Make Me Yours(37)
Sometimes I’m so glad he’s back. Right now isn’t one of those times. “You should know what this is like. You were the target of their crap for a while.”
“Longer than a while.” He puts an arm around Drew and pulls her closer. “Now I don’t really give a shit.”
Drew melts into his side, and the jukebox switches off, leaving the room momentarily silent. Loud music filters through the ancient bar, and a gameshow-style announcer steps to the center of a brand-new stage.
“I can’t believe they actually invested money in this place.”
The guy calls out some woman named Elizabeth, and I feel Remi’s arm snake around my waist. He pulls me closer and speaks low in my ear as Elizabeth launches into a pretty decent rendition of “Hips Don’t Lie.”
“Hey, I’m really sorry about all that bullshit with Phillip. I had no idea he’d do something so stupid.”
My jaw tightens, and I know I shouldn’t be mad at Remi. It’s not his fault.
“Is he serious?” I look around the room, wondering who here is going to add to the rumor mill. “Or is he just taking a cheap shot at me?”
Looking over my shoulder, my eyes meet Remi’s and I see real anger there. “He’d better not be doing it to hurt you. Maybe I should have a talk with him—”
Shifting around, I grasp his forearm. “Don’t. Serena’s been making cracks at me all my life. If this is just adult bullying, I can deal with it. The last thing I want is to play their game.”
His brow lowers, and I have to say, angry, protective Remi might be the sexiest version I’ve seen so far. “I don’t like people being shitty when it comes to you. I won’t put up with it from Eleanor, and I sure as hell won’t put up with it from Phillip North.”
“You probably shouldn’t put your arm around me like that. We’re just friends, remember?”
His eyes hold mine with such intensity, I’m not sure he remembers, but it doesn’t matter. Elizabeth is finished, and the Karaoke DJ calls his name. “Can we get Remi to the stage? Remi, are you still here?”
Drew squeals and claps. “I put you in! Ruby said you sing, so I put you in for Kenny Rogers.”
A smile curls his lips. “You’ve been talking about me to Drew?”
My throat goes dry, and holy shit, if she put in that song…
He slips out of the booth and walks toward the stage as the piano riff that opens “She Believes in Me” rings through the bar. A few people hoot, and a few others stand to slow dance.
Remi takes the mic and walks to where I’m sitting in the booth and proceeds to sing the song directly to me. My skin hums with electricity, and I can’t take my eyes off him, sexy, his voice touching my heart. I’ve never really paid attention to the words. Now that I hear them, I feel like I can’t breathe.
He sings it so rich and perfect. His style is different from Kenny Rogers’s, but it’s still so good. My eyes get hot. I do believe in him… it makes me start to laugh. I’m such an idiot.
He finishes, and Drew screams like Kenny Rogers is really in the building. All I can do is smile and clap, but the room goes wild.
He does a little bow before sliding into the booth beside me and kissing my cheek. I don’t even care who sees. “You’re a hit.”
“How did she know to pick that song?” His eyes say he knows the answer, and I just want to make out with him right here on the spot.
“I might have told her it was your favorite.”
His arm goes around me again, and he speaks in my ear, giving me a shiver. “It was never my favorite until I met you.”
The DJ calls out Dagwood Magee, and my head snaps to meet Drew’s face. Both our mouths are wide open, and he launches into a version of Elton John’s “I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues.”
Gray starts to laugh. “Biggest Elton John fan I’ve ever known.”
Drew pushes his shoulder, and he slides out, taking her hand. They proceed to slow dance in front of the table, and Remi looks at me, a question in his eyes.
Inhaling deeply, I consider it for a hot minute. “We’d better not. People are already talking about us, and you have to think about Lillie.”
“I think about Lillie a lot.” He smooths a curl off my cheek and tucks it behind my ear. I love when he does that. “I want to think about you, too.”
The song ends, and Remi gives me a little squeeze. “I’ll get us another round.”
Gray claps his hand, and they take off together toward the bar. Drew scoots around to me, and she’s glued to my side.
“I loooove Remi!” She’s bouncing on the red vinyl. “You have to date him now.”
“What the hell? You just agreed with me I can’t date him because it would be too risky with Lillie involved.”
“Yeah, but I’m rethinking that position.” She takes another sip of lemonade, and she’s so giddy, I’m wondering if it’s spiked. No, my bestie would never take a chance with her baby. “Lillie’s getting older, and that voice!” She falls back clutching her chest.
“His voice is amazing.” I polish off my tequila, remembering when he sang in my ear. Panty-melter! “Either way, I’m screwed with the monster-in-law. She pretty much hates me.”