Page 59 of No Such Thing as Serendipity
My shoulders relaxed once I allowed myself to enjoy the other performers. I was still holding Robyn’s now warm hand when Emma waved from across the table. The stagehands brandished brooms as they swept up confetti, which littered the stage from the previous act.
“We need to go now,” Emma said.
I glanced at Robyn and squeezed her hand before I stood.
She smiled back at me, and I tried to ignore the guardedness in her eyes.
Backstage, after her lighthearted jokes landed flat, Emma left me alone and watched from the wings. Butterflies danced in my stomach when I heard the applause from the crowd, knowing the act before us would soon exit the stage.
When Emma and I walked onstage, our table erupted with enthusiasm while the rest of the crowd clapped. Emma went to her seat at the piano while I joined Vera center stage.
Vera smiled and said, “Looks like you two have quite a fan club.”
I shook my head. “Nah, just really loud villa mates.”
More hoots came from the group.
“You two are our final act. No pressure,” Vera said.
“Gee, thanks.”
Vera patted my back before she moved offstage.
I glanced out at the crowd and paused an extra beat when I met Robyn’s eyes before my gaze swept across the room.
“Before we show off our hidden talent, I need to explain something.” I adjusted my suit coat, thankful for the undershirt absorbing my sweat.
“When Emma brought me here, I jokingly said I’d be driving a pickup truck, sharing my feelings, and singing country music. Prophetic? Maybe. Hell, since I’ve done two out of three, I decided to go for the trifecta.”
I waited for the crowd to stop laughing and cheering.
“You might be surprised that Emma and I used to perform together when we were younger.” I motioned toward Emma. “She’s a prodigy on the piano and can play just about anything, so she’s the real star of the show.”
“Don’t let her fool you,” Emma called. “Blake has a set of pipes on her.”
“Whatever,” I waved her comment off. “We’d planned on singing Candle in the Wind until yesterday. But I doubt if we can call Elton John country, so we’ve worked hard to get this song ready for you. Please understand, it’ll be a little raw.”
I glanced at Robyn when I delivered the line. Her expression had softened, which gave me the courage I needed.
“And, um, I’ve taken the liberty to change a word in the song. I think most of you will notice the change.” I pointed at our table. “Some of you will understand why I did it.”
I took a deep breath. “One last thing. Recently, someone introduced me to a song about dancing, and I listened to it several times, but I like this song a whole lot better.”
I looked at Robyn again. As soon as I met her gaze, I knew she understood my meaning.
“Okay, I’m gonna stop rambling now, but I need to say a big thank you to everyone who’s been on this journey with us this past month. You’ve changed my life.”
I nodded to Emma, who put her hands on the keyboard. She played the first notes of I Hope You Dance as I closed my eyes and let the music wash over me. I wasn’t certain if it was a relief the intro was nearly thirty seconds or anxiety producing.
Finally, my cue came, and I sang my first words. I hoped my voice didn’t come out as shaky as I felt inside. When I got to the part about giving faith a fighting chance, I replaced it with serendipity. My table erupted, breaking the tension inside me, so I could settle into my vocals.
When I got to the next verse about love, I sang to Robyn, who held my gaze. Her eyes glimmered with unshed tears, so I had to look away. I put my entire heart into the song, as I reached deep to hit the notes that were just inside my range.
As Emma played the bridge to the final chorus, something inside me swelled when I glanced at Robyn. Though I hadn’t planned it, I hurried down the stage steps, smart enough not to jump off the stage again.
When I approached Robyn, I held out my hand.
She took it and rose to her feet. I sang I hope you dance only to her as I gazed deep in her eyes.
As I finished the last line, I pulled her into my arms. Emma continued to play the outro.
This time, I was happy it lasted almost a minute as I danced with Robyn.
It took me several beats to realize that Emma had stopped playing, and the crowd was on their feet cheering.
I backed out of Robyn’s embrace but still held her hand.
Before I went back to the stage, I leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Please, promise you’ll let me explain what you’re about to hear and why I didn’t tell you. ”
She pulled back and looked into my eyes. Her puzzled expression made me doubt my choice, but it was too late now.
“Please, promise,” I said again with more desperation.
She nodded and said, “I promise.”
Relief flooded over me as I gave her a hug and then rushed up the steps. Emma and Vera were already at center stage when I returned. Vera egged the crowd on as Emma and I stood next to her, holding hands.
“Now that’s what we call a showstopper,” Vera said once the crowd quieted. “I didn’t know you two had it in you.”
“Twin power,” someone yelled from the crowd.
Vera laughed and then held up a finger. “I have an announcement that might top Blake and Emma’s number.” She pointed toward our table. “Dana, can I have you join us on stage?”
I shot a glance at Robyn. Her face was impassive as Dana trotted up the steps.
Once Dana joined us, we stepped back and let Vera continue.
“Um, some of you might have noticed that Blissful Breeze…um…could use some TLC.” A ripple of laughter spread through the crowd.
“It’s okay, you can laugh. I know there are parts that have seen their better days.
Oh, hell, who am I kidding? There are parts that are plain old, dilapidated, and falling apart.
That’s why I’m pleased to make this announcement. ”
Vera turned around and motioned to me. “Blake, would you join me for this?”
Emma smiled and patted my back as I moved up beside Vera.
“Yesterday afternoon, I got a call from New York,” Vera said. “From my friend. Our friend Blake. Can you share what you said?”
Shit. Vera hadn’t told me she was going to do this.
I stepped up to the mic and smiled. “Uh, yeah. I was in New York to sign a contract with an equity firm in New York City, but my mind, um…more importantly, my heart, wasn’t in it.
” I avoided looking in Robyn’s direction.
“I called Vera and asked if she’d be willing to sell Blissful Breeze to me. ”
Murmurs filled the room. Still, I didn’t look at Robyn or anyone from our villa.
“I’ll be damned,” I heard Annie’s voice call out.
I couldn’t help but smile. “I’ll be damned is right.
After Vera said yes, I went to my meeting with Ironclad, thanked them for their interest in me, and declined the position.
” I motioned behind me. “And my friend Dana was gracious enough to drive here from Chicago. She’s a lawyer, and she’s worked up a contract for the sale.
We’ve got a few things yet to hammer out, but I suspect we’ll be able to close the deal fast.”
“Amen,” Vera said. “And Blake has offered me a position here for life should I want it. And I do!”
The crowd let out a collective roar.
“We’ll be releasing more details soon,” Vera said. “But we wanted to share the news with you first.”
I finally glanced at Robyn, who had an unreadable expression on her face. I took a chance and gave her a half smile. She returned the gesture. Even though I’d hoped for a full smile, I’d take it.
“One other thing,” I said, raising my hand. “Em, I have something for you.” When she stepped up beside me, I reached into my pocket, pulled out a crumpled paper, and handed it to her.
She narrowed her eyes at me since I hadn’t told her about this before. “What is it?”
I turned to the crowd and rolled my eyes. “Maybe you should just open it.”
The crowd laughed as Emma opened the paper and stared down at it. Her expression held confusion.
I smiled. “The last Friday of the month has always been our sister night. It’ll be difficult with you in New York and me here, so before I left LaGuardia, I booked my flights for the entire year, so I won’t miss a single sister night.”
Emma threw her arms around me. “You’re such an idiot,” she said into my ear. “But I love you.”
“I can’t leave everything to serendipity, you know.”
She laughed and hugged me tighter.