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“Fine.” He takes a long drink from his glass and stands. “This one’s for you,” he tells me, giving me a mischievous smile before setting off across the room.
Moments later, I watch him settle behind the piano, his fingers silently skirting along the keys. No one pays any attention to him until the first note rings out, and then I swear, every eye in the room is on him.
I don’t recognize the song at first. The beat is familiar, but I can’t pinpoint where I’ve heard it before. That is until he starts singing.
As soon as the first line leaves his lips, it hits me and it’s all I can do not to buckle over in laughter.
Abel Collins, in the middle of a crowded restaurant with countless people watching, is belting out a slower, piano version of “I Wanna Sex You Up” by Color Me Badd.
I don’t know if I’m more amused or surprised by his selection of song. Amused because, come on, he’s singing Color Me Badd. Surprised, because truthfully, I didn’t know he had it in him.
He seems so serious most of the time, like he’s almost afraid to have fun. I remember being the same way after my mom died. I felt guilty any time I smiled or laughed; like I didn’t have the right to feel okay anymore. It kills me that he carries that weight.
But over time those feelings faded for me. I’m sure they will eventually for him too. It’s like one day it was there and then, without even realizing it, it was gone. Like time magically healed the broken part of me that felt like I was doing something wrong for simply living my life.
Abel’s eyes dart across the room and find mine, a slow smile pulling at his mouth as he sings over one particularly sexual part of the song. I cover my mouth with my hand to muffle my laughter, shaking my head at him.
His smile widens and he sings louder, his incredible voice making a song I never particularly cared for, one that I feel the overwhelming urge to download this minute.
He’s completely unphased by the laughter and whistles coming from the other patrons and keeps playing until the very end.
When he finishes, everyone in the restaurant erupts into applause. Abel stands from the piano and takes a half bow, smiling like I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him smile before.
His gaze comes back to mine and he laughs. Pushing away from the piano, he crosses the room back to where our table is located against the far wall.
Bypassing his seat, he stops directly next to mine and crouches down so that his face is level with mine.
“Happy?” he asks, so close I can feel his breath on my face.
“Tremendously,” I admit, letting out a surprised gasp when he dips and presses his lips to mine. It’s not just a peck either. It’s a full blown, his tongue down my throat kind of kiss with everyone in the restaurant here to bear witness.
When he pulls back, I’m flustered and heat is spreading across my cheeks like wildfire.
“Has anyone told you you’re adorable when you blush?” He gives me a knowing smirk, then stands upright, taking his seat across from me seconds later.
“Um.” I look around the room, seeing several sets of eyes dart away the moment I do.
“Um, what?” He leans back in his chair after picking his wine glass off the table.
“I thought we were keeping this hush hush?” I question, not trying to mask my confusion over his sudden outpouring of PDA.
“We don’t know anyone here and they don’t know us.” He shrugs. “Why, do you have a problem with me kissing you in public?” He smiles over the rim of his glass, clearly sensing that I do not.
“Not at all. I’m just a little confused. You’re kind of all over the place,” I tell him honestly.
“I know I am,” he admits, his smile faltering. “But it’s you.”
“Me?”
“You make me feel...” He blows out a breath. “I don’t know how to explain it that would make any sense.”
“Try.”
“Deep down I don’t think I’m ready. I’m not ready for a real relationship and everything that goes with it. Sometimes I wonder if I ever will be. But when I look at you, when I’m with you, things just feel... different.”
“Different good or different bad?”
“Different good.” He smiles. “Really good.” He takes a drink. “I’m not saying I want to alter what we agreed to. I think keeping things casual is the best thing right now. But I like how I feel when I’m with you.”
