the majority of which were navy and gray skirt and slack suits. She had one formal dress that she’d worn to the Lawson party and her go-to jersey wrap dress in a deep navy blue. She took the navy dress from the rack and laid it out on the bed then went to hop in the shower.
* * *
Avery’s hands shook ever so slightly as she put silver hoops in her ears. Nervous. What did she have to be jittery about? She was going to a jazz club with her best friend, something she’d done hundreds of times. But none of those times had Rafe Lawson invited her.
Her heart beat faster. She drew in a long, deep breath and briefly shut her eyes. Just another night out, she told herself. She took her purse from the dresser, dropped her wallet, keys and phone inside and headed out.
* * *
It took a bit of time to find parking. The lot behind Blues Alley was full and street parking was at a premium. Avery finally found a spot two blocks off Constitution Avenue. The short walk back gave her a chance to put on her game face and settle the flare-up of nerves.
As she approached the club she spotted Kerry standing outside with her focus on her cell phone. She glanced up and smiled when she saw Avery.
“Hey.”
“Hi. You weren’t waiting long, were you?”
“No, just got here,” Kerry said.
“Parking is crazy.”
“I know, I think I got the last spot in the lot.”
“Lucky.”
They both turned toward the entrance and went inside. It had been a while since she’d been to Blues Alley. The last act she’d seen perform was a special appearance by Wynton Marsalis.
“Good evening, ladies. Do you have a reservation?” the hostess asked.
“No. We don’t,” Kerry said.
“It might be a bit of a wait for a table.”
Avery and Kerry took a quick look around. The club was full.
“Busy night,” Avery commented.
“Quinten Parker always draws a crowd. I can get you a setup at the bar until a table opens.”
The friends took a quick glance at each other and nodded in unified agreement.
“Right this way.” The hostess led them over to the bar and took their names for the waiting list.
“Didn’t think about making reservations for a weeknight,” Kerry said as she hopped up on the bar stool. “The band is really good.”
“I think I have one of his early CDs,” Avery said. She placed her purse on her lap and looked around.
“You see him?” Kerry asked knowingly.
Avery adjusted her bottom on the stool. “No.” She linked her fingers together and worked at being unconcerned. But that didn’t stop her pulse from jackhammering in her veins.
“What can I get you, ladies?” The bartender wiped the spaces in front of them with a damp cloth.
“Apple martini,” Avery said.
“Make that two,” Kerry added.
“Coming right up.” He placed a bowl of mixed nuts and one of taco chips with dip in front of them.
* * *
Rafe walked out front from the greenroom along with Quinten to check the crowd.
“You definitely can bring them in,” Rafe said, congratulating Quinten with a pat on the back.
“Blues Alley is my second home when I leave New York.”
“Haven’t been to New York for a minute,” Rafe said. He leaned against the frame of the archway. “Need to get this next album finished.”
“How much more to go?”
“At least three more tracks to lay down.”
“Your last one was off the chain, man.” They bumped fists. “Anytime you want to come up to Harlem I have some of the best engineers in the business. Pure genius. And the next project we need to do together.”
Rafe slowly nodded in agreement. “Yeah. For sure.” He turned his head and when a waitress moved he spotted Avery at the bar. “Be right back.” He started off before Quinten could respond.
Rafe glided between tables and around bodies blocking his pathway to the bar. He eased behind her.
“Glad you could make it,” he whispered against her neck.
Avery felt her entire body tingle. She angled toward him as he came up beside her.
“Rafe,” she managed to say and was caught up for a moment in the light of his eyes.
Kerry turned.
Avery cleared her throat. “Rafe Lawson, this is my friend Kerry Holt. Kerry, Rafe Lawson.”
“Pleasure.” He gave Kerry a gallant nod and a smile. “I have a table,” he said to them both, but his focus was on Avery. “You’re more than welcome, unless you prefer the bar.”
“Absolutely not,” Kerry answered for them both. She stuck a twenty under the bowl of nuts to cover both their drinks, then slid down off her bar stool.
Avery wanted to elbow Kerry but restrained herself. “Thanks. They didn’t say how long the wait for a table would be.”
“My pleasure.” He placed his hand on her lower back as she got off the stool.
“Right this way.”
Avery used all of her concentration to put one foot in front of the other to avoid succumbing to the heat of his large hand right above the rise of her rear.
“It’s the one in the center, up front,” he said close to her ear and she knew it was that thing he did to get close to her and it worked—again.
They stopped at the table and Rafe helped them both into their seats. “Can I get you ladies anything?”
“We’re good for now,” Avery said, and held up her half-finished drink.
Rafe nodded. “Totally understand. But when you get hungry they have a great menu and it’s on the house.”
“Oh, you don’t have to−”
Kerry cut her off. “Thank you. That’s very generous.”
Rafe took a step back. “Enjoy your evening, ladies. See you later?” he stated to Avery in a mouthed whisper.
Avery didn’t respond as she watched him stroll away.
“Oh.
