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“Nashville?” I question, trying to hide the disappointment in my voice.
It would figure. The first interesting person I’ve met in a long time and he’s not even from around here.
“Well, Texas originally. Just north of Austin. But I moved to Nashville a couple years ago to pursue music and Colton came with me. I’ve tried to get rid of him but he doesn’t seem to get the hint. I’m still trying to convince him he’s not my manager, though he’s claimed to be since we were teenagers.”
“You’re a musician?” I question, trying my damndest to keep it cool. I’m a total sucker for musicians. I just met this man and it’s like he already knows my weaknesses. “Do you sing or play instruments?”
“Both. Well, I sing and play guitar.”
If I could fan myself and not look like a total psycho I totally would. Not only is he super hot but he also sings and plays the guitar. Dear lord, help me now.
“That’s awesome. What kind of music do you play?”
“A mix of country and rock.”
“So far so good.” I nod in approval. “Do you play in bars and stuff or are you one of those street performers?”
“Been to Nashville before, have ya?”
“A couple of times. My sister loves Nashville.”
“There’s a lot to love.” He takes another pull of beer, sliding his finger around the rim of the bottle when he rests it back against his knee.
“So what brings you to Destin?” I clear my throat, trying to seem cool when I feel like the biggest dork.
I swear I’m hanging on to every word he says like it’s the most interesting thing I’ve ever heard. Mainly because it kind of is. Not that what he’s saying is some kind of epic statement, but it’s more just listening to him talk. That I think I could do all day long.
“Vacation. We’ve been coming here every March since we were kids.” He gestures off somewhere in the vicinity of our friends. “Colton’s family and mine are extremely close. Our moms have been best friends since they were in grade school, so our families did everything together growing up, including vacations. Colton’s dad passed a few years back. I think continuing to come here is his way of keeping his memory alive.”
“I get that,” I sympathize, not even able to fathom not having my dad around.
“It’s been tough on him but he’s getting by. Mainly by driving my ass crazy.” He laughs to himself. “What about you? You local?”
“Born and raised.” I nod, taking a sip of my Cosmo.
“I would have given anything to live by the beach growing up.”
“If I had a dime for everyone that has said that to me over the years I’d be rich.”
“I guess you kind of take it for granted. The weather, the beach. When it’s around every day it probably loses a bit of its luster.”
“When I was younger maybe, but not so much now. I don’t know, it’s different I guess. For all the times I’ve said I couldn’t wait to get out of here I don’t really ever see myself leaving either. I think I’d miss it too much.”
“And what is it that you do? For a living I mean,” he tacks on when I don’t answer right away.
“Actually, Emma and I are seniors in college.”
“Students.”
“For another three months anyway.”
“That’s amazing. What are you majoring in?”
“Design.” I shrug. “Emma’s dad buys and sells a ton of real estate and he’s agreed to cut me and Emma in once we graduate. Let us design his renovation projects. His only stipulation is that we, well really she, went to college first.”
“That’s pretty cool of him.”
“I thought so.” I shrug. “So how long are you and Colton in town for?”
