6 #4
While Kenny's grin was delighted, Rhys laughed outright, and Rhett thought the picture couldn't have turned out better.
"Hang on," she told them. "One more to make sure.
" The second picture wasn't as good since their surprise was waning, but she wanted to make sure Kenny had some mementos since he summoned up the courage to approach Rhys.
She handed the phone back to him. "There you go. "
Kenny's face shone with gratitude. "Thanks so much.
" He extended a hand for Rhett to shake.
"I really appreciate it." Turning to Rhys, he shook his hand, too.
"It was great getting to meet you. I have all your records and listen to them all the time.
Thanks for letting me get my picture made with you. "
"No problem." Though Rhys was still smiling, there was an edge to it that clearly indicated the encounter was over. Kenny must have got the hint because he retreated back to his own table. Rhett swore his feet didn't touch the floor.
Rhys turned back to her, and that edgy smile blossomed into a grin. "'Fill 'Er Up?'"
Rhett spread her hands wide. "Hey, everyone I know always smiles when they hear it. I thought it was a good idea at the time."
"It was a brilliant idea. Well done." He rose from his chair and picked up the trash-laden tray. "Ready to go?"
"Does that happen to you a lot?" Rhett asked once they were back in the car. "People coming up to you and asking for pictures?"
"I wouldn't say a lot, but it does happen. These days people are more apt to take stealth snaps with their mobiles rather than approach me." His voice was matter of fact. "I'm used to it."
"Does it bother you?" He'd taken Kenny's interruption in stride, but she picked up on the detachment and the touch of impatience that accompanied it.
"People like that guy back there, no. If they try to sit down and join me, though, it's more than a bother.
But when they just want to say hello and get a quick photo, I don't mind.
" He shook his head. "One of the reasons I hate going to clubs and such is because people will just suddenly pop up next to me out of nowhere, hold out their mobile and fire off a quick snap without asking.
Ten seconds later the picture shows up on SnapChat or Instagram or X, captioned something like 'Partying with Rhys James!
' That kind of thing really annoys me. I don't know those people, and I'm sure as hell not partying with them. "
It was the first time Rhett had considered anything like that, and she felt a rush of sympathy for the man beside her. Face plastered all over the internet next to rude idiots claiming some kind of connection with him. Suddenly she felt unsure about taking those two pictures in the restaurant.
"So, you think that Kenny guy will post those pictures from tonight online?"
"Probably." Rhys's shrug was philosophical.
"But even if he does put them on Facebook or something, that's cool.
Guys like that will just write something like, 'Can't believe I ran into Rhys James at Taco Fuckin' Bell.
Illicit Rocks!'" The last two words were spoken in a voice that could have come straight out of Wayne's World, and he even threw up rock hands for good measure.
He glanced over at Rhett with a smile as she tried to stifle her giggles.
"By the way, it was very thoughtful of you to offer to take the pictures for him. "
"I hope that was okay. I just thought they'd mean more to him if he was in them with you. That's the kind of picture I'd want. Remember, I'm a fan, too. Illicit Rocks!"
Even though her accent came out more Garth than Wayne, Rhys appeared delighted with it.
And delighted didn't even begin to describe Rhett's reaction to his laugh.
It was hard not to pull out her own cell phone and take what Rhys referred to as stealth snaps, just so she could look at them later and remember the way he made her feel when she was with him.
All too soon they were back at the condos and in the elevator headed to the fourteenth floor.
Rhett tried not to let her excitement wane, but it was difficult when her coach turned more into a pumpkin with each floor they passed.
When they reached Rhett's stop, she tried to beat down a sudden attack of nerves.
"Thanks so much for tonight, Rhys," she said softly. "You turned what started out to be a horrible night into something great."
He put his foot in front of the elevator door as it tried to close.
"I'm glad." Surprising her, he reached out and tucked her hair behind one ear.
"I had a great time, too, even though it was just fun and not an adventure.
I'll try to ramp up the adventurous side of things next time.
" He leaned forward and brushed a feather-soft kiss across her cheek. "Goodnight, Rhett."
"'Night, Rhys."
Next time! There was going to be a next time. Hand cupped over the cheek he kissed, Rhett floated into Mel's condo on a wave of thankfulness that even though it had taken her forty-two years, her fairy godmother had finally stepped up.