Imagine: You becoming singer at the bar Benny works and over time he falls for you just by hearing your voice.
Summary: Amelia Karson got hired as a singer at the local bar. When she meets a handsome bartender what could possibly happen between them?
Amelia stood in her apartment making sure her outfit was casual enough to sing in front of people. She had put her long, dark brown hair in a french braid, which brought out the blue and pink streaks in it. It really brought out her blue and grey eyes. She was born with heterochromia, so each eye was a different color. She had on a spaghetti strap, black dress that ended above her knees. She threw on a small, jean jacket, and a pair of black sandals. She applied some black eyeliner and some clear lipgloss. She grabbed her purse and headed to the little bar two blocks down the street. She had applied for a job as a singer there and today was sort of her audition.
She walked into the bar and the smell of smoke and beer hit her nose. "You must be Amelia Karson," a woman with tired brown eyes and messy brown hair said walking over to her and shaking her hand.
"I am," she said.
"Ok let me introduce you to everyone," she said pointing to two guys on stage, "That's Erin and Micky they play guitar and drums," she waved to them. "That guy over there hiding behind the newspaper is Chris, he plays the keyboard," she said and Amelia again waved, "I'm Ella Ross, the owner," she pointed to herself and then to the bar, "and that handsome devil over there is Benny Smith the bartender,". Amelia waved suddenly shy. "Guys, this is Amelia Karson," Ella said. The band all waved back.
"Please to make your acquaintance Miss Karson," Benny said. She didn't know why, but his thick southern accent and his piercing blue eyes made her blush.
"Now we open in a few hours," Ella said, "go up on stage, pick a song and if I like what I hear you're hired and start tonight,". Amelia hurried on stage to the mic.
"Do you guys know Every little thing by Carly Pearce?" she asked and they nodded. They started to play the music and soon Amelia started to sing. It didn't take long for her to get lost in the song as she closed her eyes and sung. She never noticed, but the whole time she sang Benny couldn't take his eyes off her. It was like he was almost entranced by her voice. When she finished everyone clapped.
"Well Amelia," Ella said, "you got the job,".
"Thank you," Amelia said stepping off stage.
"Feel free to stick around until we open," Ella said, "my employees drink free,". She walked over to the bar and sat on one of the stools.
"What can I get ya?" Benny asked.
"Just a beer please," she said. He grabbed a beer, popped the lid off it, and handed it to her, "thank you,".
"If it's ok to say, Miss Karson," Benny started, "you have an amazing voice,". The compliment made her feel shy again and she could feel her cheeks warm up.
"Thank you, Benny," she said, "and please call me Amelia,". She soon found it very easy to talk to the handsome bartender. She loved the southern drawl in his voice, but there was something mysterious about Benny she couldn't put her finger on. "So I told my mom when I was thirteen that I wasn't doing the little miss pageants anymore. Singing is my true calling," she said.
"Well it seems like you made the right call," Benny said as Ella walked in from her office.
"Opening time soon," she said, "Benny we low on anything?".
"No ma'am," he answered.
"You ready to rock the stage?" Ella asked Amelia.
"Always," Amelia said. She and Benny talked for a while longer as people started to show up. An hour after opening the place was pretty packed.
"Stage time Amelia," Ella said walking over to the stage as Amelia followed, "Ladies and gentleman give a nice, warm welcome for The Golden Rose's new singer Amelia Karson!,". Amelia waved as she took the microphone off the stand.
"You guys ready to dance?!" she called out through the mic and the crowd cheered, "what do you wanna hear?!". She listened until a song she knew would be fun to sing caught her ears. "Guys, we're doin Cowboy Casanova by Carrie Underwood,". The band started and she soon lost herself in the song. She soon had everyone either dancing, singing along, or both. When the song ended everyone clapped or hollered. "I'll be back on stage in a bit with a slow song," she said before they turned the radio in the bar on as she headed back to the bar.
"Can I get ya somethin Amelia?" Benny asked.
"Rum and coke?" she asked.
"Comin up," he said and went off to make the drink. He came back a few minutes later, "here ya go,". She gladly took and sipped the drink.
"I say you'll be a star in no time," Benny said.
"That would be really cool," she said placing her cup down on a napkin.
"Well you already have your number one fan," he said with a wink and smile before having to make more shots for others. Which was good so he didn't see her blush to the shade of a rose. They talked here and there until it was time for Amelia to get on stage again.
"Ok everyone this is a slow song," she announced, "so any couples out there get on the floor,". She told the band to start the music for Amazed by Lonestar. Benny watched her intently as she sang. Her voice was like some form of magic. It felt like it was pulling him to her. He hadn't felt this strong of an...atraction? To anyone in a very long time. As the song ended everyone cheered and she smiled as she watched the sweet kisses couples shared. Ella hopped on stage and grabbed the mic.
"Amelia Karson, let her hear it one more time guys!" she said and the crowd cheered again. She waved to them and hurried off the stage, "Bar closes in an hour y' all so enjoy yourselves,". An hour later after the bar closed Ella sat at the bar counting the tips from the tip jar. "Wow two hundred bucks in tips,".
"Really?" Amelia asked, "is that the usual amount a night?".
"Not in a long time," Ella said. She soon split the money into two piles of a hundred dollars then split one of the piles into two piles of fifty dollars. She handed one to Benny and the other to Amelia. Amelia looked confused.
"What's this?" she said taking the money.
"I always split half the tips between bartender and singer," Ella said picking up the rest of the money, "rest of the tips goes into the bar money,".
"Wow, thanks Ella," Amelia said.
"You earned it girl," Ella said, "you two head on home now,".
"I hate walking home in the dark," she said with a giggle grabbing her purse.
"Which way ya headed?" Benny asked.
"Two blocks up the street," she said.
"I'm headed three block's up. I can walk with you," he offered.
"I don't wanna be a bother Benny," she said.
"I insist," he said, "please?".
"If you're sure it's no bother," she said.
"I'm sure," he said. Soon they waved goodbye to Ella and headed up the street. They walked in silence for a few moments. Then Amelia realized something.
"You know you never really told me about yourself," she pointed out.
"Well, I was born in Carencro, Louisiana," he started, "and I was a bit rebellious and fell in with the wrong crowd for a long time. I eventually met a girl and I thought we were in love. Then I had to leave for a while. When I returned she was in love with someone who I thought was a friend,". He spun the truth so he could best explain it.
"Wow," she said, "I'm really sorry, but hey it sounds like her loss,". Benny smiled. Amelia couldn't help, but notice how gorgeous he was when he smiled. After some more small chat, they reached her apartment building, "well this is me," she said, "thank you for walking me home,".
"Pleasure was all mine," he said, "Um if it would be ok, the bar is closed on Sundays, maybe I could take you to dinner then if it's ok?". Amelia smiled.
"That would be nice Benny, sure," she said. His face lit up.
"Goodnight Amelia," he said gently grabbing her hand and kissing the back of it, "I'll see you tomorrow,". She nodded.
"Goodnight Benny," she said and entered her apartment building.