Delaney shook her head and sighed. “There you go being all charming again.”
“Well, I’m a charming kind of guy, but sugar, if you think that dude is just your landlord, I will French kiss a baboon’s bright red ass because, let me tell you, that is a man in love.” He said the word love as if it had a dozen syllables, and Delaney flushed with both denial and hope.
She glanced Grant’s way. Sissy was still trying to engage him but now he seemed to be paying more attention to what was going on up on the stage. Delaney began playing another song, something from Coldplay, or maybe Maroon 5. Honestly, her brain wasn’t registering it. It was just all in her fingers.
She shook her head at Reggie. “He’s not in love. He can’t be. We hardly know each other. There hasn’t been enough time to fall in love.”
Reggie set his chin on one fisted hand, elbows on the piano. “Not enough time? How much time you think it takes, sugar? I can fall in love in fifteen minutes. Ten if I’m between sets.”
Delaney chuckled. “That’s not love, Reggie. That’s hardly even lust.”
His smile was broad as he tipped his head in agreement. “All right. You might have me on that, but trust me, sometimes a minute is all it takes if it’s the right one, and that guy is not kidding around with you. I’ve seen that look in a man’s eye before.”
She started playing “Love Me Tender,” as if her fingers wanted to help convince her brain that Reggie might be speaking some truth.
“What look?” she asked him.
“The one that says he’s about ready to come over here and kick my ass. He doesn’t like me. He thinks I’ve been flirting with you for the past three days.”
“Haven’t you been?”
“Hells, yeah, but that’s just me. I mean, I could fall in love with you, if you wanted me to, but it seems like you got enough going on right now. Plus I’d rather your fella didn’t go all King Kong on me and start ripping off my appendages, starting with my Little Reggie.”
Delaney might have laughed again, but her nerves were frayed. “I think you’re exaggerating, and I think you’re misreading this whole situation, but either way, please don’t tell anyone. I’m going to explain all this to him soon, very soon. Either tonight or tomorrow, but right now I have nothing but the clothes on my back and no way to get home. I have to get my wallet and stuff back. It’s complicated, but keep this secret for me and I’ll owe you. I promise. I’ll even introduce you to my dad if you want.”
Reggie scoffed at her. “Hey, I’d love to meet your dad, yeah? But you don’t have to worry about me keeping your dirty little secrets. I might not come across as a very reputable guy, but in spite of my voracious appetite for frisky women, I’m actually a pretty decent human being. You can trust me.”
Her stomach felt like a cement mixer. “Yeah, well, no offense, but the last guy who said you can trust me ended up getting me on film.”
“Douche bag,” Reggie said shaking his head, then he stood up and leaned away from the piano.
Delaney spotted Grant from the corner of her eye coming their way.
“Well, shucks,” Reggie said, chuckling. “Looks like I’ve exceeded my time limit, yeah? Here comes your landlord to open up a can of whup-ass, but he won’t get any details out of me. I promise. Secret to the grave, honeybun.” He kissed his fingertips and held them out in a vow.
A few more strides and Grant stepped up on the stage. He sat down on the piano bench next to Delaney. “You two look like you’re plotting something.” His smile was for her alone, but Reggie spoke up first.
“Just talking about monkey butts and movies we didn’t like, yeah?”
Grant’s gaze was still on Delaney. “Yeah?” he said.
“Yeah,” Delaney answered. “Reggie here is partial to kissing baboons.”
Grant smirked. “Well, I don’t know what any baboon might have done to deserve that, but if it keeps Reggie busy, I’m all for it.”
Reggie’s laugh was good-natured and Delaney started to relax once more. He’d keep her secret. There was no advantage in him telling anyone, and the offer of introducing the band to her dad had been genuine. That was a free spin in Reggie’s pocket and he was smart enough to keep it.
“Monkey business is just monkey business,” Reggie said. “But your lady here isn’t interested. Guess she’s not the girl I thought she was.”
Delaney shot him a look, but he winked at her and jumped off the stage. “Nope. Oh, and by the way, Clark landed us another free room, so you two will just have to make due in the Burning Love Suite without me and Finch.”
Now Grant looked over at Reggie. “Really?”
“Finch already moved our duds to the other room. You’re welcome.” He bowed, then turned and walked away.
“Is he serious?” Grant’s gaze was optimistic.