Love at The Bluebird

Yeah, a man who rattles my nerves by just looking at me. I turn my attention back toward him when he announces he will be performing his last song for the evening. I suddenly start to feel sad, as if this will be the last time I ever see him again, which is ridiculous, since we don’t even know each other. He starts playing the first chords of “Thief of My Heart,” and once again, his voice floods my senses and he weaves a dream around me with his lyrics.

You’re the one for me.

I’m coming for you.

I’ll steal your heart.

Run away with me.

Forever.

I keep my eyes locked on his as the song becomes a tale of broken promises and hearts. Then, all too sudden, the song is over. I look around the room in a daze, seeing everyone on their feet, applauding. Then it dawns on me that every other woman is staring at him the same way I am. It’s as if we’ve all been possessed by the devil himself. A devil we’re all ready to sin with. Seeing their reactions snaps me out of my trance, and I start to wonder if I imagined how he was looking at me.

Don’t be a fool, I tell myself, annoyed I let my mind wander for a man I’ve never even met before. I have zero clue as to what kind of person he even is. I give my head a shake and stand up to leave, telling myself that none of this matters anyway. He’s a musician, and therefore, these silly fantasies of him will stay just that. Fantasies.

“Ready to go?” I ask Valerie, who’s still looking at me with concern. She nods and we grab our purses off the back of our chairs to leave.

“Excuse me,” I hear a husky voice say, making my head snap up to confirm who I hope it is. Gavin is standing in front of me, his height causing me to look up into his mesmerizing eyes. “Call me,” he tells me in a commanding voice, handing me his card. My eyes widen in shock, causing his serious expression to change into a devastating smile. “Please?” There’s a plea to his tone that turns my insides into complete mush. He’s robbed me of my voice, so all I can do is smile back at him and nod. His gaze flashes briefly to my lips before looking back at me with apologetic eyes as people begin to approach us.

Soon, he’s lost in the sea of bodies surrounding him, and I know our moment is gone. I clutch his card in my hand and turn to leave, shaking my head at my sister when she narrows her eyes at me and starts to open her mouth to ask questions.

“Not here,” I interject with a stern voice before I turn away and search for the exit through the crowd. Just when we’re about to clear the front door, I hear my name being called. I turn around to see Shane coming up behind me, motioning for me to meet him outside. With an unfamiliar pit in my stomach, I walk toward the end of the building to wait for Shane.

“Did I just witness Gavin McNeer giving you his card?” he inquires, staring me down with inquisitive eyes. Crap, if Shane saw that, then that means other people might’ve too.

“He sure did,” Valerie answers for me, her gaze mirroring Shane’s. Both of them cross their arms over their chests, and I know there’s no way I’m getting out of this conversation right now.

“Do you know him? Because the way you two were eye-fucking each other all night long made even me feel uncomfortable.”

I can’t contain the blush that flushes up my cheeks from Shane’s words. The evening air is cool, but just the mere thought of being in any kind of sexual position with Gavin is causing me to sweat.

“You’re being dramatic.” I wave my hand out in front of me, trying to downplay this situation, and the two of them just roll their eyes at me. “And no, I don’t know him. Tonight was the first time I’ve ever seen him.”

“And it looks like it won’t be the last!” Shane breaks into an evil smile, rubbing his hands together as if he’s coming up with a secret plan.

“He’s a musician!” I sigh. “I’m sure he gives his card out to every single lady he thinks is pretty.” I dismiss the two of them as I start to dig into my bag for my keys, not wanting them to make such a big deal out of something that probably doesn’t mean anything.

“Actually, he doesn’t,” a voice comes up from behind us, startling me. I turn around to see a pretty blonde with a messy bun on top of her head and chic red glasses that match her lipstick standing next to us. She has startling baby-blue eyes that have a hint of annoyance to them. “Giving out his card to anyone,” she says as she looks me over, “is something he doesn’t do. In fact, I’ve never seen him give out his number to some random girl before. Regardless, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but Gavin wanted me to remind you to call him later.” She looks me up and down one more time before leaving without even introducing herself. Can we say rude?