Blue Twilight (10 page)

Chapter 21

A few weeks later as they were lying in bed, Lisa brought up an idea she’d had.

“So, I’ve been thinking…”

“Never a good idea.” Jake grinned.

Punching his arm lightly, she said, “Funny guy. But seriously, what would you think about having a party?”

Jake crossed his arms over his chest as he contemplated. “It’s almost Halloween, were you thinking a costume party?”

Lisa shrugged. “It doesn’t have to be. I was just thinking you could use a distraction. You’ve been working so hard lately…”

Jake didn’t deny it, but it couldn’t be helped. He did, however, feel bad he’d dragged Lisa into his crazy work schedule. It was bad enough she had to be up so early to work at the bakery, but they’d been staying up late to work on
Blue Twilight,
and he could see the dark rings starting to form around her eyes. He knew what he should do was turn her down and keep working, but looking at her hopeful gaze, he knew he couldn’t deny her anything.

“Okay,” he finally agreed. “A party sounds great. But, let me take care of everything. I’ll hire a caterer. You’ve been working hard, too, angel. I worry that I’m pushing you too much.”

Trying to cover a yawn, but failing, she looked at him with sleepy eyes. “I’m fine,” she assured him. “Besides, I like working with you.”

Jake smiled at her. He liked working with her, too. Their music styles meshed well together. Plus, it didn’t hurt being able to sneak breaks with his beautiful woman.

“Well, then I guess there’s only one more thing to decide for the party,” he said with a mischievous grin.

Lisa eyed him curiously. “What’s that?”

He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “
Naughty nurse
or French maid costume?”

“Oh, honey,” replied Lisa as she ruffled his hair playfully, “I think you’d look great as either.”

Squealing, she dissolved into giggles as Jake lunged at her.

***

As Lisa adjusted her costume in the mirror, she couldn’t help but feel excited. It was fun to dress up and pretend to be someone you weren’t. The sleeves of her gown billowed around her arms, and the dress fell below her ankles. It was cinched tight in the waist and laced up in the back. The deep navy velvet brought out the blue in her eyes, and she suddenly felt every bit the princess she portrayed.

Opening the door, Jake stepped inside to check on her. “Hey, are you almost….” He stopped mid-sentence as he stared. “Wow. You look amazing.”

With a smile, Lisa spun in a small circle. “Do you like it?”

“I think we should forget about the party and stay in here instead,” he said pulling her to him and kissing her neck.

She was very close to agreeing with him before she heard the doorbell ring. Reluctantly, she pulled out of his embrace. “Time to go play host,” she said settling a tiara on her head to complete her costume.

“I challenge any man to try and take you from me,” said Jake making a swift cutting motion with his sword. With his black cape and mask, he played the part of
a masked bandit
well.

Giggling, Lisa grabbed his hand and led him down the hall. “Easy does it there, masked crusader.”

Two hours passed, and the party was in full swing. With the caterers taking care of most things, Lisa was left to mingle and have fun. She was already on her third shot of tequila for the night thanks to Hank. He was dressed as a king and therefore, “royally proclaimed” she must do a shot when he presented her with one. Lisa downed the fiery liquid and set the glass on the tray of a passing waiter. Shaking her head, she tried to clear some of the fog that was beginning to set in. After catching sight of Jake across the room talking with some of the neighbors, she set out on slightly wobbly legs to get to him.

“It’s a great party,” someone said suddenly from behind her.

Turning, she found Debra dressed in an odd half-red, half-white costume. She carried a pitchfork, but had a halo on her head.

With a laugh, Lisa asked, “What in the world are you supposed to be?”

“Good versus evil, of course.” Debra chuckled. “I figured it was a good representation of myself.”

Laughing again, Lisa thought she sounded too loud. Clearly the tequila was starting to take over. She chatted with Debra for a few more minutes before moving on to say hello to a few people who’d just arrived. As she caught Jake’s eye once more, she started to make her way toward him when she heard “I royally decree…” directly behind her. Her stomach clenched as Hank handed her another shot. With a whimper she accepted the glass, hiding it behind her as Hank moved on to his next victim. When she turned back, Jake had disappeared, and she stood scanning the crowd for him when she heard some activity coming from downstairs. Mindful of her dress, she carefully made her way down the steps. Finally reaching the basement, she saw a small group of her friends and neighbors gathered in front of the fire place. The crowd parted slightly, and she saw the reason for the commotion.

“Testing, testing,” Jake said tapping on a microphone that someone had set up. “How are y’all doing tonight?” The crowd cheered as she shot him a quizzical look. “So, as most of you know, I’m currently working on tracks for my new album.” He paused as another cheer rang out from the people crowded around him. “Thank you,” he said grinning. “I was thinking maybe y’all would like to hear one of them?” At the extremely loud ovation, he smiled and started playing the intro on his guitar.

Transfixed, she watched and listened as he performed two of the new songs he’d completed as well as a few of his more popular hits. He caught her gaze and began singing
Your Man If You’ll Have Me
without breaking eye contact. A few people whistled and nudged her, but Lisa neither heard nor felt any of it. It was as if she and Jake were the only two people in the room.

As Jake finished the song, he grabbed the microphone one last time. “That was for you, angel,” he said. “You’re my inspiration for this new album. I couldn’t do it without you.” He smiled as Lisa blew him a kiss. She didn’t think she could love him any more than in that moment. He paused for a moment and cleared his throat before continuing. “You saved my heart. I never thought I could feel this way…I-I love you,” he said looking right into her eyes.

Wait…what?
Lisa stood paralyzed as all around her, people cheered and a few teared up. It wasn’t lost on her that he’d said he loved her for the first time in front of a crowd of people. Downing the tequila shot she still held, she slowly pushed her way through the crowd until she stood in front of her man.

“I love you too,” she whispered for his ears only. “I love you so much,” she only slightly slurred.

Jake chuckled as he held her steady. “You sure that’s not just the alcohol talking, angel?”

Snorting indignantly, she poked her finger into his chest. “Do you want my love or not?”

He grabbed her finger and used it to pull her into his arms. “Always, angel. I always want your love.”

“Oh,” she whispered, suddenly speechless.

All around them, their friends began chanting “Kiss her, kiss her!”

She smiled expectantly at Jake and raised her eyebrow.

“Always give the audience what they want,” Jake whispered in her ear. “Showmanship 101.” And with that, he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her until the crowd melted away.

Chapter 22

November brought colder temperatures and a pre-holiday rush at the bakery that kept Lisa busier than she’d thought possible. By the time she got done at work, all she wanted to do was crawl into bed, but she was still working with Jake to get
Blue Twilight
finished. After a particularly busy day of making pies, Lisa yawned heavily as she let herself into Jake’s house. His record label was growing more anxious with each passing day the final track to the album wasn’t finished. They wanted to push the release back, but Jake was determined to meet his deadline. And to make matters worse, her mom had called and invited them up for Thanksgiving.

“It’s okay,” she insisted over a quick dinner. “I know how hectic things are right now. We don’t have to go.”

“No.” Jake shook his head. “It’s Thanksgiving. You should be there…we should be there.”

After poking at the food on her plate, Lisa finally pushed it away before finding the strength to say what she’d been thinking. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Jake, if you don’t want to use
Blue Twilight
on your album…”

He shut his eyes with a sigh. “Not you, too,” he moaned. “Look, it’s cutting it close, I realize that, but we
will
get it done. I just need you to trust me.” He shoved his plate away and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Lisa reached across the table and grabbed his hand, squeezing it until he met her gaze. “I do trust you,” she insisted. “Of course I do.”

***

Jake felt a pang in his heart at hearing her say that. He gave her a tight smile, kissed her hand, and got up to clear the dishes away before she could say anything else to bring him to his knees. The guilt gnawed at him while he scrubbed their plates. The pressure from his label was nothing compared to the storm brewing in his mind. Slamming the dishwasher shut, he ran his hands over his face. He couldn’t keep this up. Something had to give. He needed work to distract him and returned to the dining room to let Lisa know. When he couldn’t find her, he searched until he discovered her passed out on the couch in the living room. Worrying, once again, that he was pushing her too hard, he pulled a blanket over her and kissed her forehead gently. As he backed slowly out of the room, he hoped like hell one day he’d really be deserving of her trust.

***

Thanksgiving came, and Lisa had to admit she was happy they’d made the journey north to her mom’s house. She knew Jake was incredibly stressed, but he hid it well during their brief visit. Leaning against the counter as she dried the dishes her mom passed, she watched as Jake and Richard argued about Baltimore’s playoff chances this year.

“So, you and Jake seem to be doing well,” Karen remarked breaking Lisa out of her thoughts.

She turned to her mom and grabbed another dish with a smile. “Yeah, I just wish we could get the track done. He’s so stressed.”

“You’ll get it done, Sweets. You always finish everything you set your mind to.”

Lisa nudged her mom’s shoulder. “Speaking of finishing things, how are things for the wedding? Are you ready?”

“As I’ll ever be,” Karen said breaking out her wedding checklist to show Lisa. “You got your flight booked, right? You know how hard it is to get a flight booked around the holidays… And did you get your dress altered? You don’t want to wait until the last minute.”

Laughing, she plucked the list from Karen’s hands. “Relax, mom! Jeez, you’re making me nervous!”

“I’m being silly, aren’t I?”

“Just a bit, but it’s okay,” Lisa said hugging her. “The day is going to go off without a hitch and be great. You’ll see.”

They both turned and watched Richard and Jake growing more animated as they discussed defensive lines.

“We’re pretty lucky, aren’t we?” asked Karen putting an arm around Lisa.

“Yeah,” Lisa agreed, sighing. “We really are.”

Arriving home the next day, Lisa groaned, weary to her bones. She collapsed on the couch as Jake sat and began sorting through his mail.

Through heavy lidded eyes, she watched as a larger envelope seemed to interest him.

Jumping up, he tucked the envelope under his arm. “I’ve got to get to work.”

“Now?” she asked through a yawn. “We just walked in the door.”

“I know,” said Jake kissing her nose. “But I don’t have much time to spare, angel. Take a nap. I’ll be up for dinner in a little while.”

Too exhausted to argue, she pulled the blanket down to cover her legs and settled in for a rest. She’d been so tired lately, but she guessed it was from working so hard. As she struggled to keep her eyes open, she hoped she wasn’t coming down with something. She couldn’t afford to be sick.
I’ll have to get some orange juice,
she thought as she drifted off to sleep.

Disoriented, she awoke to a dark room. Stretching, Lisa got up and went in search of Jake. She heard his muffled voice coming from the office and raised her hand, preparing to knock, but paused. Lisa couldn’t make out what was being said, but he sounded angry, really angry. Knowing she shouldn’t, but unable to help herself, she stuck her ear to the door and heard broken pieces of his conversation.

“…completely unacceptable…” “Get it when Hell freezes over!”

She’d never heard him so worked up, so without another thought, she swung the door wide. She found him pacing around the desk like a caged tiger.

“That is complete and total bullshit, and you know it!” Jake suddenly thundered.

Lisa gasped and took a step back.

Jake looked up into her bewildered face. “Len, I have to go…no, listen, I have to go. I’ll call you later.” Hanging up, he turned to face Lisa, and she watched as a mask fell over his features. “Hey, angel, I didn’t hear you get up.”

Having already decided that enough was enough, she asked, “Jake, what is going on? And please don’t tell me nothing because I can tell something is upsetting you.”

***

Jake looked at Lisa, and then he caught sight of the picture on his desk. He remembered his promise not to hurt her. He didn’t like lying to her, but if he told her the truth now, he’d do just that.

“The label wants the release pushed back to March.” Wincing inside, he tried to ease his guilt by telling himself it wasn’t completely a lie. His label was growing more and more adamant about postponing the release. They were giving him until Christmas to finalize
Blue Twilight
and if he couldn’t, they would drop the track from the album. He was aware no other artist could make the demands he was, but looking at Lisa, he realized he would do whatever it took. The song would be finished in time. He’d make damn sure of it.

Lisa studied him for a moment before sighing and pulling him into a hug. “Do you think you need more time?” she asked against his shoulder.

Time was the one thing he never had enough of. But he’d never tell Lisa that. Kissing her hair, he murmured, “Truthfully? I don’t know. I just don’t know.”

Shifting slightly, she looked up into his eyes. “I believe in you,” she said in a sure voice. “No matter what you decide.”

As he stared into her eyes, Jake knew she meant every word. Her faith in him was staggering. It was also undeserved. He loved her with everything he had, and he never wanted to lose her—of that, at least, he was certain.

Without thinking, he asked her, “Do you love me?”

“You know I do.”

Her declaration left no room for doubt. He felt a long broken part of himself heal slightly at her words. This woman had come into his life just when he’d needed her, and she made him a better man.

“Marry me,” he blurted before he’d even considered the words.

Pushing herself back, she asked, “What did you just say?”

Holy hell. What
did
I just say?

“I think,” he said, swallowing hard, “that I just asked you to marry me.”

He refused to consider the consequences of what he’d just done. Not yet. Right now, all he wanted to hear was her answer.

Lisa blew the hair from her face as she blinked rapidly. “I…I need to sit down.”

“Answer me first.”

Pressing her hands to her eyes, she tried to reason with him. “I-I can’t think. It’s too soon! It has to be too soon…right?”

Jake chuckled as he watched her pace and talk to herself.

Suddenly, she spun to face him again. “Are you drunk?”

“No, angel,” he said, trying to keep a straight face as he pulled her into his arms once more. “Don’t think,” he said against her hair. “Just say yes.”

He watched as she tried to work things out inside her head. Every second that passed without her answer was agony. He should be terrified, but somehow felt more settled than he could ever remember being.

“Let’s try it this way,” he said dropping to one knee and taking her hand.

“Oh my God,” Lisa whispered.

“Lisa Nicole James, will you make me the happiest man in the world and be my wife?” He even sang a few lines of her favorite song. He wasn’t above playing dirty, after all.

Jake was coming up with all the reasons why this was a good idea when he watched her eyes fill with tears.

“Yes,” she whispered, seeming to surprise herself.

Standing, he framed her face with his hands. “Say it again.”

“Yes,” she repeated, a little louder this time. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

Pressing kisses all over her face and then to her lips, Jake picked her up. “I love you,” he told her. “And I’m going to spend the rest of my life showing you how much.”

They spent a few more minutes basking in the glow before Lisa rushed upstairs to call her Mom with the news.

Once he was sure she was occupied in the other room, Jake picked up his phone and dialed a number he knew too well. “Do it,” he said tracing his finger over Lisa’s picture. “You heard me. Whatever it takes, Len. Just finish it.”