Page 12 of Driving Beats

5

COOP

“This is your car?”

I wish good manners weren’t so ingrained in me. I could’ve left her on the street and been eating my curry puffs by now. Too late. “It is.” He hits the key fob again. “Get in.”

For once, she keeps her mouth shut and slides into the black leather interior. “This is a new model.”

A statement, not a question, so I don’t respond. I program the GPS for the restaurant and put the SUV into gear. The silence doesn’t last long.

“You do enjoy luxuries, just not in your clothes, huh? This could change everything.” She continues to touch the interior with almost reverence.

Stopping at a light, even though I know I shouldn’t, I take the bait. “What do you mean?”

Her smile indicates she knows she won our unspoken challenge. “You like high-end toys. I bet your house is modern and has a calming curb appeal. Yet, with your old clothes—meaning former, not age-wise, although they certainly qualify—you didn’t convey any of this. You’re more fascinating than I first thought, Cooper O’Shea.”

The light changes. “Bully for you.” I concentrate on traffic, trying to put the chatterbox beside me into an imaginary container.

When she realizes I’m not going to give her anymore, she asks, “Have you been to this restaurant before? Or did one of the band members recommend it?”

This is a safe topic. “Actually, Luke told me about it a few years back. The food is impressive.” Her stomach growls again, and I chuckle. “It’s time to feed your stomach so your soul will be ready.”

Nese turns toward me. “Who said that?”

“I just did.” I put my blinker on to enter the restaurant’s parking lot.

She gives another full belly laugh. “Who knew you could be funny!”

My right eyebrow rises. “I wasn’t being funny.” Stopping at the sign, I turn the key fob over to the valet and exit the Rover. Before I can get to the passenger’s side, she has found her own footing on the pavement.

This is going to be a long lunch.

Side by side, we walk to the entrance, and I open the door for her. She approaches the hostess stand, asks for a table, and is told it will be a few minutes. Nese whispers to me, “Why don’t you throw your UC around to get us seated faster?”

I never flaunt my career. “Throw my UC around? What the hell does that even mean? We’ll get a table when one is available.” Leaving her, I find an empty seat along the wall.

A name is called and the person next to me stands. Nese promptly takes his place. “This, right here, is what I was talking about before. The hostess obviously didn’t recognize you, and you didn’t enlighten her. You choose to remain in the background.”

“I didn’t see any reason to ‘throw my weight around’”—I use air quotes around the phrase—“we’ll be seated when it’s our turn. I know you’re hungry, but I’m sure these other nice people are too.” I rest for a couple of notes. “And, as for staying in the background, I prefer to evaluate before jumping. So what if it takes a few extra minutes?”

Nese stares at me, open-mouthed. “Holy shit. I think that’s the most I’ve ever heard you speak at one time since I joined UC.”

“It happens.”

“When you find a subject you feel is worthy. Fascinating.” She doesn’t make another comment for once. A text pings and she digs into her purse to retrieve her cell, then clicks the screen several times. She smiles and holds up her phone. “Got this from Jenna. She and Bennett are good together.”

In the photo, Jenna kisses Bennett’s cheek, and he looks as if he could conquer the world. Good for him. She’s the only person who’s been able to draw him out. They handled the mess from his high school girlfriend with grace, even if she needed to recenter after her mother died. Fortunately, they found their way back together. They have a strong chance of bucking the rockstar life, especially now as she’s the band’s physical therapist.

Since Nese is still holding out her phone, I reply, “I think so, too.”

She refocuses on her cell and soon shows me a photo of my best friend and our former-PR rep, then reads the text. “Hayden says she’s going to be the administrator for Darren’s scholarship and will be touring with us next month. This is great! Those two are as unlikely a pairing as they can be, but somehow they’re making it work. Neither Bennett nor Río appear to be the controlling type. Am I right?”

Controlling? What an odd word choice. “How so?”

“Oh, you know. The sort of guy who believes his woman is there to serve him, who wants to be apprised of what she’s doing all the time, directs her actions and tells her what to believe. Neither of these band members give off that vibe to me.”

Her shoulders raise and her eyes become unfocussed for an extended note. Then she returns to her normal posture. What’s this about? Given how her life seems to be an open book, I doubt she’ll seek my advice. I give her space.