Chapter 12
“What’s the rush?” Tom asked as I started packing up my stuff with a singular focus. “We were going to hit up the brewery one last time before we left, remember?”
With just five days to go until the opening show, we’d been hitting it hard, nailing down every song. Every day between the hours of eleven and six we holed up inside this room, running the set list front to back and back to front until not even one note escaped us. Then Lily would come in after a gruelling session with the dancers and we’d run it again.
Dread and excitement warred inside of me. I’d never dreaded going on tour before.
“Can’t,” I said, biting back my smile as I picked up my guitar case. I shot him an apologetic smile. “Something came up.”
The same thing that came up almost every night. Liv.
Alex chuckled. “I think I know what something looks like.”
He leaned against an amp, sweat shining on his skin.
“So do I.” Andy crossed his arms and smirked at me. “And it has pretty green eyes and the voice of an angel.”
“Funny you’re seeing romance everywhere, Andy.” I grinned at him, a tiny amount of guilt hitting me for the bus I was about to throw him under. “Wouldn’t have anything to do with that date you went on before we left Wales, would it?”
Alex and Tom turned to him, their brows risen and shit-eating grins spreading across their faces.
“Have you been holding out on us, boyo?” Alex asked, prowling towards him.
Andy paled and started backing away. I didn’t stick around to find out what lie he’d make up. He absolutely wouldn’t admit to Alex’s face that he’d taken his baby sister out and hadn’t stopped texting her since we’d left LA.
* * *
An hour and a half later, I helped Liv into the SUV with Anderson in the front seat.
“Should I bother asking where we’re going?” Liv asked.
I shook my head at her, smiling as she rolled her eyes.
“Right, that would spoil the surprise.”
“You’re getting it, Carolina girl.”
I shut her door, cutting off her chuckle and rounded the car. Normally, Anderson would do all of this, but I didn’t want to be that person with Liv. We had so little time together before the tour, and I needed her to see me beneath the rock star, before the clamouring fans, reporters and constant paparazzi.
“How about a tiny hint?” Liv asked when I slid into my seat. She leaned across the centre seat, batting her lashes at me as her face hovered kissably close.
“Nice try, cariad.” I pressed a soft, chaste kiss to her lips and sat back, grinning. “You’re going to love it. Pretty sure I’ve outdone myself this time.”
She sat back, shaking her head. “That would be hard to do at this point.”
“Just you wait and see.” I took her hand, threading our fingers together while I savoured this warm and fuzzy feeling in my chest.
Twenty minutes later, we stood on a rooftop, in our own private dining area. It was like stumbling into a dream, a hidden slice of Southern charm carved out of the LA concrete. Pergolas dripped with twinkling lights, framing intimate seating areas with breathtaking views of the city below.
The city lights sparkled, the views almost unrestricted from our corner table. A partition stood between us, wrapped in sheer drapes that fluttered in the warm breeze. It protected us from the eyes and ears of the rest of the restaurant.
“What do you think?” I asked, tugging Liv beneath my shoulder and squeezing her against me.
“Is that a magnolia tree?” Awe filled her voice.
“We’re so close to the tour kick off, I wanted to do something that would help with your homesickness.”
She glanced up at me, her vibrant green eyes shimmering with curiosity and something akin to anticipation.
“Lewis, you sly dog!” Sawyer Buchanan said as he stepped onto the patio, his arms flung wide and his smile contagious. He engulfed me in a bear hug, slapping my back. “’Bout time you put in an appearance. We opened weeks ago!”
Sawyer was a bear of a man, all broad shoulders and towering height that must have made manoeuvring around a kitchen galley hard. His dark hair was swept back in a ponytail that looked odd against his chef’s whites.
I winced, pulling back. “Sorry, man. The tour prep has taken a lot.”
“I can imagine, but I’ve got my ticket and I’m looking forward to the show so I guess I can’t hold it against you.”
I chuckled. “Thanks. And I appreciate you making this happen last minute.”
“No need to thank me. You’re welcome any time.” Sawyer waved his hand, brushing the whole thing aside as his attention zeroed in on Liv. “And who might this sweet thing be?”
“Olivia Monroe.” She stepped forward, offering her hand.
He shook her hand with a calculating glint in his eyes. “And who are you to Lewis?” Sawyer asked, eying me.
Liv glanced at me, biting her lip with clear uncertainty.
“None of that,” he said, his blue eyes narrowing on us. “My mouth is like a steel trap. Nothing’s getting out and Lewis here knows it.”
I sighed. “It’s new, Sawyer. Don’t pressure us like that.”
He grinned. “Not to worry, you just told me more than you know.” Then his attention returned to Liv. “Sawyer Buchanan. Welcome to Whiskey and Lace. I consider this place my Southern fusion food baby.”
“A Michelin star food baby.”
“Too right.” Sawyer beamed. “Delighted to be at your beck and call tonight. I hope you’ll enjoy my little slice of home.”
Liv glanced around again, taking all the intricate details in. “It’s lovely.”
“That it is.” Sawyer ushered us across the patio with a grin. “Now, let’s get this party started, shall we? Got a little surprise cooking up just for y’all.”
I pulled out Liv’s chair, my fingers grazing the nape of her neck as she sat. She shivered and I bit back a smile, taking my own seat across from her. A waiter poured the wine, a rich Cabernet that painted Liv’s mouth in shades of temptation.
“To the woman who’s already turning my world upside down,” I toasted, raising my glass.
She ducked her head, peeking up at me through her lashes. “Flatterer.” But she bumped her glass against mine all the same, taking a sip that stained her lips even darker.
The urge to lean across the table and chase that wine with my tongue hit like a freight train. I gripped the stem of my glass a little tighter, forcing myself to focus on the waitstaff streaming onto the patio, arms laden with covered dishes.
“Starting off with a taste of my Louisiana roots,” he announced, placing a shallow bowl in front of each of us. “Shrimp and grits, kicked up with Cajun spice and love.”
The scent of garlic and cayenne wafted up, making my mouth water. But it was the look of pure bliss on Liv’s face as she took her first bite that really did me in.
Her eyes fluttered closed as she inhaled deeply.
“My lord, it smells just like home.” Her accent thickened, voice wavering slightly.
I reached across the table, covering her hand with mine. “Figured I couldn’t bring you back to South Carolina for a couple of months, but I could bring a little southern to you.”
“You figured right.” She squeezed my hand. “I didn’t realise how homesick I’d been. It’s silly, I know, what with the tour starting so soon…”
“It’s not silly at all.” I rubbed my thumb over her knuckles soothingly. “This is a big change, a big step. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed or out of sorts.”
“You’re too sweet.” She dabbed at her eyes. “Goodness, ignore me being all weepy. Let’s dig in before this feast gets cold!”
And so we did, with Anderson, ever the discreet guardian, keeping a watchful eye from a distance. My lips curled as the waiters set up another table for him and Sawyer forced him to sit. If you were in his space, you were eating, and refusing was a grave insult he wouldn’t forget.
“Now aren’t you glad you trust me to surprise you?” I reached out, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. My fingertips grazed the petal-soft skin of her cheek.
“Yes. Not even in my wildest dreams could I have imagined the last week and a half with you.” She leaned into my touch, her lips curving into a smile that could outshine the sun. “It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.”
Pride and affection burned through my chest as I watched her savour each bite. I’d never met someone who wore their heart so openly, who embraced every experience with such unbridled joy. It was magnetic, intoxicating in a way I’d never encountered before.
“Damn, Buchanan,” I said around my own mouthful, the flavours exploding on my tongue. “If the music thing doesn’t work out, I might just have to steal you away to the UK. Open up a Southern joint in Cardiff, yeah?”
Sawyer laughed as he stopped by our table with another dish. “Not a chance, Davies. Gonna take more than your wild ideas to transplant me.”
Liv giggled, swiping a hunk of bread through the rich, velvety roux. “Can’t blame him for trying though. You’ve got a gift, Sawyer.”
“Well, I do declare, Miss Olivia,” Sawyer drawled, pressing a hand to his chest. “You sure do know how to charm a fella.”
“Don’t let him fool you,” I stage-whispered to Liv. “This one’s got charm for days. Used to sweet talk his way out of all sorts of trouble before he landed himself a Michelin star.”
He just shook his head and left us to our meals without a comment.
“I think this is on a par with Mama Jo’s cooking back home.” Liv took another bite and groaned. “She’s the owner of the diner I used to work at. It’s one of my first stops whenever I go back to Jasmine Bay.”
“The more you talk about home, the more I want to see it for myself.” I reached across the table, tangling my fingers with hers.
She smiled, soft and sweet, giving my hand a squeeze. “Guess we’ll just have to go rogue when we get to Savannah.”
“I’d like that,” I murmured, rubbing my thumb across her knuckles. “I’d like that a lot.”
We laughed and joked our way through the first course, the easy flow of conversation warming me more than the food or the wine ever could.
We both sipped, letting the rich wine linger on our tongues. When Sawyer reappeared to whisk away our empty bowls, I caught his eye, mouthing a silent “thank you.” He simply winked, disappearing back into the shadows with a knowing grin.
I turned back to Liv, drinking in the way the soft twinkle of the lights played across her skin, the curl of her lips as she smiled at me over the rim of her glass. Every cell in my body strained towards her, pulled by a force I couldn’t begin to understand. All I knew was I’d never wanted anyone the way I wanted her—mind, body, and soul.
Leaning across the table, I brushed a smear of wine from the corner of her mouth. Her breath hitched, eyes darkening as my thumb grazed her bottom lip. “Liv, I?—”
“Ahem.”
We sprang apart like teenagers caught necking.
A startled laugh burst from Liv’s throat. “Lord almighty, I’m gonna put a bell on that man.”
I chuckled, running a hand through my hair as I tried to gather my scattered thoughts. “Probably wise.”
“Hate to interrupt,” he drawled, a shit-eating grin spread across his face. He absolutely enjoyed interrupting. “But it’s time for your next course.” Sawyer set the plates piled high with golden fried chicken, fluffy buttermilk biscuits, and glistening collard greens. “Best hop to it, lovebirds. Night’s still young, and the best is yet to come.”
“Good Lord, Sawyer,” Liv exclaimed, eyeing the spread. “You trying to fatten us up?”
He chuckled, laying a hand over his heart. “Darlin’, you know we show our love through food in the South. And I’ve got a whole lot of love for y’all tonight.”
I snorted, picking up a drumstick. “You’re one smooth bastard, you know that?”
“Part of my charm.” He topped off our wine once more before he sauntered off, whistling tunelessly all the way.
The chicken was crisp and juicy, the seasoning a perfect balance of salty and spicy. I let out an appreciative moan, licking the grease from my fingers.
“Okay, I take it back. You’re officially my favourite American, Sawyer!”
“Hey now!” Liv cried in mock outrage. “And what am I, chopped liver?”
I grinned, leaning across the table to swipe a smear of butter from the corner of her mouth. “Oh, you’re in a category all your own. Can’t even compare.”
She blushed, her tongue darting out to wet her lips. I tracked the movement, heat pulsing low in my belly. Christ, the things this woman did to me without even trying.
“Sorry I’m late.” A black-haired woman rushed through the patio doors, breathing hard. “I swear no matter how long I live in LA, I will never get used to the traffic.”