His fingers tickled her neck, brushing her hair away from her cheek. She reached over, taking his other hand in hers, snuggling closer. He lightly rubbed his thumb across her palm. His touch sent tingles along her spine. His lips fluttered lightly against her earlobe, making her sigh quietly.
Running through their own repertoire, the band started taking requests. With a wink at Mara, the front man, Steve, played the opening chords for Linger.
"Somebody told me you liked this," he said quietly. He had a versatile voice and hit the high notes easily. The song sounded even more beautiful with the ocean waves as accompaniment.
"You know my song," Red chuckled at Steve.
"Yeah, bro," he laughed, wiggling around until he had himself in a more upright position.
The opening chords were distinctive, taking Mara back to her childhood. Midnight Rider by the Allman Brothers had been a favorite of her father's. Hardly able to contain herself, she joined Steve on the vocals. They sang in happy harmony till the song ended. Steve and the others looked at her in amazement.
"Wow, Cole, you didn't tell me she could sing!"
"I didn't know! Mara, that was incredible!"
"You want to join our group? We need a female voice."
"Lady's got a job," Cole grinned. "But we aren't talking about the office for the next two weeks. Mara's rules."
"All that aside," Steve continued. "Would you consider singing with us on our next album?"
"Let me think about it, Steve."
"Cool!" He gave her a high five. "I think we need to get going, Denny. We're supposed to fit costumes or some such crap for the video shoot. I keep thinking this is more trouble than it's worth. Why can't we just wear what we always do, sing on stage and have an audience?"
"It's supposed to be more interesting and exotic," Red told him. "I pretty much think it's bull too, but give the people what they want."
"Most people are happy with a song on the radio," Mara observed. "I think videos are basically giving networks what they want, not the people."
"Shh," the director told her, leaning unsteadily forward, whispering conspiratorially. "If you close down the video industry, I'm out of a very lucrative job."
"I promise to voice my opinion only where they can't hear me."
He was a funny man with a quirky sense of humor. His cherubic face dimpled and split into a toothy smile. All he needed was a pair of wings, and he'd look like Cupid.
"We need to get going too, Dad," Cole told his father. "We've got another big day planned and I want to get started early."
"You're welcome to stay in the guest house," his father said casually.
It was more than a casual invitation. It showed that Denny had accepted them as a couple.
Cole was stunned. "Seriously?"
"Absolutely." The look Dennis gave his son was penetrating and pointed.
"Thanks, Pop." Cole's voice was quiet and full of emotion. "That means a lot to me. Thank you."
Mara might not understand the full significance of the exchange, but she knew it was a major step for Cole and his father. She leaned over, kissing Dennis on the cheek.
"Thanks, Denny."
"Take good care of my boy," he whispered.
"You know I will."
They saw the guests off and helped Denny clean up the beach and the kitchen. He waved them away before they could settle down in the living room.
"I'm tired, kids. I'm gonna head to bed. Goodnight." He waved them off, locking the door behind them.
Cole and Mara walked down the stairs and under the porch to the shed door. Opening the door for Mara, Cole stopped, leaning against the door jamb.
"You don't know what this means to me, Mara. Dad never did this for me before."
"Did what?"
"Let me bring a woman here. I was with Emma nearly three years, and never in that time did he allow us to stay the night."
"But you said Red and Becky always stay here."
"Dad's condoned that relationship for years."
"Why hers and not yours?"
"Because Becky's been with Red since high school. She refuses to marry him, but loves him more than life. Emma never treated me well. I don't know why I put up with it."
"We put up with a lot when we think we're in love."
"I guess." Suddenly he had that adolescent fear of failure grip his stomach, making him feel awkward. "Excuse me." He left her at the door, and nearly running to the bathroom.
Splashing water on his face, he felt a little more like himself. What's wrong with me? He couldn't figure out why he felt like he did, but he wanted it to stop. He was crazy about Mara and more attracted to her than he'd ever been in to any other woman in his life.
I'm afraid I'll screw up. I don't want to blow the best thing that's ever happened to me.
©2021 Dellani Oakes
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