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“Thanks. I’m not sure if there’s a band at this point. With Saul gone, I don’t know what will happen to us. The other guys aren’t talking, and I’ve been left with sorting everything out. I’ve spoken to the police and Saul’s PA, but we don’t know if anyone will want to take us on.”
Kwan wiped his mouth on a napkin, dropping it onto his now empty plate.
“Did he not have a partner? No one is willing to manage you?” It seemed strange to just be left with nobody to deal with the band.
“I don’t know, and let’s face it, we’re no BTS, are we? We’re just five guys that love what we do. We’ll never make it big, but it would have been nice to have something. Saul had this gig set up but died before he could tell us anything about it. I suppose it depends on what that was and whether it’s worth carrying on.”
I felt bad for asking now. Feeling that the mood had dropped, I scrambled around trying to think of anything to lighten the mood.
“Well, I thought you were great when I came to see you. Ziggy liked you too, and he’s a picky fucker about his music.”
He stretched out his long legs under the table, knocking my feet with his. I was tempted to move them but liked the contact, and the gentle smile on his face had me keeping them there.
“Ah, Ziggy. He’s your friend, right?”
I nodded. “Yeah, my best friend, I suppose, if you don’t count Kenny at the club. He’s the guy that works the bar with me. I’ve known Ziggy since last year. He’s had it rough, but that’s a story for another day.”
He tilted his head, looking at me with those brown eyes; I could drown in them.
“Another day. Does that mean another date, I wonder?” He leaned his elbows on the table and rested his chin in his hand, staring at me, a searching look in his eyes.
“I suppose that depends on how today goes and how long you’re here for? I don’t want to give my heart to a man for him to run away to God knows where with it.” Were we flirting? It’d been so long; I wasn’t sure.
He nudged my foot under the table with his, a playful smile on his lips.
“I won’t run far. I only live in Manchester. You could always come and find it. Find me. I promise I’d take good care of it.”
This was moving into unfamiliar territory for me. I wasn’t used to this, and I hadn’t been on a date in a while. More recently, I’d only had a quick encounter with anyone interested in scratching an itch. So this flirting, this easy banter, was making me a little, not uncomfortable, but unsure of myself. I usually relied on my looks to get what I wanted, but I didn’t think that would work with Kwan.
He seemed like he wanted conversation, maybe a friendship, and I thought I could do that. For once, someone didn’t want me for what I could give them. Like Bernie and Megan. They were just using me, Bernie for his own gratification and Megan, she’d been using me as a crutch for years, and I was only now beginning to see that. To see my sister’s flaws. For years I’d protected her, stood up for her, but she’d made it clear last time I saw her that she resented me every moment of that time.
This man sitting in front of me, with his startling blue hair, his dazzling smile and a face so finely formed it took my breath away, had offered to take good care of my heart. I know he was kidding; we were just joking around, but how nice would it be to have someone do that for me for once? I’d guarded my heart after our parents had died, but now, maybe it was time I let someone in.
“I’ll tell you what, Kwan. Let’s finish up here. There’s a couple of places I’d like to take you in the city, and maybe, I’ll see if you’re worthy of taking care of my fragile heart. I don’t give it to just anyone, you know.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to, Beau. We’ve only just met.”That cute smile of his was going to be the death of me.
He stood from his chair, wrapping the brownies up and tucking them into the pocket of his hoodie.
“Snacks for later. Now come on, I want to see this city of yours through your eyes.”
