Waterfront Weddings by Annalisa Daughety Read Free Book Online Page A

voice filled the air.
    “Wow. Just him and his guitar,” Ashley said. “Have you heard this one before?” When Summer didn’t answer, Ashley glanced at her friend.
    Tears streamed down Summer’s face, and she didn’t even bother to wipe them away. She kept her eyes on Luke, never blinking.
    Ashley sat back in her seat and averted her eyes. It seemed almost voyeuristic to watch such a personal moment. She had no idea what was going on inside Summer’s head, but she could see the emotion pour out. And one thing she knew for sure about Summer, those emotions didn’t come out easily or often.
    Summer looked around as if suddenly aware that she was in a public place. She pushed back her chair. “I’ll be right back,” she whispered.
    Ashley half rose to go after her but sat back down. Some things you had to face alone, and she had a feeling whatever Summer was dealing with was one of them. She turned her attention back to the band.
    Luke sang the closing lines of the song, and the crowd cheered. “We’re going to take a little break now,” he said. “And if you’re interested in purchasing one of our CDs, see Jimmy during the break.” He motioned toward the keyboard player.
    Jimmy waved and pointed at a table near the stage.
    Ashley watched as Luke shook hands with a few people from the audience who’d crowded around him. Mostly women, but at least the redhead from before wasn’t one of them.
    A few minutes later, Luke made his way to her table. “I saw Summer rush out. Did she get a phone call or something?” he asked, concern etched on his handsome face.
    Ashley shook her head. It wasn’t her place to tell him that Summer had been crying. “I think she went to the restroom.”
    “Oh.” Luke rubbed his jaw where the faintest hint of a five o’clock shadow was beginning to show.
    “I’m sure she’ll be back soon though.”
    Justin walked up to the table. “You enjoying the show?” he asked. With his sun-kissed blond hair and tanned skin, he looked like he spent his days surfing rather than working on websites.
    “Y’all are so talented.” She smiled.
    “Thanks.” He turned to Luke and gestured toward the stage. “There are a few people who want autographed CDs. I told Jimmy I’d come get you.”
    Luke nodded. “Sure.” He looked back at Ashley. “Will you remind Summer to set the alarm when she gets home?”
    “Of course.”
    Justin gave her one last glance. “Looking forward to our lunch meeting next week.”
    Before she could respond, he and Luke headed toward the CD table.
    As she watched them go, she couldn’t help but wish it were already Tuesday. But at least she had time to prepare. Their meeting might call for a new outfit. Maybe a cute skirt. Definitely some new shoes.
    With that happy thought, she set off to find Summer.

    Justin sat in the passenger seat of Luke’s truck. He was way past ready to get home and into bed. The crowd had stayed pretty thick until nearly midnight, and by the end they were a little rowdier than he’d have liked.
    He peered out the window. Luke and the restaurant manager stood talking outside the entrance. Maybe he should’ve caught a ride with Jimmy and Will.
    “Sorry about that. The old man is a talker,” Luke said once he’d climbed inside the truck. “The good news is that the job is ours if we want it.” He turned the truck toward Charleston. “That’s great.” The prospect of every weekend being tied up with a performance wasn’t as appealing to Justin as it was to Luke. But the extra money would be nice.
    “They liked our original stuff, don’t you think?” Luke asked.
    “Seemed to.” Justin looked over at Luke’s profile and wondered again why he hadn’t tried harder to work in the music industry. He, Jimmy, and Will were in it for fun. Luke was the real talent. “You know that contest I was telling you about? The songwriter showcase?”
    Luke nodded. “Yeah.”
    “The entry deadline is coming up soon. All you have to do