

“Since high school.”

“I come here a lot myself but I've never seen you.”

“I've seen you before.”

She raised an eyebrow. “You have?”

“That's how I recognized you online. That doesn't creep you out does it? I promise I'm not a stalker.”

Bailey giggled. “No, it doesn't creep me out. I didn't see you.”

“You were leaving as I was coming inside. We missed each other.”

Her sepia eyes met his. “I guess we did.”

“Jack, we have a problem.”

Jackson pivoted in his seat towards his best friend, Tommy Wilkes. “I'm in the middle of something right now.”

“Jake had an emergency and can't play tonight in your place. Plus, Piper has the flu.”

“Is everything okay?” Bailey asked.

Tommy looked over and grinned. His eyes diverted back to Jackson, and he extended his hand. “I'm Tommy. His best friend and fellow band member. I'm lead guitar.”

Bailey shook his hand. “Bailey Cummings.” She looked at Jackson. “You play here?”

“Three nights a week,” Jackson said. “I thought there was—”

“The band tonight ran into severe weather and their bus couldn't make it. We’re on. Alex just got here. Where are we going to find a singer?” Tommy asked.

Jackson excused himself from the table. He and Tommy walked off to the side.

“I told you, I was—”

Tommy held up his hand and interrupted him. “I know, that’s why I called Jake, but what can I do? We’re in a tight spot, man.”

Jackson weighed the cons and pros. Could he deny his responsibility to his band? He glanced back at Bailey, who tapped her fingers on the table. Would she understand?

“You said no matter what it takes, right?” Tommy asked. “Things happen. If we’re going to make it, we have to adjust. I’m sorry, bro.”

Jackson ran his hand down his bearded face. “I know.” He walked over to Bailey. Tommy followed.

Bailey rubbed the back of her neck, as an idea popped into his head. Their lead singer was out. It was a long shot but why not?

“You want to?” Jackson asked, gesturing towards the stage.

“What?” she asked.

Jackson motioned to the stage once more.

Bailey's eyes widened. “I-I-I can't.”

“You got it.”

“I don't sing in public, Jackson. I told you that. Like, never,” Bailey said.

He then leaned over her. “We need you Bailey.”

“Can she even sing?” Tommy asked.

“I guess we‘ll find out,” Jackson said.