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“No, first time. What about you? Come here often?”
“No, first time. So, we’ve both popped our Wexford Hotel cherries.”
“Seems that way.”
God, she was a shameless flirt. Leah wished for one one hundredth of Georgie’s confidence. But then Callum was looking at her again. Just looking at her, a small smile curving his lips. She found herself smiling back. It felt lovely. Really lovely.
“We’re here for L—Annie’s birthday.”
“Oh, it’s your birthday?”
“Yes.”
“Happy birthday.”
“Thank you.”
The band came back on stage. “That’s my cue. I’ll see you later.”
Was that a promise? “Bye. Thanks for the drink.”
“You’re welcome.” And he was gone, walking through the crowd as they gave way for him, stepping onstage, picking up his guitar. Looking at her again as he waited for the drummer to do his thing before it was time for him to sing.
“Oh, Leah, he is so into you, and he is so hot and I am so excited.”
Leah smiled. She didn’t really know what to say. This was so far from anything she had ever experienced before. Hot, sexy, singers did not flirt with her in pubs. And of course, notwithstanding the fact that she’d never been to a pub before, hot guys did not flirt with her, ever. There was that one time when Rupert Gillings kissed her after church, pulling her behind the big oak tree in the churchyard. He just grabbed her and did it. She hadn’t enjoyed it; it was wet and sloppy and their teeth had bashed together uncomfortably. Then he told her he was going to marry her. She was fourteen years old, it was her first kiss, it was deeply unpleasant. She’d laughed in his face, which had offended him enough to make him leave her alone.
Leah looked at Callum and she felt, in her core, that kissing him would be far from sloppy, or wet, or unpleasant. She felt a flush stain her cheeks at the very idea of it. She took a sip of the wine he’d bought her, her lips curving in a soft smile.
They enjoyed the rest of the set, dancing along to the beat, drinking more wine. Leah was feeling a really pleasant buzz; from the wine, from the music, from just being out. As the band finished the encore, the crowd cheered and clapped. Then Callum, one hand on the microphone, turned back and said something to the drummer. Leah could see him roll his eyes and grin, then nod. Callum turned back to the microphone. “One more thing, guys, before we wrap it up.” An expectant hush fell over the crowd. “It’s a special someone’s birthday today, and I think it would be great if we could all sing her happy birthday. Come on up here, Annie.”
Leah felt all the blood drain from her face and her skin prickle uncomfortably as her heart beat painfully. Oh my god, no way, absolutely not. She sat frozen in her chair.
“Go on!” Georgie hissed.
“I can’t.”
“Course you can. You’ve had three glasses of wine for Dutch courage and it’s only gonna last for two minutes. Please, do this for me! I’m so excited for you, I could piss my pants.”
As people started looking around for “Annie,” Callum looked at her and held his hand out. Compelled, Leah slid off the stool and made her way to the stage as the crowd parted and the drummer beat steadily on the drums. She made it to the edge of the stage on shaking legs, only to realize it was too high for her to step up on. She looked around, feeling a little awkward and embarrassed, wishing she could flee back to her table. But then Callum was there, standing over her with his hand out. She put her hand in his, felt his fingers wrap around hers, warm and strong. She looked up then, into his hazel eyes, saw the humor and reassurance there, felt steadier, calmer. The security guard came over and, grinning, put his hands around her waist and lifted her onto the stage while everyone cheered.
Callum held onto her hand as he moved back behind the microphone. “This is Annie. Say ‘hi, Annie’.”
The crowd chorused “Hiiiiii, Annnnieeee!”
Leah looked down to see Georgie at the front of the crowd with her phone out, filming, beaming up at her.
“On the count of three. One, two, three.”
Leah covered her face, laughing as Callum started singing Happy Birthday into the microphone and the crowd joined in. She finally found enough courage to drop her hand as everyone sang “Haaaappy birthday, deeear Annnieeeee, happy birthday to you.” Then the crowd cheered and Callum pulled on her hand. She took a step closer to him and he leaned down and kissed her cheek, saying “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”
She gave him a shy smile. “Thank you.” And then he was walking her back to the edge of the stage and the security guard was lifting her down, to a breathlessly excited Georgie.
“Oh, that was so beautiful. You looked so beautiful.”
“Did I?” Leah asked, uncertainly.
“Yes, I got it all on video. I’ll show you.” They walked back to their table and collected their bags. “But I’ll text my brother first and make sure he’s on his way.”
