Suite Dreams Read online

  A guy came and sat at our table. Mel mouthed Zach. I wondered how he felt watching Jude play—because he was really awesome. Or at least he sounded incredible to me.

  Before the last song, Boomer introduced the band members to the audience. He called Jude their guest drummer from Australia—which got a round of cheers. Jude stood up and bowed. He pointed his sticks at me, grinned, and winked.

  I waved, feeling as though I was special because of the attention he was showering on me.

  When the last song finished, Zach got up to help the band get their equipment off the stage. I sat at the table while Mel went to get sodas for everyone. Since Zach took over the putting away of the drums, Jude was the first to return to the table.

  His eyes capturing mine, he bent down, swooping toward me, and I thought, Omigod! He’s going to kiss me! A real kiss this time.

  But at the last second he veered off and just bussed my cheek before dropping into the chair beside me, everything done in one smooth move. I wondered if he played in a band in Australia, if he had groupies that he was accustomed to kissing like that.

  Part of me was disappointed that it hadn’t been a real kiss, part of me was glad. If he ever did really kiss me, I didn’t want it to be quick. Or in a room filled with screaming, temporarily insane people. And why was I even thinking of him really kissing me?

  I still kind of had a boyfriend. Did it make me slutty to think about kissing another guy so soon after not officially breaking up with Rick?

  I certainly couldn’t accuse Jude of not talking. No, he definitely wasn’t the strong, silent type. He was the fun-loving, life-is-all-about-having-a-good-time guy.

  “You were really good,” I told him, leaning near so he could hear me. “Are you part of a band back home?”

  “Just me and my mates goofing around, you know? Never really played a gig like this. Just the talent show at school. That sort of thing.”

  “You looked like a real pro up there.”

  “I will admit that I have some moves.”

  Mel brought the drinks over just as the rest of the band was joining us. “Once a waitress, always a waitress,” she joked, as everyone took a glass.

  Boomer leaned down and planted a kiss on her mouth that had me growing warm. Then he sat and gave his attention to Jude. “Seriously, dude, thanks for helping out tonight.”

  “No problem.”

  The next band got set up and then music filled the club again. Jude grabbed my hand. “Come on!”

  He pulled me to my feet before I could protest.

  “Where are we going? What—”

  “We’re gonna dance!”

  He led me to what passed for the dance area—a narrow strip of flooring where the tables had been pushed back.

  “Uh, I don’t know how,” I confessed.

  “You were dancing on the chair,” he leaned in and yelled in my ear.

  I shook my head. I didn’t think it was possible for the music to be any louder. “No, that was just wiggling!”

  “It’s perfect.”

  Then he was bobbing, dancing around, the whole time his eyes locked on mine. I realized that even if I looked spastic, which I probably did—thank goodness there were no mirrors hanging around so I could confirm that suspicion—he wouldn’t notice because he was concentrating on my gaze, his eyes holding mine as though we were the only two in the place.

  I’d had zero dates in high school. Being with Rick was the sum total of my dating experience, and I wasn’t certain I could say we’d ever actually had a date. We’d just started…hanging out together. Going to the library to study, snuggling on the couch, and watching TV. We’d fallen into habits. I wasn’t sure we’d ever fallen in love.

  Tonight with Jude wasn’t a date. Not in anyone’s wildest imagination would it be viewed as a date. We were both here because circumstances had brought us together. Still, I was having a great time—dancing for the first time with a guy. And because it was Jude, who had such a positive outlook on life, I wasn’t even self-conscious about my moves—once I got into them anyway. Being with Jude was just fun—it didn’t seem so complicated like everything with Rick.

  I was having so much fun that I really didn’t want the night to end.

  But it did end. At two o’clock the last band finished playing and the club closed down.

  We were outside, saying good-bye, when Mel said, “Oh, I forgot to tell you. We’ve got appointments at the spa tomorrow.”

  Oh, gosh, I’d forgotten all about her wanting to do that. I looked at Jude, then looked at Mel.

  “What’s this?” Jude asked.

  “The ski resort has this to-die-for spa,” Mel said. “Alyssa and I have appointments tomorrow for the royal treatment.”

  “Actually, I don’t think tomorrow is going to work for me. Jude doesn’t know anyone—”

  “He can come with us,” Mel said.

  Jude and I both released a burst of laughter at the same time. I couldn’t see him with a mud-pack on his face.

  He caught his breath first and said, “You want me to get a manicure? No thank you.”

  “A massage and facial, then,” Mel said.

  “That sounds even worse,” Jude said.

  “You ski?” Boomer asked.

  “No,” Jude said, “but I’d like to give it a try.”

  “You can hang out on the slopes with me.”

  “Sounds great,” Jude said. “So we’re all set then?”

  His gaze had zeroed in on me. I nodded. “Yeah, sure.”

  “All right. We’ll pick you up tomorrow,” Mel said. “Do you want a ride home tonight?”

  “I’d just as soon walk if you don’t mind,” Jude said to me.

  “I don’t mind.” The truth was that I needed a little time to come down from the energetic high I was on.

  It had started to snow again, huge flakes that floated slowly to the ground. As Jude and I walked along, the streetlights illuminated them and then they disappeared into the darkness.

  “Gawd, it’s cold!” Jude exclaimed.

  Laughing, I said, “You’re such a wuss.”

  I slipped my arm through his, pressing our shoulders close, to create a little friction, a little warmth. And even with the thick coats between us, I felt a zing.

  “Well, that helps, a little, I guess,” Jude said. “Is it always this cold?”

  “Not always. Sometimes it’s colder.”

  We trudged on in silence for a little while, before I said, “I’m really sorry you had to work tonight.”

  “Not a problem at all.”

  “But you’re on vacation.”

  “No, I’m on holiday, with very little money in my pockets, and it worked out grand because Paul hired me to work tomorrow night as well. Actually, as long as I’m here. I get a meal and a share of the tips. Besides, what else have I got to do?”

  “You’re kidding! Paul hired you?”

  “Yeah. I thought he seemed like a decent enough bloke. Told him I had to work the same schedule as you, though. Since you’re my tour guide and all.”

  I was feeling like I’d done a pretty decent job today, and tonight.

  Still I was feeling a little unsure about things, afraid I was slipping into a complicated situation like I’d had with Rick.

  “You know, you don’t have to do everything with me,” I said awkwardly. “I mean, I can give you my cell phone number and then you can just call me when you need to get into the dorm and I could come down and let you in.”

  “What if you’re out?”

  “With classes starting Monday, believe me, I won’t be out.”

  “Probably not a bad idea to get your number, but as long as you’re not tired of me, I’d just as soon hang out with you.”

  “I’m not tired of you at all. I just wanted you to know you had options.”

  “Now I know.”

  He grinned at me as though I was silly for even suggesting that he needed options.

  Since it was so late when