food and had what he’d heard was one of the best bartenders in the city. He let the valet take is car and walked inside, to the chorus of whispered and looks that he always got when he went somewhere. It didn’t even affect him anymore, he was used to it.
“One, please,” he said to the girl serving as hostess who looked as if she may pass out. She stumbled through something that Jack couldn’t really understand, and then grabbed a menu and walked off. He assumed that he was supposed to follow her, so he did.
The table gave him a great view of the stage that the band would eventually be performing on, and the small dance floor set up for those who wanted a twirl. His waiter wasn’t quite as start struck as the hostess had been, and quickly came back with his drink and a small salad that preceded a surprisingly good chicken parmesan dish. He’d have to remember this place the next time he had cabin fever, this was turning out to be a good choice.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the young man serving as announcer said through the microphone. “Please welcome to the stage Moonlight, featuring Willow Jackson,” he said as the house lights dimmed just a bit and the band came out onto the stage. They began playing something low and soft that made Jack tap his foot a bit, but it was the sultry voice that was singing suddenly that made him look up again.
The woman singing was breathtakingly beautiful. Her hair was full and dark, hanging almost down to her waist behind her as she sang, her eyes closed. Her skin was a warm mix of gold and tan, and was fitted to a frame that probably had the attention of every man in the room. Her voice was so full that it almost felt tangible as she sang along with the band. Jack’s food lay forgotten in front of him as he watched her, enraptured.
“Hey, wait a second,” he said, snagging his waiter on his way past.
“Yes sir,” the kid said softly, so as not to drown out the music.
“The singer, Willow, right? Can you send her a drink from me when they finish their set?” he asked.
“Sure, what drink would you like to send?” the waiter asked. Hell he hadn’t thought about that.
“Does she have something that she normally orders?” he asked. The waiter grinned.
“It depends on how much they make in tips that night,” he said. Jack got it and smirked.
“Send her the more expensive one,” he said. The waited gave a curt nod, to demonstrate his understanding, and then scurried off.
Willow sang for a bit more, and then took a break. Jazz began playing again, but this time it was a track instead of the band, since this was their break. Jack saw when his waiter slipped up to the bar, where she sat alone, phone in one hand and a cigarette in the other. He sat the drink down in front of her and in response to her surprised look, leaned in and said something to her over the din of the restaurant. Then, he pointed to Jack and she turned with him. Jack offered a casual wave, and she smiled and nodded her thanks.
A few minutes later, he watched her put out her cigarette and slide off of the bar stool. She moved like a dancer, and that completely intrigued him as she walked through the place and settled herself across from him.
“Sorry, I was going to come over sooner, but then I realized who you are and I didn’t think you’d want to be around the smoke,” she said. Jack found himself appreciating that, most people wouldn’t have bothered caring.
“Thank you for the concern,” he said.
“Thank you for the drink,” she said, lifting it. Jack clinked his glass together with her and they drank together.
“So, I’ve never seen you in here before, and I’m pretty sure I would remember if I had. What brings you into this place? I always thought you were more of a base thumping, half naked strippers on poles kind of guy,” she said. Jack almost choked on his drink.
“You don’t pull any punches, do you?” he said with a laugh as he recovered. She smiled and shook
Rebecca Hamilton, Conner Kressley