she liked pop, so I figured she might like belting out a few tunes.”
“I’ve heard of this place,” April breathed, her gaze never leaving mine. “It takes weeks to get a table.”
“I play poker with one of the owners every couple of months.” I shrugged. “He owed me a favor.”
“So you booked out the entire place just for us?” Her brows arched but there was excitement shining in her eyes.
“Yep. You ready to do some singing?”
She flipped her hair over her shoulder and smiled as she pulled on her door handle. “You’re going to be so sorry you ever asked me that question. We’re all going home with bleeding ears tonight, but it’s going to be so much fun until then.”
Practically flying out of the car, she laughed and let out a sound that wasn’t at all like her. My brows went up, and I twisted around in my seat to face Adi.
“Do you know what’s going on?”
She nodded, giggling as she looked out the window at her mother. “Your ears really are going to bleed, but she loves stuff like this. So do I. I hope you’re ready.”
Both of them kept hoping I was ready. I kept telling them I was, but now I was getting to the point where I was starting to look forward to knowing what they hoped I was ready for.
Chapter 20
APRIL
“I haven’t had this much fun in forever.” I grinned at Chris and collapsed on my seat across from him. “Thank you for this. It’s incredible.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad you don’t find it too extravagant that I booked the place out. I just thought if I was going to call in a favor, I might as well go all out.”
“Oh, it’s totally too extravagant, but it’s also amazing. I’m not about to complain when Adi’s smiling like that.” I jerked my head in her direction.
The servers had formed a line on either side of her on stage and were letting her take the lead in performing a song from her favorite musical. “She’s having a blast.”
He turned slightly in his seat to have a better view. “I’ve accomplished my mission then. Are you going to go up there with her again?”
I wiped my brow with the back of my hand and shook my head. “Not right this minute. I need some water and maybe an energy drink.”
His eyes lit up with amusement when he brought them back to mine, and he pushed a bottle of water across the table and arched a brow. “An energy drink, huh? Age catching up to you?”
My eyes widened in surprise. Then I stuck my tongue out at him before I could think better of it. “Pretty sure you’re older than me. Is that why you haven’t been up there at all?”
“I’m more of an after-dinner, headline performer,” he said, totally deadpan in his delivery. Only the slight crinkling of the corners of his eyes afterward let me know he was trying not to laugh.
“In that case, I’ll be awaiting your performance with great anticipation.” I sat back in the plush upholstered chair that was more comfortable than any seat I’d had in a restaurant before, and I snagged a piece of bread from the basket between us. “What song are you going to perform?”
He smirked. “That’s for me to know and for you to wait for with great anticipation.”
“Fine.” I pretended to pout but it only lasted for a second. I was having too much fun to keep from smiling for longer than that. “As long as it’s Broadway or Pop and not Rock, you’ll fit right in.”
“I could sing heavy metal and I’d still fit right in,” he said confidently. “What’s your next choice of song?”
“I’ll see what I’m in the mood for after my break.” I propped my forearms on the table and leaned in, capturing his gaze with my own. “For now, I’d like to get to know you better. We haven’t had much time to speak one on one recently.”
“What would you like to know?” He spread his arms out over the back of the booth with an easy smile. “Ask me anything.”
“You mentioned your father immigrated here. It sounds like an interesting story. I’d love to hear more about him, where he came from, and if he’s happy here now.”
His expression shuttered and he didn’t move a muscle except for a small twitch below his jaw. “Let’s leave that topic for another day. We’re having a good time. I’d rather not get into