Page 79 of She's Like the Wind

“You lost that lovin’ feeling’ fromTop Gun,” someone shouted.

“Ten Things I Hate About You,” another announced.

Just then, a street musician began to strum ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You’ with a jazz flair; the sound drifting into the night like a wink from the city itself.

Someone clapped.

A breeze stirred.

It smelled like magnolias, heat,andhim.

“What do you want, Gage?” I asked as I feigned exasperation while my heart wentthump, thump, thump.

He rocked on his heels. “I want to take you to Jazz Fest.”

“Why?”

“’Cause the Stones are headlining and ‘cause,” hepaused and then sang loudly like Heath Ledger did with a hand on his heart, “I love you, baby.”

Thump. Thump. Thump.

“Oh, pretty baby.”

A woman walking past called out, “If you don’t say yes, I will.”

I straightened and crossed my arms, making an effort not to smile.

He was so damn cute and so freaking unfair!

How am I supposed to resist this version of Gage?

“What do you say, baby?” Gage’s face was wreathed in a mischievous smile.

“I’m not promising anything,” I replied snootily.

“Didn’t ask for a promise, baby,” he countered, amused. “Just want your company while we listen to Jagger, and eat a meal, drink a little somethin’.”

His grin turned slow.

Honest.

Sexy.

Gage.

A tourist passed behind him and patted Gage’s shoulder. “She’s gotta say yes, man!”

I shook my head. It was getting harder to keep a stern face. A hard heart. Walls. “You’re pushing it.”

“Maybe.” Gage tilted his head. “But I’m here. I’m showing up.”

Tears pricked the back of my eyes. He was giving me everything I had asked for without saying thewords, albeit a few months late. For an introvert, this spectacle was an effort, and he was making it for me.

I bit my lip, then sighed and leaned out a little. “What day?”

His smile softened. “Saturday. Stones go on at eight. I’ll pick you up at five.”

I gave a careless shrug and threw over my shoulder as I went into my apartment, “We’ll see if I’ll be ready, won’t we?”