"Wanna do a duet?" Tabitha asks hopefully. That's not a good sign. If she doesn't think she can sing on her own in a setting like this, then carrying a stage performance is doubtful.
"Why don't you go first while I apply some liquid courage?" I lift my beer and take a sip.
Okay, a large gulp.
The first singer of the night gets up there, singing a rousing and off-key version of "September" by Earth, Wind, and Fire. Tabitha's got to be stronger than that.
I hope.
If not, Grayson's a dead man.
"Whatcha gonna sing?" I ask when Tabitha makes her way back to the table after signing up.
"Can't tell you. It's a surprise." She winks at me and finishes her wine.
"Another cab sav?"
Tabitha nods. "Please. I need some help before I bust out my inner Mariah."
I choke a little on my beer. Please no. Very few people have the skills to sing like that, and if she did, she wouldn't be a has-been pop star—she'd still be a star.
She puts her hand on my arm. "Just kidding. I'm not that drunk, and I don't know that there's enough liquor in here to get me that drunk. I know my limits and 'Vision of Love' is way beyond it."
I sag back in my chair for a beat, placing my hand over hers, holding it to me for a moment. "I was worried I'd have to brush off my acting skills and tell you how great you sounded, and that it didn't at all remind me of cats fighting inside a bag."
She bursts out laughing, and her hand slides down. Damn. "That's the perfect descriptor. I'll have to remember that. I never thought I'd need another cat analogy, but you never know."
"Whatcha gonna sing?" I try again.
"Can't tell you. It's a surprise."
"Oh, c'mon. Tell me."
She leans in and taps me on the nose. "You're not very patient. You'll find out soon enough."
I've lost the ability to blink for a minute as her blue eyes twinkle at me. Finally I shake my head, if only to clear it. "Lemme get that drink. Be right back."
The crowd at the bar is thick. While I wait, I pull out my phone and find a text from Grayson.
Any progress?
Quickly, I text back that I'm working on it. I don't mention that we're in a karaoke bar so I can hear her sing before I offer her a part in our show. I don't mention that I haven't yet brought the idea up to her.
I also don't mention that I don't really want to.
I wouldn't mind spending the evening, or two even, with Tabitha, and that's not something I can do if she's in the show. I've seen too many in-house relationships blow up and explode, taking down entire shows in the process.
Hell, The Edison almost went under and out of business because of Grayson's ex-girlfriend.
You should never mix business with pleasure. Ever.
Not that I'd be in it for the long haul anyway. With anyone. I'm not cut out for it, nor do I want to even bother trying. Nothing but heartbreak and hurt.
Not to mention, the only people who could possibly understand my life are people living the theatre life, which brings me back to the beginning of not mixing business with pleasure.
On the other hand, she hasn't mentioned performing or show biz. I told her I worked for a theatre, and she didn't respond at all. She didn't even bite with the auditions bit. I mean, she started to nibble until she heard how far away it was. Perhaps she thinks this is all too beneath her. Maybe I shouldn't bring it up. I can tell Grayson she wasn't interested, and then if we continue to hit it off, maybe we can hang out while she's in town.
She'll leave in a few weeks, so there's no expectation of anything serious or long term.
