Beauty in the Ashes

I followed Emery and since there wasn’t an empty table, he grabbed an unoccupied chair and moved it to the corner. “Sit,” he commanded.

I did as he said, mostly because people were staring and I was too damn happy to make a scene anyway.

The couple on stage finished their duet and Emery took his place, an acoustic guitar slung over his shoulder.

He introduced himself and the crowd clapped.

He started to sing and I was surprised by his voice. It was husky and warm and gravelly in places. I didn’t recognize the song he sang and I realized it was an original piece. I hated to admit it, but I was wowed. He had talent—too much talent to be stuck here serving people coffee and making food. He needed to be out there in the world trying to make his dreams come true. I resolved to tell him as much when we had dinner.

As he sang, his eyes closed, and I knew he felt the music. There was so much passion and feeling in his words and the way he sang them.

I felt a single tear tickle my cheek and I reached up to wipe it away, hoping no one had seen.

The last note hung in the air and Emery’s eyes opened.

Clapping ensued and I sat there, mesmerized. There was so much about him I didn’t know. It felt wrong to call him my friend. I knew I needed to get better about letting people in. I had closed myself off so long ago that I didn’t know how to open up. The people I had trusted, despite being good people, had abandoned me when the truth was revealed. I rubbed the scar on my arm, a nervous habit I had never been able to break.

“You okay?” Emery asked, hopping from the stage.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I forced a smile.

He looked at me skeptically but didn’t press the issue, for which I was thankful.

With a hand barely touching the small of my back, he led me away. “I’ll be right back,” he nodded towards the Employee Only door and lifted his guitar slightly so I’d know he intended to put it away.

I waited by the door for him. Griffin kept a careful eye on me and I wondered what he was seeing. Did I look as broken as I felt? My good mood had gone south in no time.

Emery appeared, smiling crookedly. “Dinner, m’lady?”

I rolled my eyes. “As long as you’re paying.”

He bellowed a laugh at that. “They have a name for people like you,” he whispered in my ear as he held the door open for me to walk out.

“And what would that be?” I forced a smile. I was determined to have

a fun dinner with my friend and regain my good mood. Maybe I’d even get to see Caelan again later. Although, I really did need to get some sleep.

Chuckling, we walked side by side, as he answered, “You’re an opportunist.”

A genuine laugh bubbled out of my throat and it felt good. “Hey, someone’s gotta be,” I countered.

His smile was easy as we walked through town. I didn’t realize where we were going until it was too late.

I wanted to speak up and tell Emery that this was the last place I wanted to be, but I knew he’d tell me I was silly and parade into the bar anyway.

My heart raced in fear at possibly seeing Memphis.

After our last kiss and my muttered apologies, I knew things would be beyond awkward between us. I’d been hoping to avoid this.

Emery led me to a high top table in the corner. Like a gentlemen, he pulled the stool out for me to sit.

“Thanks,” I told him.

Sitting down across from me, he said, “This is dinner as friends, just in case you think I’m trying to woo you.” He winked and I couldn’t help but smile.

“If you were trying to woo me, it wouldn’t work,” I assured him.

“And why is that?” He picked up a menu, scanned it for a few seconds, and put it down. His hands clasped together and he leaned towards me.