Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars(8)

When she kept her hand in his, he squeezed it, and then started walking again, coming around the corner to see a bright green sign that read LA FIESTA.

They reached the little cantina, and a woman in a bright dress greeted them with a friendly smile.

“Table for two?” she asked.

“Actually, we’re in the VIP room. Reservation is for Bowers,” he said, smiling as her eyes widened.

“Of course, Mr. Bowers. Please follow me.” The hostess turned, swishing her ample hips in a sexy sway, but Travis ignored it.

They went through a pair of wooden double doors, and Gemma dropped his hand as they reached a large booth behind a heavy curtain. Sitting down, they took their menus from the hostess, and when Travis dismissed her with a smile, she left pouting.

“I think you hurt her feelings,” Gemma said dryly, but her expression was less than amused and Travis almost grinned.

She wouldn’t be irritated or jealous if there was nothing left between them, right?

“She’ll get over it.”

Gemma tucked her hair back and asked, “So, besides making nine awesome records, one chick flick, and dating a host of hot, famous women, what have you been up to?”

“Forget me; you can read about my life in the grocery store magazine aisle. I want to know about you. What do you do in Rock Canyon?”

Gemma hesitated before answering. “Miss Addie left me her used bookstore. I renamed it Chloe’s Book Nook,” she said.

Travis felt like she was holding something back but didn’t press her. Instead, he gave a little laugh. “Chloe? As in that ornery calico cat you had to have put down?”

“Hey, I loved that cat. She was only cranky because she was old and in pain.”

“Okay, okay. How come Miss Addie left it to you?” he asked.

“I got a job working there after you left,” Gemma said softly. “We were close.”

After you left. Had her tone been accusatory, or was he imagining things? “Well, that’s great. Are you seeing someone?” He asked.

Smooth, Bowers, very smooth.

Her expression was a little guarded, and disappointment pooled in the pit of his stomach. It had been ten years, and she was gorgeous. Of course she was with someone.

“No, not really. What about you?”

Pleased, he flashed her a wide grin. “Nope, not seeing anyone.” The silence stretched between them. “How are your parents?”

The small smile on her lips dissolved, replaced by sadness and pain. “My dad died of a heart attack.”

Reaching across the table, he took her hand. “Gemma, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay; it’s been five years, and we were never really that close anyway,” she said, focusing on her menu.

Travis remembered how turbulent the relationship between Gemma and her dad had been. Dick Carlson had been the morning show host at the local radio station, and although he was amazing on the air, amiable and funny, he was the complete opposite at home. He’d once sat in her room listening to the old man scream at her for so long, it had taken all his willpower not to walk out there and deck him. Most of the time the guy had been okay, but when he was angry, her father was like the Hulk. Nobody wanted to see him like that.

Travis squeezed her hand, sorry that he’d brought it up.

“And your mom? Does she still live in town?” he asked.

“No. My mom moved to Boise to be closer to James, Drew, Dawn, and their families. She said she couldn’t stay alone in that house without Dad. So I took over her mortgage payments, got a loan, and now I’m a home owner. Yay, me.” Her laugh was a little forced, and it reminded him of all the times she’d brushed off a bullying comment someone had made about her. Gemma had always feigned indifference when he knew it really tore her up inside.

Wanting to get back the light atmosphere, he changed the subject. “Are you still friends with Mike and Gracie?”

“Yes, I am,” she said, her tone and demeanor brightening. “Gracie bought the coffee shop and renamed it The Local Bean, and Michael has his own computer business. We head out to Buck’s Shot Bar once a week for drinks, or to Hank’s for karaoke.” Smiling, she added, “You know, Buck still has a picture of you and the rest of the guys from the band up on his wall.”

Laughing, Travis said, “Ah, Buck’s. I miss that place. Used my first fake ID there, and he threw my ass out ten seconds later.”

“I remember. I had to come down and talk him out of calling the cops,” she said, shaking her head.

“I remember a pair of Toby Keith concert tickets being involved to bribe him. And you convinced him that he’d be better off using me for free entertainment.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Afterward, I believe we went down to that spot down by the river and you let me—”

“Travis!” Gemma blurted, squeezing his hand hard.

Laughing, he brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed her knuckles lightly, ignoring her attempt to jerk her hand back in surprise. “If it hadn’t been for you, I might not have made it out of high school, let alone had the career I’ve had. I owe you.”

Gemma’s eyes drifted down, but she stopped trying to pull away. “You deserved it. You’re very talented, Travis.”

“So, I take it you bought a couple of my CDS?” he asked.