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“Yes,” Sienna said softly. “And they still need a lot of work.”
“Well, if it was any of the ones I heard, I wouldn’t say that, but I know what you mean. You want to nail it.”
“Definitely.” Sienna sat back against the leather booth. “Other than playing here on Thursday nights, I do bartend four days. But I’ll talk to Vinnie about getting a few days in a row off. If I tell him what I’m doing, it won’t be a problem.”
“We’ll figure it out. I’ll give Frank a call and see what his schedule is like.”
“Thank you.” Sienna’s eyes were bright, and she was looking at Natalie as if she’d just made her day.
Natalie gave her a nod as she reached for her beer and took a drink. “I just hope it works out.” Out of the corner of her eye she could see someone approaching their booth.
“There you are.”
Natalie turned to see a young man, probably Sienna’s age, and he looked familiar, but she wasn’t sure from where.
“Caleb,” Sienna said with a slight edge to her voice, but it was barely recognizable. Natalie had only picked up on it because she’d never seen Sienna be anything but warm and inviting in the way she interacted with people.
“You were great as always,” he said with a lop-sided grin. “Hey, me and some of the guys have a table outside if you want to join us.”
“I’m good. Thanks though.” Sienna gave him a smile and took another drink, and then he was gone.
“Fan club?” Natalie asked, forcing herself to smile when she actually felt a little sick at the thought that this guy might be Sienna’s boyfriend which made no sense at all.
“Something like that,” Sienna murmured as she took another drink.
It struck Natalie that made Sienna did want to go outside and sit with her friends and that maybe she’d declined the offer so as not to be rude.
“I’ll let you go enjoy your night,” Natalie said as she finished her beer, reaching for her jacket.
“You’re leaving?” Sienna’s eyebrows rose.
“Uh, well. I’m sure you’d rather be with your friends.”
“No. No, not at all.”
Natalie stayed where she was, trying to decide if Sienna was just being polite. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. I’ll get us another round. Same?”
Sienna nodded. “Thanks.”
* * *
Natalie hadn’t felt the last two hours go by. She was definitely enjoying herself, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that this was a date, even though it very clearly wasn’t, and she had no idea why she would think that.
Yes, they were in their own little bubble in the back corner of the bar, the conversation flowing naturally, and for a long time tonight, Natalie had forgotten that Sienna was only twenty-six. It wasn’t just how easily the night was going, with no awkward pauses or missed references due to their age difference, it was Sienna’s performance too. It had been so solid that it was hard to believe that Sienna hadn’t been doing that for the last twenty years.
Natalie’s eyes drifted towards the bar to where Sienna was ordering them another round. She should probably have said no when Sienna asked if she wanted another. She was tipsy, but nowhere near being drunk.
It should have bothered her that she couldn’t bring herself to leave, and maybe it was, because Natalie couldn’t shake that gnawing feeling, of guilt almost, growing inside her.
What even brought it into her head that this felt like a date? What did that say about her? Never mind the age difference. Sienna had given her no reason to think that she might be interested.
Natalie had never felt like she had gaydar, and as she let her gaze linger on Sienna’s back, her blond hair tossed over one shoulder, Natalie hoped for Sienna’s sake that she wasn’t gay.
She was about to look away when that guy was back, his hand sliding around Sienna’s waist, but it nearly threw him off balance. He was definitely more drunk this time.
