Page 107 of Love Felt Like This

I slide my hand from her waist down to the small of her back as we’re escorted to our table. But when we round the corner, three familiar grinning faces are already seated.

Poe, Dom, and Royce recline in their chairs, fitted in similar black suits. Poe wears a stylish houndstooth vest underneath his jacket, Royce’s bowtie is somehow already a little loose, and Dom’s suit looks untouched and crisp as he quietly sips a fizzing soda.

“Man, we have to sit next to you guys all night?” I joke, making Dom beam and Royce cup his hand around his mouth and croon, “Boo!”

“You’re one to talk,” Poe says, glancing at my baby blue suit with a cackle. “You look like 1970s prom Barbie or something.”

“Ken,” Royce corrects.

“Whatever,” Poe says through laughter. “But, Lord above, who is this spectacular beauty?”

My hand grips Beverly’s silky dress. “This is my…” My date? My fake girlfriend? “Beverly.”

My Beverly?

Nobody else catches my slipup except Dom. That’s the thing about drummers. From the back, they see it all. He smirks.

“Well, hello there, Beverly,” Poe says, leaning an elbow on the table.

“Beverly, this is my band. They record with me, tour with me…couldn’t do any of this without them. That’s Poe, Royce, and Dom.” I point to each man as I introduce them. They give accompanying waves or chin nods.

“We’re the secret to his success,” Poe jokes, holding out a palm to her.

Beverly shakes his hand with a smile. “Nice to meet you.” She squints. “Poe?”

“Yes, darling.” He’s already dazzled by her. I can’t blame him.

“Your date is the only reason we were invited,” Royce adds. “We’re here to keep an eye on him.”

“I’m sure that’s not true,” Beverly says. “They also needed someone to make sure he looks like he has friends. Oh wait…or is that my job?”

All three of them bust out laughing, and I can’t hide my grin either.

Beverly is in her element, entertaining the few, not the many. Cameras aren’t her forte. But people she can entertain with ease.

“So, Beverly, how has our Griffin been faring up in the mountains?” Poe continues.

“Complains about the cold a lot.”

I scoff. “I do not.”

“Oh, I bet you do,” Royce counters with a laugh.

Poe sighs wistfully. “Who knew that little variety show would lead to such a cozy winter vacation, eh?”

“Love at first sight?” Royce asks.

“At first squawk, really,” Beverly chimes in.

“You two definitely use that bird puppet in bed, right?” Poe asks, pumping his eyebrows up and down impishly.

Dom and I kick him under the table.

“Is there a bathroom around here?” Beverly asks, slapping her thighs in the universal sign for Well, this was fun but awkward.

Someone wandering around in a nice vest overhears her and gestures for Beverly to follow him. I’m left behind with three men staring me down.

“So,” Poe says, tonguing his cheek.