Strings of the Heart (Runaway Train #3)(21)

“If you don’t mind, I’m going to change the subject away from my alleged allure,” Allison said.

“Go right ahead, Sonny,” Cassie replied.

Allison focused her attention on me. “I have tomorrow night free. Would you like to get together for movie night?”

I grimaced. “I would love to, but I have this stupid bachelor auction thing I’m emceeing.”

With a teasing roll of her eyes, Allison said, “Like I haven’t heard that excuse a million times.”

I laughed. “I swear to you that it is the truth. More than anything in the world, I’d rather be watching Monty Python with you than in a monkey suit with a bunch of society ass**les.”

“I think I’ve heard about that auction. Isn’t your mother heading it up?” Cassie asked.

“Unfortunately, yes. That’s how I got roped into emceeing. The only time she likes to admit my fame is when it can best be used to suit her purposes. This time it appears having a celebrity emcee will get more people out to empty their pockets. I would have told her no, but it’s for a cause really close to my heart.”

“And which one is that?” Allison questioned softly.

“Autism research.” While I kept my eyes on the table, I could feel Allison’s inquisitive gaze on my cheeks. I’m sure she was trying to decipher the motives behind why someone like me would possibly be interested in the charity.

“That’s so sweet that you’re thinking of Lucy. I’m sure it means a lot to Brayden and Lily that you’re working to raise money for research,” she said.

I jerked my gaze up to meet hers. Although she had missed the mark, I replied, “I suppose they do.”

“Who are Brayden and Lily?” Cassie asked, as she glanced between the two of us.

“My bandmate and his wife. Lucy, their youngest daughter, was just diagnosed as a child on the autism spectrum. Hers is more of a sensory nerve disorder that the doctors think can be helped, if not corrected, with a lot of extensive physical therapy.”

“That’s a rough diagnosis. At least it sounds like there are some positives in it.”

Allison nodded. “There are no two sweeter and more patient parents than Brayden and Lily.”

“That is the truth,” I replied.

With a sweet smile, Allison said, “Well, I’ll miss having movie night with you, but at least I know it’s for a really good cause.”

Leaning forward on the table with my elbows, I cocked my head at her. “Who says we can’t spend the evening together?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why don’t you come to the auction with me? It should only run about two or three hours. We could have dinner afterwards.”

Gnawing her bottom lip between her teeth, Allison said, “Oh, I don’t know.”

Cassie nudged her playfully. “You should totally go. I mean, you’ll only end up sitting at home alone with a pint of ice cream if you don’t.”

Allison scowled at Cassie. “Thank you so much for reminding me what a loser I am with no life,” she replied sarcastically.

I laughed. “Come on. You’ll get to see even more of Savannah’s history and culture. The auction is being held at the Mercer Williams House.”

“Is that the house from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil?”

Nodding, I replied, “It sure is.”

“I thought that was more of a museum now?”

“While it is open for tours, Jim Williams’s sister still lives there. That’s how Mother was able to book the event. She goes way back with her.”

“It really does sound like fun,” Allison said, with a hesitant smile.

“Then why haven’t you said yes? I don’t think I’ve had to work this hard for a date in a long, long time.” Allison dark eyes bulged at the mention of the word “date.” Trying to backtrack, I said, “Well, you know what I mean.”

“I just don’t want this to be a pity thing.”

“A pity thing?” I repeated.

“I know that Jake asked you to check in on me because I was homesick. I don’t want you to feel like I have to tag along to everything or else I’ll be at home sitting in a dark room all depressed.”

I laughed. “This has nothing to do with pity or Jake. It’s all about you and I having fun out on the town. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“So does that mean you’ll go?”

“Yes.” But then her brow creased with worry. “It’s black tie, right?”

“Yeah. Is that a problem?”

Her hands fretted anxiously with the umbrella in her drink. “It’s just with me being new in town, all my nice dresses are back home.”

Cassie cleared her throat. “No need to fear. I have the perfect dress you can borrow.”

“You do?” Allison asked.

With a laugh, Cassie replied, “Yes, it’s a little, black couture number with the tags still on it. My dear mother brought it back from Fashion Week in Paris a few years back.” She winked at us. “It was one of her last ditch efforts at trying to feminize me.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind me borrowing it?”

Cassie rolled her eyes. “Does it look like I’m ever going to wear a dress, least of all some bullshit couture one?”