My Body-Mine (16 page)

I’d love to be able to share that I floated calmly to the Camry, got in, and drove off. The last two parts happened accurately but my pulse had begun to race. Anxiety rapped on my psyche like the head-banger heavy metal music at a Metallica revival. How should I handle Chase in person after our playful chats? I hoped Parker would fill me in on the newest changes in her life so I’d be otherwise occupied.

Once I arrived at the Jazzed for Blues Café, the New Orleans architecture and ambiance took over. Wrought-iron tables filled with customers winged both sides of the entrance to the establishment. I texted Parker while still seated in the car.

Me:
Here.

Parker:
Halfway down the bar on the left as you come in.

Me:
Coming.

I sauntered into the café more confidently than I felt. Once I saw Parker alone at the bar, I felt some of the tension release. When she rose to her feet, I noticed the wooden stool was covered in green leather with brass studs—Marcello would love the style of this place.

Stunning as ever, Parker towered over me as we hugged. She wore high-waisted black slacks, a cream-colored blouse, and high-heeled black boots. The overall effect made her legs seem to go on forever, and I worried that I might be underdressed.

“
Don’t you look cute,” Parker said as she sat down. “I’m so happy to see that you are taking good care of yourself.”

“
Thanks, Parker. It’s good to see you too. Where are the boys?”

“
They’re behind the stage with the band members. They should be starting their first set shortly.”

Sitting down on the high stool next to Parker, I smoothed my dress underneath me. I felt grateful for the reprieve. “Let It Be Me” by Ray Montagne played in the background, very soft and bluesy and somewhat sad. It seemed to fit with the surroundings. The club’s décor, a mix of greens and wood with shiny brown marble flooring, gave it an elegant charm. Square tables diagonally lined the left side of the bar. Behind us I found walled off areas with curtains that could be drawn closed for private dinners and drinks. To the right of us cocktail tables and chairs surrounded the stage.

We could see the stage from where we sat but would have to shift our stools to the side for better viewing.

“
How is work going?” I asked Parker.

“
Really well, but when you have a life, work becomes less important.”

“
Yeah, I get that.”

“
I can’t bring myself to put in the same kind of hours I used to. I’m no longer willing to go in on the weekends.”

“
I think that’s really great. How is being at work with Andre now that you’re a couple?”

“
We’re not in the same department so it’s not an issue. We’ve started talking about moving in together.”

“
Oh, how excellent! Your place or his?”

“
Probably his. He has more room and his place is actually closer to the office.”

I wanted to advise her to keep her house but her relationship existed in another realm than the one I had with Luke. Instead I said, “I’m so excited for you.” I leaned in for a cheek to cheek hug.

“
I hear your book is going to be published.”

“
How do you know that?” I wondered if she had spoken to Sandy but that seemed unlikely.

“
Chase.”

I had forgotten we had chatted about it. At the mere mention of his name I could feel my temperature rise.

“
Why the odd expression?” she asked. She scrutinized my face and then said, “Oh, you like him!” She clapped her hands excitedly.

“
Parker, I—” That’s all I got out. A hand on my elbow caused a frisson to race through me before I could even see the cause. Rounding toward Chase, I immediately blushed, wishing I could garner some control over my bodily reactions. I gave him a startled look and he laughed.

“
Nice to see you too,” he said. His eyes crinkled into laugh lines as he grinned at me. His smile seemed to imply he hid a secret that could spill at any moment. I tried not to scan his physique but I couldn’t help myself. His tight black jeans clung to his thighs and his purple cotton button-down shirt couldn’t hide his muscular arms and chest. The unruly curls framing his face and skimming his collar made him appear more bohemian than businessman.

I quickly glanced away toward Parker. She raised an eyebrow at me, but then Andre wrapped his arms around her from behind, distracting her. She leaned her head back against his chest.

“
They make a good couple,” Chase whispered into my ear, still too close, raising goose bumps along my neck and arms. The faint, musky scent of cologne on his clean-shaven face perked my nipples as his pheromones activated my libido.

“
Hey dude, back up a bit, will you,” I said, playfully shoving him away.

“
So it’s ‘dude’ now?”

“
It is when you invade my space,” I said, smiling.

“
Oh, sorry. I’ll behave. Just don’t call me dude or I might have to start calling you dudette. We wouldn’t want that now, would we?”

I laughed, “Definitely not.”

“
Shall I ask for permission when I want to step in closer?” He gave me a cheeky smile.

“
That would be wise.”

“
Another note to self, ask permission before accosting gorgeous girl, I mean
woman,
in the flowery dress.” He raised an invisible pencil to place a period at the end of the sentence hanging in the air.

“
Hey guys,” Andre said, drawing our attention away from each other. “We have a booth near the stage.” He picked up Parker’s drink and we followed. They had reserved one of the inset tables with a horseshoe-shaped booth that could have comfortably held six people. Chase got in and slid around. Parker jostled me to go in after him, sandwiching me between Chase and herself as the heat still blazed in my cheeks over his compliment.

We had a great view as the band began to settle in and tune up.

Andre, still standing, caught the attention of the waiter and ordered a couple of beers. “Jane, what can I get you?”

“
Whatever sweet white wine they have. Oh, and a glass of water too, please.”

“
Are you hungry?” Chase asked. “The food is really good here. I can make some recommendations.”

“
No doubt,” I said, holding back my smile. “Not really hungry at the moment but maybe later.”

Andre sat down as the server hurried away. I reached across Parker and touched his pinstriped sleeve. “Thanks,” I said.

“
Don’t mention it.” He put his arm around Parker and kissed her cheek.

“
Do you listen to much jazz?” Chase asked, drawing my attention back to him.

“
I like some jazz but it’s definitely not my favorite genre of music. Marcello likes it a lot so I hear it often.”

“
What’s your favorite?”

“
I can answer that,” Parker said, jumping into the conversation, “she loves that hard alternative crap, I mean stuff.” She winked at me. “Jane tells me it’s great for running but it just sounds like a lot of noise to me.”

“
Like who?” Chase asked.

“
Let’s see … My newest love is Alex Clare. I also really love to run to Breaking Benjamin and Phoenix. MGMT, Ill Niño, and Incubus are fun too.”

“
Wow,” Chase said, and leaned back.

“
Oh and Florence and the Machine, Feist, and La Roux. Those are just some off the top of my head.”

“
How about Crossfade, My Chemical Romance, Puddle of Mudd?” he asked.

“
Puddle of Mudd?” Parker said, her nose scrunched up in disgust.

“
You like them?” I asked, finding it hard to believe we could have so much in common. I added, “Love Crossfade, their
Falling Away
CD is great and My Chemical Romance does one of my all-time favorite songs.”

“
Which one?” Chase asked.

“ ‘
The Ghost of You’. I must have listened to that one song at least a hundred times when I first heard it.”

“
You are dark,” Chase said, giving me the little smile with the secretive edge. His sparkling hazel eyes gave him away.

“
Just a bit,” I said, smiling.

“ ‘
Control’ by Puddle of Mudd?” he asked.

“
Yes,” I said, with as straight a face as I could manage. “So it’s like that for you?”

“
There’s so much you don’t know about me.” The challenge in his expression hit me at a visceral level, migrating quickly to my nipples and clit.

I crossed my arms over my breasts, wishing I’d had the sense to wear the jeans and shirt with a thick bra. Needing to shift the direction of the conversation, I asked, “Your favorites?”

Somehow he understood and winked at me. “This might strike you as odd but my all-time favorite is by Queen and David Bowie—”

“
Did Parker tell you this?”

“
Tell me what?” Chase said at the same time Parker said, “Tell him what?”

Andre laughed but both Parker and Chase stared at me intently.

“
Did you tell Chase what my favorite song is?”

“
Of course not. It hasn’t come up in conversation.” She shrugged.

“ ‘
Under Pressure’ is your favorite song?” I asked, turning to face him.

“
It is.”

“
What are the odds?” I said.

“
It’s a great song.”

“
That’s true. Huh.” Not sure how to wrap my brain around this new bit of information, I resolved not to over think it.

The server brought our drinks and I took a sip of wine. Wanting to visit the bathroom before the music started, I said, “Could you let me out?” Chase scooted around and I took my purse and followed his lead. “Bathroom?”

“
I can show you,” he said.

“
Okaaaay,” I said, drawing out the word.

“
We should hurry,” he said, grasping my hand.

“
Okay,” I said again. My nipples hardened over the contact.

He led me past another, separate room filled with tables and patrons. The back wall of glass featured a luscious garden on the far side. My eyes swept over Chase’s butt and I wondered if his ass indented on the sides. I chuckled inwardly at myself and my wandering mind.

Releasing my hand in front of the women’s bathroom he said, “See you back here in a sec.”

“
Thanks,” I said and pushed through the door.

Finishing up in the stall, I stepped over to the sink and washed my hands. I heard the music begin so I quickly checked my appearance and headed out.

“
Come on,” he said, dragging me along with him. “I don’t want to miss their first song.”

It had been a long time since I had strolled hand and hand with another person. I tried to ignore how comfortably my hand fit in his. I liked being with Chase and I hoped we could be friends, despite all the chemistry and attraction that churned between us.

Once seated, I lifted my glass of wine and took a few sips as I focused on the band, trying to concentrate on the music and not the distracting noise in my head.

What are the odds that his favorite song could be the same as mine? A song from the early 1980s, no less.
So much for not over thinking
.

The song shifted to a poppy jazz number and Chase dashed out of the booth, catching my hand as he went.

“
Hey,” I said, resisting his efforts to pull me to my feet.

“
Let’s dance.”

“
To this?”

“
I’ll show you,” he said, drawing me toward him.

“
Okay, okay,” I said, shifting around to get out of the booth.

The tiny square of a dance floor stood off to the side of the stage. The otherwise empty space put us in the spotlight, and I flushed in embarrassment. Chase, however, moved with ease, and I soon relaxed, managing to keep up and be swept away in the dance. Whenever he led me quickly from one position to the next, I couldn’t help giggling. When the song finished, a slower one began and he guided me back to our booth.

“
I didn’t know you could dance like that,” Parker said to me.

“
I can’t,” I said, laughing. “It was all him.”

“
Just because you never danced like that before doesn’t mean you can’t. You did,” Chase said, touching my arm.

“
I don’t think there is much brilliance in following a strong lead. Thanks for the dance. I had fun.”

“
Me too.” He stared deeply into my eyes and I had to will myself to pull away. I noticed that another glass of wine had been brought in my absence. I picked it up and took a long sip as I tried to lose myself in the slow number.

After the band played three more songs, they took a break. I had consumed another full glass of wine and felt rather tipsy.

“
Care to go for a walk?” Chase asked me.

I needed something in my stomach to absorb the wine so I said, “Let’s order some food first so it will be here when we get back.”

“
Great idea. What would you like?”

“
What’s good?”

“
Are we talking appetizers or—”

“
Appetizers.”

“
My favorites are either the stuffed crab artichoke or the Asian calamari.”