Kiss Me, Katie by Monica Tillery Read Free Book Online Page A

his eyes back on the road. She loved watching the muscles ripple in his tan forearms as he drove.
    “Yeah, we pretty much play anywhere that will have us. There are quite a few bars and clubs in the smaller towns around Austin that are always glad to have cheap live music, but it’s a little tougher to make it in Austin. Short of moving to Nashville, Austin’s our best bet for exposure. It was worth the trouble, though, you know? Look at us now, opening on a big time tour.” Katie giggled.
    “Yep, look at you now.” Blake smiled at Katie indulgently, fond amusement dancing in his eyes. “Does your family live in Orange Blossom?”
    “Yes, well, my parents do. I’m an only child. My folks have been there forever; I don’t think they’ll ever leave. My dad has the only optometry practice in town, and my mother is practically an institution. I don’t think there’s a person in town who doesn’t know her.”
    “Sounds like my folks. They’ve been in Knoxville forever. So you’re an only child, huh? I can’t imagine what that’s like. I have an older brother, so I’ve never been the only one.”
    “Well, I think that they would’ve liked to have had another child, but it just never happened.”
    • • •
    Blake pulled the Mercedes into the parking lot of a small, unassuming restaurant, Evangeline’s. “We’re here, darlin’. Hope you’re hungry.” Blake hopped out and rushed to open Katie’s door for her. She giggled at his exaggerated strides as he made his way around the car. He offered his hand as she pulled herself out of the car, knowing that she didn’t need help maneuvering herself but unwilling to pass up the chance to hold her hand.
    Blake opened the restaurant door, and Katie stepped inside. The couple was greeted immediately by a hostess who was obviously flustered and star struck, but trying to act natural. “Welcome to Evangeline’s. Table for two?” She said.
    “Yes, ma’am,” Blake looked at the hostess’s nametag, “Elizabeth. We should have a reservation for six-thirty. Bl-”
    “Blake Jackson. I know who you are, sir.” Elizabeth flushed bright red. “Sorry for interrupting.” She lowered her voice to a stage whisper and said, “I mean I know who you are. We have a private table for you and your date. Right this way.” Elizabeth led Blake and Katie through the restaurant to a dim corner table partially shielded from the dining room by a decorative column. “Meredith will be your server this evening. Enjoy your meal.”
    “Thank you, Elizabeth,” said Blake as he pressed a folded twenty-dollar bill into the surprised hostess’s palm. With a grateful smile, Elizabeth left and Blake and Katie were alone again.
    “I come here every time I make it to Tuscaloosa. They know me here,” Blake said.
    “I’ll admit, I am kind of surprised that we were able to walk all the way to the table without anyone stopping you,” Katie answered.
    “I usually make it through my meals here without any attention. Seems like half the time if I just leave my boots and cowboy hat at home nobody knows who I am, or at least if they do they realize that I’m here for dinner and they leave me be. Could just be that it’s not really a country music crowd or something,” Blake replied. “So, what are you in the mood for, sweetheart? Pretty much everything is good here.”
    “Hmm, let’s see. I think I’ll have anything but another sandwich. Since joining this tour I’ve eaten more sandwiches than ever before in my life!”
    “Yeah, that’s the truth. Seems like every venue catering menu is the same, sandwiches, cold cuts, cheese cubes. Enough with the cheese cubes already,” Blake said with a smile.
    They ordered their meals and a bottle of red wine to share, and Blake watched Katie as much as he could without staring. He wondered if her hair felt as soft as it looked, what her slender arms would feel like wrapped around his shoulders, and what her full lips would feel like on