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Payton almost groaned. He may have done the wrong thing by asking Robin out on a ride. He’d have to make it clear this was a friendly trip. China excused herself, saying she had to clean the exam room before she left.
Fifteen minutes later China was coming out of the back door as he and Robin drove away. She called China’s name and waved from his open convertible. He didn’t miss China’s weak smile and half-lifted hand in response.
For the next week they circled each other in polite indifference. It did help that they each had a different day off. On the day they both returned and were assigned the morning schedule together, China gave him a civil smile and went about her job with her usual competence.
Just about closing time Luke popped his head into Payton’s office. “Hey, Payton, we’re all going out to celebrate Jean’s birthday tonight. She wants to do karaoke at Ricky’s. Want to join us?”
If he had been in Chicago he wouldn’t have been caught dead in a karaoke bar. His mom and father, his sister even, would’ve been worried that his picture might show up in the society column of the paper. Somehow at this point in his life karaoke sounded like the perfect form of entertainment. Plus he needed something more to do with his time. The people he worked with seemed like a good place to start cultivating friendships.
“Thanks. That sounds...interesting.”
“Seven o’clock at Ricky’s. You know where it is?”
“It that the place on Highway 13?”
“Yeah, that’s it. See you there.”
Payton and China had finished with their last patient and he was headed out the back door when he saw China stocking an exam room. “Aren’t you coming to Ricky’s?”
“What?” she said absently, as she continued to put bandages in a drawer.
“Aren’t you going to Jean’s party?”
“Nope.”
What had happened to the “sir”? He’d been demoted. “You’re going to miss Jean’s birthday party?”
“I have a garden-club meeting.”
“I don’t believe you. Isn’t there an age limit for those clubs? You look to be well under sixty-five.”
“I’ll have you know I’m a member of more than one garden club.”
At least she was speaking to him. He hated to admit it but he’d missed their discussions. “You do surprise me. I guess Jean will get over you not being there.”
A couple of hours later Payton pulled into the gravel parking lot of Ricky’s. It was already filling up with vehicles. The red-brick building didn’t look like much but he had the correct place. A large neon sign stood on the roof, flashing the name.
He pushed a button and raised the automatic roof on the car, got out and locked it. Maybe it hadn’t been a good idea to buy such a conspicuous automobile. The car stood out among the pickup trucks and midsize sedans. A sports car fit his new found need to live on the edge, though.
Payton pushed through the glass door of the entrance and stepped into the dimly lit and noisy room. Not immediately seeing Luke or any of the women, he made his way to the bar. After ordering his first beer in months, he turned his back to the bar and watched the crowd. Just as he was getting ready to search further the door opened and China walked in with Luke at her side.
So she’d decided to come after all. His middle clenched. Were Luke and China dating? Why that would concern him he couldn’t imagine. China had more than made it plain on at least one occasion that she wasn’t awed by him on any level and barely tolerated him at work. Why he was giving it a thought he couldn’t fathom. He had no interest in her and certainly no interest in being rejected again. Even if he let himself become seriously involved with a woman... He didn’t think he’d ever let that happen. Those that stuck with you through thick and thin didn’t come along often.
Despite his conflicting thoughts, China held his attention. This was the first time he’d seen her in anything but scrubs. She wore a simple blue sundress that made her look more like a waif than a siren. But somehow it fit her. Her shoulders were bare and her hair brushed the tops of them. Luke said something close to her ear. The smile she gave him was a little lackluster. Luke directed her toward the bar.
Payton stepped over to meet them. China’s eyes darted from him to the crowded tables to the bar and back. Hadn’t she been here before? Luke acknowledged him with a smile and a nod. China gave him a thin-lipped smile and looked away.
A waving arm drew their attention to a table near the front of the stage. Payton made out Jean’s red hair. Next to her sat Doris and Robin. Luke led the way, making a passage for China. Payton followed behind. He couldn’t help but notice the gentle sway of the fabric over her high rounded behind. She had nice curves that the scrubs had kept hidden.
Payton tore his thoughts away from China and concentrated on making his way to the table. Doris, Jean and Robin had large smiles of welcome on their faces as they reached them. He shouted, “Hello,” over the din of music and melee and took the last available chair, which put him between Robin and China. Robin scooted closer.
Jean leaned over the table and spoke to China. “Thanks for coming. I didn’t think you would. I know how you feel about these places.”
Payton looked at China. She had a smile on her face but it didn’t reach her eyes. Why didn’t she usually come with them?
“Yeah, I was real surprised when she called me for a ride,” Luke announced proudly, looping his arm across the back of China’s chair. His possessive action made Payton tense.
The waitress came by and took their orders. Payton noticed that China ordered a cola, not alcohol.
He leaned in her direction to be heard. A sweet scent that suited her tickled his nostrils. Something floral. “You’ve never been here before?”
She turned toward him, which brought her lips within kissing distance. Her eyes grew wide and she stared at him. “No.”
“Hey, who’s going first?” Luke asked. His hand touched China’s shoulder and she sat forward.
“First?” Payton asked.
“Yeah, to sing.” Jean grinned.
“I’ll do it if you’ll sing with me,” Robin said, looking at Luke.
“Let’s go do it,” he agreed, grabbing Robin’s hand.
Minutes later they were on stage, crooning to a 1960s song from the karaoke machine.
Payton couldn’t resist smiling at the horrible theatrics. He glanced at China. She had relaxed and eagerly clapped when they were finished. He wasn’t sure if it was to be supportive or from relief that they had finished.
Luke and Robin returned to the table to a round of applause. As the night progressed others took their turn on stage. Payton found he was glad he’d come. This was as foreign to him as a visit to the moon would be, and he loved it. There was a freedom to laughing and enjoying himself without worrying about others’ expectations. Close to eleven, Payton decided it was time to call it an evening and told everyone at the table.
“Oh, no, you don’t. You haven’t sung yet,” Jean said.
“Yeah, everyone has to sing,” Luke added.
“Come on,” Robin joined in.
“I don’t think...” Payton looked around the table. They all gave him earnest looks not to back down.
“We’ve all taken our turns at embarrassing ourselves, so you have to also,” Doris said, with all the authority of a judge.
“Last call for karaoke,” a man on stage said into the microphone.
Jean looked at China then back at him. “I guess that means it will be a duet. China, you haven’t sung yet either.”
Payton turned to China. She went pale and shook her head.
“Hey, we have a duet here,” Doris called, raising her hand and pointing to Payton and China.
They shook their heads in unison. The man with the microphone said, ?
??It looks like they could use some encouragement so let’s give them a hand.”
China’s chin went to her chest and her shoulders slumped. Payton didn’t even have to wonder if she was embarrassed. The crowd went into wild clapping, hooting and slapping the table. Payton leaned over and said to China, “I don’t think we have a choice.”
He stood and offered his hand. At least this would be one more experience he’d never had.
* * *
China looked at Payton’s outstretched hand. Her heart drummed against her chest wall and her palms became damp. The crowd was still loud with its cheerleading. She hadn’t sung in public since she’d been in the middle-school church choir. This was not the place she wanted to start again, and Payton was certainly not the person she wanted to share the moment with.
She arched her neck to look at him. His smile was reassuring. “Come on, let’s get this over with.” He closed and opened his hand.
China placed hers in his and his large, strong fingers curled around hers. He gave a gentle tug. The crowd had died down some, but when she stood the noise level rose again. Payton led her to the stage, not releasing his grip. She gained confidence from the simple gesture. They’d hardly spoken other than about patient care, and now they had to do something as personal as singing together.
A spotlight circled until it came to rest on them. “I don’t want to do this.” Payton had to bend to hear her. She could only imagine the intimate picture they must be portraying. Panic crept through her.
“Come on, you look like you’re going to a funeral. It can’t be that bad.” He grinned at her.
Payton looked comfortable with the situation. He probably frequented nightclubs regularly and did this sort of thing often. She was completely out of her element. She didn’t go to clubs and certainly didn’t make a spectacle of herself, singing karaoke. He acted as if this could be fun. Humiliating yourself wasn’t fun.
