Chapt. 2

KATIE

I couldn't believe I had said that I'd be hanging around awhile. What was I thinking? I had no intentions at all to hang around this city past the week's end. I was only here that long because Brian had booked me a ridiculously expensive hotel room for the week.

"He was totally flirting with you, even if he wasn't trying to, that's what he did."

I wasn't sure how long Jay had been talking but those were the first words to break through. "Psht, one, he's definitely not interested. Two, I'm not looking for anything at all when it comes to men. I'm not mentally or emotionally, much less physically, available. Three, I'm pretty damn certain he's gay, as much as that sucks."

Jay burst out laughing. Apparently something I had said struck her as humorous. "Why in the world do you think that Sal is gay?"

"Um, hello? I've seen the show! He does that far too well."

She was still laughing as she cranked the car and backed out of the lot. "Katie, I can promise you that he is most definitely NOT gay."

I just shook my head and stared out the window as we drove through the city. It was cloudy, the sky looked almost as if it was pissed off. No sooner than that thought had crossed my mind, and before the first raindrop assaulted the windshield, the roar of the thunder partnered with a violent slice of lightening, making me jump in my seat. I looked over to Jay, knowing how storms had always terrified her. The knuckles of her hands were white as chalk as she tightened her grip on the steering wheel. We were about a block away from the hotel and I was actually glad.

"Why don't you park and come in? Keep me company and all while we ride out this storm?"

She flashed me a grateful smile and nodded her head as we pulled up to the front of the hotel. The valet took the keys and my room number so that he could park the car and have my bags brought up. I hadn't seen the room yet, but judging by the lobby, and the elevator we stepped into, it was going to be overly lavish. I fought off the groan of agony at the thought. I was in no way a lavish type of girl at all. I liked things simple and southern.

We ended up having to switch elevators, because the first only went up to the fifth floor. You had to have a special pass to get any further on the secured elevator. What the hell is this fancy shit, I thought to myself. We stepped off of the elevator and I only saw two doors on the entire floor. We walked to one and Jay opened it slowly, letting me walk in first. To call it a room was a pretty misleading. Hell to call it a suite would have been misleading. It was a four room home, complete with a full kitchen and dining room, sitting at the top of a hotel.

"Jay, this is entirely too much," I said turning to her, shaking my head. "Can't he get his money back?"

"No ma'am. Consider this our gift to you doll. A get away from the hell you've had to deal with these last two weeks."

As I parted the curtains, I opened my mouth to protest, but the view, even in the darkness of the storm, was stealing my breath. I could see so much of New York, right here in this space that was mine. It was stunning.

"Wow," I whispered. "This is beautiful."

Jay nodded from my side and passed me a bottle of water. "It is a beautiful city. I think you'd really love it here if you gave it a chance. By the way, your kitchen is fully stocked too. I know how you love to cook and all. Oh! And they have a pasta maker, so you can make your own, fresh from scratch."

I glanced her way in awe as I headed to the kitchen area. She was right, I really did love to cook and this kitchen was any cooks dream. It was the kind of kitchen that you did cooking shows in really. Two ovens, six burners, and an island with a built in cutting board. Then, sitting on the end of the island, a bright and shiny, top of the line pasta maker. I couldn't wait to put it to work. I couldn't wait to fire up the stove, to get in this kitchen and…

My mental kitchen tour was cut short when my cell phone vibrated. It was a number that I didn't recognize but when I opened the message up I fought the smile that threatened my face.

"Who's that texting you, putting that grin on your face?"

I hadn't realized that the smile had won, and been so obvious. "Um, it's uh, well, Sal."

Her eyebrows shot up and she smirked. "Oh yeah?"

"Mhmm. Apparently Brian gave him my number."

"Is that okay with you?"

I just shrugged. "It's okay, I guess. I mean it's not as if I am interested so, I mean, it's just whatever." I saw her look and sat the phone down on the island. "Okay, let's get this straight. I do not want a relationship, which means no matchmaking from you or Brian. I don't want to be set up. I just want to be with me, myself, and I. We clear?"

She nodded, almost in a salute manner. I smiled, pleased that I had gotten my point across as I looked through the fridge, hungry and eager to work in this beautiful kitchen. With my head in the icebox, I heard Jay start reading the text that I had only partially skimmed.

"Hey, grabbed your number from Q, I hope that you don't mind. It was great to formally meet you today. The offer to hang out stands, whenever you want. We have a show tonight. I know Jay is coming, maybe you would like to come as well?"

I turned and gave Jay a look that plainly said no. Did she listen? No. Of course not. She smiled broadly and turned to answer the door. It was my luggage and she rolled it to the master bedroom and I could hear her unzipping the suitcase. She was actually going through my bag, looking for me something to wear to this show that I hadn't even said I was going to.

I walked to the doorway and cleared my throat. She looked up and held up a sweater and jeans. "These would look wonderful! How about I cook dinner and you shower and get ready to go?"

I couldn't help but laugh. She was so confident that I was going to go, and really I hated to kill her excitement. "Fine, I'll go, but I am cooking in that kitchen. I showered this morning and a messy ponytail will be just fine."

JAY

"So, she's agreed to come tonight. She's in her room, finishing up getting ready and we will be on the way."

"Okay, I can't wait to see you. I miss you, it's been a long day without you."

How had I ended up with such a wonderful man? This guy, he loved me and only wanted me. He told me daily I was beautiful and how I made his life a little brighter. I wasn't used to who he was, and I was scared that I was going to screw it up.

"Anyway, so Murray has been asking about her. He's taken with her already. Talks about her like a man with a teenaged crush."

I giggled. "Oh yeah? What's he saying?"

I could hear Brian chuckling on the other end of the line. "How her smile is just wonderful, it stole his breath and her eyes and gosh golly gee Quinn, did ya see how the light reflected off her hair?" He was laughing at himself now. I was laughing with him. I could actually picture Murray going all Wally Cleaver on things.

I heard Katie's door click closed and I looked up and saw her walking out. "Okay babe, Katie is ready so we will be on our way in just a few minutes. See you soon."

"Alright then, I'll see you two ladies soon."

I hung up and turned back to smile at my friend. She'd changed clothes again. This made the third time she had changed her outfit completely. "You ready beautiful?"

Katie nodded. "I don't know about beautiful, but I'm ready. Do I look okay?"

"Perfect," I said with a smile. She did look great too, I wasn't just feeding her lines. If only she could see herself like everyone else did. She was wearing a cute skirt and sweater with cowboy boots. She was in her element and looked comfortable. She had let her go with the natural curls, leaving it down. I could tell though; she was nervous to be going out. I'd have to buy her a drink to try to ease those nerves. I wanted her to be able to relax and let loose tonight.

The ten-minute ride to the venue was tripled in time thanks to New York City traffic. The one shitty part to living in the city was the damn traffic. I had hoped that we could get there in time to see Brian before the show. At this point we walked in and got to the table reserved for us near the stage with barely five minutes before the show was scheduled to start. No sooner than we sat down did a waitress approached us with a drink in each of her hands.

"Compliments of Mr. Quinn," she said as she sat my drink down in front of me. Turning to Katie, she sat the other drink down and slid a folded piece of paper toward her without a single word. She turned and walked away. Katie and I exchanged a confused look and I nodded toward the paper. She looked down and picked it up.

I watched her unfold it and read it slowly. A blush filled her cheeks and her a smile found her. I wouldn't say that it was a full smile, so my bet was that the note wasn't from Sal. "What's it say?" She slid the paper toward me as she sipped the drink.

"Heard you were coming, enjoy the show. I hope you don't mind if I buy you a drink. Maybe I can say hello between sets? J. Murray" He had even left her his cell number I noticed.

"Nice," I smiled as I slid the paper back to her. She shrugged as she smiled and slipped the paper into her purse. As she did the lights dimmed and the show started.

I really loved watching Brian working, the rest of the guys too. They truly enjoyed what they were doing and they played off of each other so well. Of course, after knowing each other and being so close for so long, that was to be expected. They loved each other like they were family and the chemistry was obvious.

I noticed that Katie was laughing the entire time. I was so glad that she was able to, if only for a few hours tonight, escaping reality. I couldn't help but notice both Sal and Murray kept looking her way, smiling at her, giving her attention. I wonder if she noticed that at all.

KATIE

I couldn't remember the last time I had laughed so hard. I" spent the whole show wiping the tears of laughter away. It was so refreshing, so nice to be genuinely happy. It had also been far too long since I had been the focus of a man's attention as well. That hadn't gone unnoticed. The irony that I now had it and yet didn't want it all wasn't lost on me. I'd been hurt one too many times at this point in my life to risk that pain again.

"This seat taken?" His voice interrupted my thoughts and I found myself thankful for the distraction as I smiled up at him.

"Well, I guess it is now. Thank you for the drink by the way."

Murray smiled at me as he sat. "Of course. Can I get you another?" I nodded and he waved the waitress over and ordered us each a drink before turning back to me. "So, you're Jay's friend that we've all been hearing about for so long. What took you so long to come around?"

I smiled and shrugged. "Life, I guess, but I'm here now, right? Better late than never."

HE chuckled and it was a nice noise in my ears. He had a warm, genuine laugh. "Life, you say? Sure it wasn't all the men fighting for a few minutes of a pretty lady's time?"

I giggled. Oh dear God. I giggled. Not only that, but I was playing with my damn hair. I forced my hands to the table and was relieved when the waitress returned with our drinks.

"If it's at all possible, I think you're even more beautiful when you laugh. I feel like you don't do that nearly enough." He smiled and I looked down at my drink. He was right. I didn't laugh too much these days. When I looked back up, he had his glass raised in a toast, so I raised mine up to meet with his. "Here's to new people walking into our lives with the sole purpose of making them better and making the days brighter. To new beginnings and new friends," he said as he clicked his glass against mine and taking a drink.

We talked a little longer and he excused himself to get ready for the next set. Brian and Sal stood from the table behind where I sat and headed to prepare for the set too. Sal's hand brushed my elbow and I felt a shock. I looked up and saw him smiling down at me.

"I'm glad you decided to come out to night." He leaned down and whispered near my ear, "Of course, I'd figure you for a whiskey kinda girl." He stood back up and winked down at me with that dimpled smile of his as he walked away. I felt my face flush hot and had to admit that he wasn't wrong.

Jay took the seat that Murray had just been in and nudged me. "You and Murr seemed to hit it off."

"He's a really nice guy. Funny. He could be a good friend."

"Mhmm. I'm sure that he would like to get to know you."

Ugh, I groaned inwardly. Why could no one understand that I did not want a relationship of any kind? I was no good for a guy in my current emotional condition. I was damaged, in every way possible.

Thankfully, at that moment, the lights dimmed and the second set started. I could escape again from all that hurt.

SAL

I had thought that the second set tonight would never end. I was determined to get to Katie before Murr this time. I just wanted to talk to her, to hear what she was willing to tell me. I walked off the stage, straight toward her, when the set was done.

"So, hey there." God, really Sal? How fucking lame could I be?

"Hi yourself," she smiled. She really did have a beautiful smile. "Oh, well, um, thank you." Shit. I'd said it out loud.

"Um, you hungry? We could grab us a booth, order some food… talk?"

"A little I guess." Her stomach growled loudly. "Okay, a lot," she laughed.

I led her over to a back corner booth where I was a little quieter and we sat. When the waitress came over I ordered her a Jack and Dr. Pepper, pleased at her approving smile. We both ordered some burgers, fries, and onion rings and settled in.

Two hours later I knew that she was not wanting to get involved, she had been hurt far more than anyone should ever be, and that her laugh was addicting. I knew that she really just wanted to escape and make herself a new life, one that was free from pain and idiots who couldn't appreciate her. I also wondered if she ate like she should after the way she had eaten like she hadn't in days tonight. Hell, I admired a woman with a good appetite though.

The bar was closing. Jay had headed out with Brian earlier and Katie had told Jay she would get a cab. Being raised how I was, I just wasn't comfortable with that. "So, I guess we lost track of time huh?"

She yawned and stretched her arms above her head, making her sweater lift and threaten to show a slim slit of skin. "I guess so."

"How about I give you a ride back to your hotel? It's on my way home so it's no big deal."

I saw her hesitation and knew she was thinking I was one of those guys who had one thing on his mind. "Katie, look, I'm not out for anything at all. I'm not the guy who hooks up. I don't want a relationship any more than you do. I just want to explore a friendship if you're up to that. All I want, my only intention is to make sure that you get back to the hotel safe and sound. That's all. Nothing more, nothing less." Was that relief I saw on her face?

Finally, she nodded. "Well, okay then."

Seemed like it was much too soon however that I was saying goodnight as I dropped her off. Already I was looking forward to any excuse that would allow me to spend time with her again. She made great conversation and she laughed at my idiot jokes. The ones that weren't even funny.