Now and Forever

by April King

  “Did I tell you I bumped into Tanner at the coffeehouse earlier? He looked rough around the edges. I wonder why?” Ava said.

  Grace shrugged. Again. It was the third time Ava had told her about seeing Tanner. And it was the third time Grace supplied no answer to her question. Her friend appeared to get a perverse pleasure from torturing her with references to him. She didn’t anyone to provide her mind with thoughts of him. He was all she thought about even as she tried to forget. “Let it go,” she warned.

  Ava laughed hard and long. “Oh, please.”

  Grace couldn’t resist the temptation. She swallowed her wine and leaned her head back, laughing like she didn’t have a care in the world. Telling Ava not to do something was a colossal waste of time. Especially when came to matters of the heart. Grace’s heart. The woman was an incurable romantic. If she couldn’t find the man of her dreams, she would fight to make sure her friend did. Ava was more persistent and audacious than any fairy godmother. Love would find its home as long as she was around.

  Ava’s laughter waned and she suddenly sniffed the air. Suspension consumed her gaze. “Something smells fishy. Tanner was walking around looking like he lost his best friend. A couple of minutes ago, you just looked plain lost.” She placed her hands on her hips. “Update me.”

  Grace replied with a roll of her eyes. Her friend quickly got the message and lost her sassy pose. “You should only concentrate on helping me make it through my first Amateur Night. Why did I let Sage Sweet talk me into this?”

  Ava said warmly, “Because you want to help local talent get exposure.”

  Grace sighed, knowing her best friend correct in her assessment. Helping undiscovered artists was a noble venture in deed. But not everyone had the skills required to entertain a crowd. Since she couldn’t carry a tune, she felt she had a little a room to talk about a person in the same position. Her eyes scanned the room and the numerous small groups waiting for their special star to perform. “I see everyone’s fan club has tagged along.”

  “Say that again,” Ava chirped. She moved closer to Grace, viewing the lists of performers. Her eyes lit up with amusement when they landed on the first name. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Get a load of this first group. They’re called The Wranglers.”

  Grace peeped at the list. Lifting a brow, she said. “Interesting. Maybe they’re good. Never know.” Her positive words belied the negative thoughts swimming in her head and sensitive funny bone. Oh, she’d seen those talent shows on the television. Countless individuals with little to no talent schlepping across a stage in front of an audition eager to be wowed and judges who were ready to pounce on the fresh meat at the first sign of fear. Although this wasn’t a competition with a substantial amount offered to the winner, or a record deal, she ran a respectable lounge. She wasn’t even a judge. That job was in the hands of Sage Sweet and two of her associates.

  “Honey, don’t let the name fool you. They probably will get on stage and stink up the joint. Where are the eggs and tomatoes? I may need to throw an object or two to hurry them off.” Ava said, staring in the direction of the kitchen.

  Grace cocked a brow and curled her lips in disapproval. She had no idea if Ava was serious or not. The woman was truly unpredictable at times. Visions of a humiliated singer covered in slimy eggs and tomatoes caused her skin to crawl. Sheer images of chaos blazed across her mind. Nope. Not going to happen. “I won’t have you making a scene, or mess, in here tonight.”

  Ava’s feature’s reflected softness and innocence. When her eyes connected with Grace’s, they sparkled with sincerity as she stated, “OK. I promise to be on my best behavior.”

  Behind her back, her fingers were crossed.

  *

  Grace stood in the rear of the room, away from the crowd, who sat on the edge of their seats. From her angle, she would be able to keep a close eye on Ava. A hush fell over the audience as the announcer stood before the microphone, introducing the first act, The Wranglers. Respectable applause spread throughout The Pigeonhole. Anticipation and trepidation tinged the air.

  Once the crew members placed four additional microphones on stage, leaving the lead singer’s out front, while the others were situated behind it in a straight line. Just as a spotlight lit the stage, five sturdy, masculine figures appeared and stepped up to the microphones. A few women hooted and hollered in appreciation.

  Grace blinked. Craning her neck, she strained her eyes. Disbelief dripped from her gaze. She recognized each and every man. Dressed in matching blue outfits, including blue hats which were tilted to the side, they made a commanding presence. Bright lights bounced off their black shoes. Waiting for the music to begin, they posed with their legs apart and hands clasped in front of them. Very professional looking, she admitted. Too damn handsome for their own good, she could practically feel women melting at the sight of them standing on stage. Still, she wondered what the hell Dash, Dexter, Weston, Bud and Tanner were doing?

  Sabotage?A practical joke?

  She had a mind to go up there and yank them off stage one by one, starting with that mouth-watering, toe-curling, heartbreaking Tanner McGregor. The nerve of the man. Did he think she was a doormat? An inanimate object he could walk all over without doing damage? She had feelings and he had ripped them to shreds. He didn’t love her. She wanted nothing more to do with him. So he could take his heavenly smile and killer body and hit the road.

  Fists clenched at her side, she began to a quick and steady stride towards the stage. Her footsteps halted. The music began to play. Tanner opened his mouth and something amazing and beautiful escaped from his lips. His cousins joined in and there was nothing, except sweet harmony. She didn’t know how his eyes had managed to find hers. But the contact caused her senses to explode. Her stomach flip-flopped. Sensual sensations licked her from head to toe. He had trapped her with his piercing and hungry gaze. Although his lips moved, his eyes were working her over, making her come undone.

  Moments later, after regaining a bit of her sanity, the words of the song he sang reacted with every cell in her body. It was “My Girl” by The Temptations. Funny, she never remembered it sounding so sweet. Nor had she ever experienced such a delicious ache between her legs while listening to it. His voice was like a potion, intoxicating and hypnotizing. Gradually, she slipped under his spell.

  The audience was totally clueless of his reason for being on stage. Grace was well-aware--felt it in her bones—that he wanted to send her a message with his lips, his eyes and his body language. Beating a mile a minute, her heart absorbed the words, listening with an intensity she wasn’t able to control. Like everyone else, her body swayed to the mesmerizing tune similar to a boat floating on calm waters.

  When the song ended, she exhaled. All the while, she’d been holding her breath. Being dazed and amazed, not to mention highly turned on, there hadn’t been much else she could. Unless tossing her panties and bra on stage had been an appropriate gesture. By skimming the faces on the women, she could see she wasn’t the only one who had been tempted to be that forward. But had any female approached Tanner in such a manner, she would’ve had to handle the situation in a way she would’ve regretted later.

  She wasn’t prepared for came next.

  Tanner grabbed the microphone. He waited until the scores of women applauding wildly settled down before he spoke. “Sorry to waste everyone’s time, but I’m not after the cash prize. The reward I seek is much grander. I came here to and win the hand and heart of my girl, my woman, the love of my life. Earlier today, I acted like a complete jackass and I want to ask for her forgiveness.” His eyes zoomed in on her. “Grace Michaels, I love you and if you still love me, meet me later. I’ll be waiting.”

  As he exited the stage, followed by his cousins, a woman yelled, “I’ll take you if she won’t!”

  “That’s right!” someone else chirped.

  Grace fell into the nearest empty seat before her legs gave out. Unshed tears glistened in her eyes. Tanner had just de
clared his love to her…in front of everyone. He had sung a song to her. She had no idea he was so talented. She had no clue he was willing to put his emotions on public display. Her body trembled as the most important he had posed swam in her mind. Did she still love him?

  Hell, yes!

  *

  The show was over. It had turned out to be an interesting and pleasant experience after all. Grace never knew there were so many remarkable singers in the local area. If anyone of them were lucky enough to have a record produced, she would download it in a heartbeat. A young man with a deep, spiritual voice had won first place. The excitement he had exhibited when he was announced as the winner had been a joy to witness. In fact, she promised Sage Sweet she would present Amateur Night frequently.

  Once the thrill of the evening had subsided, she practically shooed the few individuals who had taken it upon themselves to be stragglers out the door. In the most polite way, she told them that they didn’t have to go home, but they had to leave The Pigeonhole. She was anxious to lock up. Tanner was waiting for her and they had plenty to discuss. She was bound and determined to make certain Tanner and she had an all night conversation.

  Bending over to retrieve her purse and keys from a table, she fantasized about the make-up sex that would occur between Tanner and her, until a pair of loud footsteps stole her attention.

  “Damn, I forgot to lock the door,” she muttered under her breath. Over her shoulder, she said, “We’re closed. Come back tomorrow.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Her nerves bristled and her muscles tensed as the familiar voice echoed through the empty building. Somehow, she wasn’t surprised the woman had the gall to pay her a visit, especially since she had called her phone and hung up when she answered. It had been just a matter of time before they had this…meeting.

  Slowly, Grace straightened and turned around. She refused to wilt before Sheila’s hate-filled glower. However, she wasn’t so confident she could maintain the cool composure for long. Sheila brandished a gun and didn’t seem afraid to use it. Grace felt like jumping out of her skin. Her heart hammered in her chest. This was a nightmare. No matter in what direction she chose to run, Sheila would be able to have a clear shot at her. She really missed those stragglers and prayed at least one of them would return. But she doubted help of any was on the way. Despite her ruffled feathers, she blurted the first words that popped into her head. “Are you crazy?”

  “Maybe,” Sheila said, smirking.

  Grace’s skin crawled. The woman was beyond creepy. She had really lost her sense of reality. The look in her eyes was plain deadly. Grace had literally been backed into corner. Only a miracle could save her now. Although she never believed miracles, there was a first time for everything. She said a silent prayer.

  Waving the gun at Grace like she was wagging a finger at a naughty child, Sheila said, “And you’re crazy if you’re going to live happily-ever-after with my man. Honestly, I don’t know what he sees in you. Yuck.”

  Grace hiked a brow. “I don’t want Carl. And he doesn’t want me either.”

  Sheila’s eyes narrowed. She steadied her weapon at Grace’s heart. Her voice lowered an octave. “Don’t get cute with me. You know damn well I was referring to Tanner.”

  Grace flinched. She swallowed the lump lodged in her throat. Her thoughts swirled at the mention of Tanner’s name. He was her world. Sheila had the power to make sure she never saw him again and vice versa. She wished she could turn back the hands of time and tell him that she forgave him. Now he would not get the chance to know how she loved him. The image of his crestfallen expression when she didn’t show up later made her heart sink to the floor. That heartrending vision affected her more than Sheila’s threats. She sighed with resignation, determining she had nothing to lose. Since she couldn’t reveal her true feelings to Tanner at the moment, she did the next best thing. “Tanner loves me and I love him with all my heart. Nothing can change that. Not even death. Unlike you, I would’ve been loyal to him. He deserves it.”

  Her words only added fuel to Sheila’s anger. Her jaw twitched. Her body stiffened. The air seemed to rush out her lungs. The tension in the room was so thick a bullet could’ve bounced off of it. But stuff like that only happened in fantasy books. They both knew the drama they were involved in was real. Too real. A maniacal smile graced Sheila’s lips. She had the upper hand.

  She controlled the way Grace’s story ended and took pride and pleasure in this fact. Lifting the gun and aiming, she prepared to pull the trigger.

  “Stop!”

  Grace saw Tanner burst through the door. Fear nearly suffocated her when she saw him charge across the floor. She tried to scream when Sheila swung around and aimed the gun in his direction, but she was frozen. His blatant disregard for his own safety sent her into a state of shock.

  Sheila snarled. “How sweet. A real Knight in Shining Armor. Well, at least you and your princess can die together. I will see to it personally.”

  The sound of the gunshot crackled in Grace’s ears. “Tanner!”

  She watched in horror as Tanner weaved and dodged Sheila’s repeated gunfire. At one point, he fell. In a split second, he scrambled to his feet. When he was close enough, he lunged at Sheila and knocked her flat on her back. The gun slipped from her hands and slid across the floor. Quickly, Grace retrieved it. Pointing at Sheila, she yelled, “Don’t move!”

  *

  Tanner cradled Grace in his arms, whispering soft words of consolation in her ears. She had collapsed against his chest after the police had arrived. Neither of them had paid any attention to Sheila as the police took her away in handcuffs. They were too wrapped up in each other. Not wanting to let go of the warmth and security and love they found in each other’s arms. They longed to forget how their world had been turned upside.

  Grace lifted her head and stared into his face. She asked the question that had been lingering in the back of her mind since he arrived. “How did you know Sheila would be here?”

  He stroked her hair gently, aching to kiss her until they were both gasping for air. But he held off claiming her lips, convincing himself he would have ample time to plunder her mouth. And body. Love was guaranteed. Gazing into her eyes, he answered, “Actually, I wasn’t one hundred percent sure she intended to come here. I had received a call from Carl, telling he had spoken to Sheila. She had told him she was in Nashville and had some unfinished business she needed to tend to before she could leave. There had been a sense of urgency in her voice. He said she didn’t sound like herself. According to him, she seemed very strange. She kept repeating your name and mind name in incoherent sentences. So when she didn’t appear at my place, I came straight here.”

  Grace grimaced. “How did a woman so beautiful, end up so ugly?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. Clearly, she needs help and I hope, for her sake, she gets it.”

  She nodded. “Me, too.”

  Tanner pulled her tighter against him. His free hand slid down her back and landed on her plump rear end, giving it a squeeze. “I’ve been wanting to that all day,” he whispered.

  She moaned delightfully. “I love it when you touch me.”

  He searched her face. “Is my touch all you love?”

  Undying devotion sparkled in her eyes as bright as the sunshine on a summer’s day. She smiled. “No, I love everything about you. I love your laugh, your eyes, your mouth, your walk, your talk, your big heart and your spirit.”

  “Is that so?” He reached into his pocket and removed a small velvet box. Then, he dropped to one knee. Opening the box, he lifted it, allowing Grace to see the ring nestled on the inside.

  She gasped.

  He took her hand in his. “Before I met you, I never knew what real love was. But you opened my eyes and my heart. You’re more than I ever hoped for and I couldn’t see myself living without you. Will you do me the honor of being wife?”

  She leaned down, l
ooking deep into his eyes. “Yes. Now and forever.”

  He slid the ring on her finger and gathered her in his arms after he stood. His heart breathed a sigh of relief, knowing it had finally found a home. He finally had his queen. Even if it took magic on his part, he vowed to fill her life with joy and happiness.

  “When did you buy this ring?” Grace asked.

  Tanner grinned. “The first time we kissed in the parking lot.”

  She chortled. “I guess that means I’m a pretty good kisser.”

  He brought his face inches away from hers. “It’s been a while. Why don’t you remind.”

  “Your wish is my command,” she said, pressing her lips against his.

  He sighed contently.

  Now this is magical.

  THE END