Chapter Eleven
Shooting Stars
Spring 1998

Thank whomever's watching over her that the fake ID works, and she can get into the club and go straight to the bar. Because holy shit, she needs a drink. So she gets her wristband indicating her ID's been checked, orders a vodka tonic, and finds a seat close to the stage.

Going to a poetry slam instead of prom wasn't her first choice. But since Scott dumped her for Maddie, the last thing she wanted to do was go stand awkwardly in a hotel ballroom and watch her ex-boyfriend and former best friend make out all night.

The lights dim shortly after she orders a second drink, and she turns her attention to the stage.

"Hello, Brooklyn," a man she assumes is the emcee says into the microphone. "Welcome to the Spring Slam. We have a great lineup for you tonight. First up, always a crowd pleaser, Rick Rodgers."

Kate joins in the applause and settles in her seat as a man takes the stage. He looks to be just a few years older than her, but she's not surprised in this area of the city. It's one reason she'd chosen this club: it attracts a younger crowd, so she doesn't stick out like she would elsewhere.

A few seconds into his poem about falling stars or shooting stars they make eye contact, and she's so struck with his intense gaze that she stops paying attention to his words. He does glance around the room occasionally, but his attention always returns back to her.

When the crowd applauds she realizes he's done talking, and she joins in, tries to will him over to her table. She knows nothing about him except that he's really cute and talked about love or something like that, but she sure wouldn't mind if he offered to buy her a drink.

"May I?" the familiar voice rumbles in her ear moments after he leaves the stage, and she ignores the emcee's next announcement and nods her head.

"Sure."

He's even cuter up close, she notices when he pulls out the seat next to her. "That was a nice poem," she manages after a long moment, hopes that he doesn't ask for any more details, like her favorite line or what she liked about it.

He just chuckles. "I wrote it after my last girlfriend dumped me for her boss, but thanks."

"Oh." Kate pauses, ignoring the new person on the stage. "Sorry."

"It's fine. Can I buy you a refill?" he asks, pointing at her empty glass.

"Sure." She orders another vodka tonic when he flags down a waitress, and smiles her thanks when it's delivered a few minutes later. "Thanks. Your name is Rick, right?"

He nods. "Yep. And you are-"

"Kate."

"Kate," he repeats with a smile. "Nice to meet you, Kate. What brings you to this fine establishment?" Rick leans in closer.

She mirrors his movement, and finds herself getting lost in his eyes like she did when he was on stage. His impossibly blue eyes, bright even in the dim lighting of the club, and locked on her with an intense focus.

She clears her throat and takes a sip of her drink. "Just wanted to check it out," she says after a swallow. "I had a bad day."

"So you decided to come listen to a bunch of twenty-somethings talk about their broken hearts?"

She shrugs. "It's better than wallowing in self pity at home."

"True." Rick gives her a crooked smile, almost a smirk. "Well, I'm glad you're here."

Kate doesn't stop her eyes from flicking to his mouth, and she catches his eyes drop to her own mouth. "Me too."

The sound of applause around them makes her look around, and she realizes that they talked through an entire performance. "I hope we didn't disrupt him with our talking."

"He's used to it." Rick glances around before scooting his chair close. "To tell you the truth, he isn't very good. Hey, do you drink coffee?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Can I buy you one? There's a cafe around the corner."

"Oh." She hesitates.

As if reading the doubts in her mind, Rick nods. "It's a 24 hour diner, always busy, especially on nights like tonight. There are plenty of people around, well lit, but it's quiet enough that we could get to know each other." He leans back slightly. "Tell you what. We'll go there, and I'll let you scope it out first. No pressure. I promise."

Kate considers for several seconds, and finally goes with her gut and pushes her chair back. "Alright, let's go."