Two tall, bulky men are standing stoically on the sidewalk, waiting for us.
“This is Stan and Henry. They’re security for tonight,” Leo murmurs and turns to the men. “You don’t let her out of your sight, ever. Got it?”
“Got it, sir,” Stan replies and they both nod.
“Uh, Leo…” I look up at him with a frown. “Is this necessary?”
“Yes,” he replies and cups my cheek in his hand. “It’s a packed house, and I won’t take any chances with your safety.”
Jesus, it’s then it occurs to me that I’m out with Leo Nash. Lead singer and founder of the worldwide sensation Nash. I’m not out with Leo, my boyfriend.
Oh boy.
“Okay.” I smile at him reassuringly and pat his chest with my free hand. “Lead the way.”
He nods at his security guys, and one leads us in and the other walks in behind us. The band has just begun playing a cover of a Nirvana song. It’s still early in the set. The music hits us like a wall as we walk into the large club. The stage is big and in the far back. Most of the patrons are gathered around the stage, drinks in the air, dancing and enjoying the music.
Leo leads me to a booth in the main bar area with a full view of the stage, motions for me to slide in and then joins me, sitting beside me rather than across from me. The security guys sit at an empty table right next to us.
“What can I get you?” A waitress yells above the music.
Leo raises an eyebrow at me. “I’ll take a dirty martini.”
He smirks and gives the waitress my order, along with a beer for himself and all of the bar food I want. He grips my hand in his and kisses my knuckles and smiles down at me. “Do you like Nirvana?”
“Do I live in Seattle?” I respond and wrinkle my nose at him. “Duh.”
He laughs and we settle in and watch the band, the people milling about. No one is paying us any attention, and I can’t help but think that hiring security was a bit over the top.
No one even cares that we’re here.
Our drinks and food arrive and Leo leans in to yell into the waitress’s ear. She smiles and nods and turns away.
“What did you say to her?” I ask loudly and shove a delicious potato skin piled with sour cream into my mouth.
“You’re so classy.” He laughs and wipes a glob of sour cream from my lip.
“I know.” I shrug and keep eating.
“I told her to let the band’s people know I’m here.”
“Oh, cool.” We eat and listen, people watch. Glancing at Leo, I see a trail of sweat drip down his neck.
“You’re sweating.” I frown. “Take your beanie off, babe.”
He shakes his head and looks around the room. “Not yet.”
He’s completely over-reacting. “No one here has even looked at you twice,” I remind him.
“Not yet,” he says again and reaches for a cheese stick.
“We should offer Thing One and Thing Two some food.” There is still a ton of food that we’ll never be able to finish.
He smiles down at me and wraps an arm around my shoulders. “They’re about to earn their paychecks.”
Just then the band ends a song and starts talking to the audience. “Hey, Seattle, are you having a fuckin’ good time yet?”
The crowd goes crazy, screaming and whooping, and I grin. I love live shows.
“What would you say if I told you I have a surprise for you?” The lead singer asks and takes a long swig of water. More cheers. “An old friend of mine is here.”
“That’s our cue,” Leo murmurs to me and nods to security. “Come on.”
“I’m not going on stage,” I protest, and he laughs.
“No, you’re going to be in the wings. I don’t want you in this crowd.” We join our burly security. “I want you guys to escort her to the wings. They’re expecting you and will show you where to go.”
They nod and off we go through the crowd.
“Have you guys heard of a little band called Nash?” The crowd explodes in applause and cheers. “How about the ugly front guy they have, Leo?”
We are led to the right side of the stage and through a door and to an immediate left, and I’m told to stay right here, behind a black curtain. I’m looking onto the stage, and can see the whole band.
“Well,” the singer continues, “I knew Leo back in the day when he was just singing around Seattle, and it just so happens that he’s in town and has dropped by to see us!”
He has to stop speaking because the cheers are deafening. I can’t help but bounce on the balls of my feet in excitement, my throat clenches in joy and I grasp my hands together, holding them against my chest.
Suddenly, from the other side of the stage, Leo hops up and joins the singer, giving him a real hug and whispering in his ear. He’s pulled his beanie off, showing his messy light brown hair and piercings. He’s still in his blazer, but he takes it off and throws it off stage to someone in the wings.
The girls scream some more as he stands there in just his Levi’s tee, the sleeves hugging his muscular, tattooed arms. Dear Lord, he’s beautiful.
And completely in his element.
He’s grinning widely, waving and nodding at the crowd, and he takes a mic when it’s offered to him.
“Hey, Seattle!”
More screams, and I clap along with the crowd. Leo turns his head and finds me behind the black curtain and winks.
“So bro, what do you want to do?” His friend asks him.
“Well… I don’t know.” He frowns and looks out at the fans. “Do you guys want to hear something?”
Well, that’s a stupid question. The girls go mad, and Leo laughs.
“You’re welcome to borrow my guitar, man.”
“Nah.” Leo shakes his head and motions to the piano. “Can I jack your piano?”
“Anything you want.”
The pianist stands and bows to Leo and the whole band exits the stage, saying hi to me as they pass, and Leo is alone on stage. Whoever is running the lights points a spotlight on him, dimming the rest of the stage.
I can’t look away. I can’t blink.