"Laura... Yeah, she sure can sing beautifully," Kevin chimed in, not breaking his gaze. He was watching Laura at the bar, talking to Misty. Howie was looking their way too, only he was watching Misty. "Yeah, and it looks like she and Misty get along great," he said, barely blinking.
"Uh-huh... and that's why you both are staring at them. Not because they're 2 pretty young women and you're both single," AJ said, chuckling a bit.
"Don't be ridiculous," Kevin said quickly, breaking his stare and looking AJ's way. "All I'm saying is that she's very talented."
"Well, I'm staring at Misty because she's a pretty young woman and I'm single," Howie said, laughing. Everyone laughed with him, including Kevin. "I'm glad to see you're feeling better, Kev. We told you a night out would do you good," Howie said, looking back to where Misty and Laura were. Kevin followed suit. He noticed that Misty had returned to work behind the bar and Laura was sitting alone.
"Uhh, I'm going to go find the restroom. I'll be back in a few," Kevin announced, standing up at the table. Not waiting for a response, he walked over to where Laura was sitting. Buck started to growl a little bit as Kevin approached. He wasn't sure what to do, so he stood back to see if the dog would stop.
"Yes?" Laura said, knowing that someone was approaching her. "Don't worry, Buck's not growling because he's going to attack you or anything. He's just telling me that you're here. Come, have a seat."
Kevin sighed a sigh of relief. "OK, thanks," he said, sitting on the barstool next to Laura. Immediately Buck started sniffing this stranger, but soon after started licking him. "Looks like I made a new friend," Kevin said, patting Buck on the head.
"And what is Buck's new friend's name?" Laura asked, intrigued by the warm, deep voice she heard. She extended her hand for a handshake.
"Kevin... I'm Kevin. And you're Laura, right?" Kevin asked, taking her hand. Her hands were small and soft. Her touch made him nervous for some reason, a reason he couldn't pinpoint at that time.
"Yes, I'm Laura. And just how did you know that?" Laura asked, in a teasing tone of voice. Kevin smiled. "My friend's girlfriend is friends with your roommate, I guess."
"Oh, Whitney, right? Misty told me she and her friends were here tonight. I've only met her once or twice, but she seems like a sweetheart."
"Yeah, Whitney's great," Kevin said, changing the subject. Not that he had anything against Whitney, she was a great girl, but Kevin could think of someone else he'd rather be talking about. "Well, I hope I'm not bothering you or anything. I just wanted to say that I think you've got an incredible voice, and you're an awesome pianist. I can't wait to hear your next set."
Laura smiled. "Thanks a lot, Kevin. That means a lot to hear things like that. Especially when I've messed up so many times tonight," Laura said, laughing nervously.
"Nahhh, you did great! I didn't hear one single mistake, and if you DID make any, I didn't notice, and I don't think anyone else did either. You had the entire place wrapped around your little finger," Kevin said. Laura smiled. "Well, I wouldn't go that far, but the regulars like it when I play, that's for sure. I've got a good little 'fan club' going here."
Just then Misty made her way down to refill Laura's drink. "Another Pepsi, Laura?" Misty asked, smiling as she noticed Kevin talking to her roommate. "Yeah, and give Kevin here a drink on the house, from me... whatever you want, Kevin," Laura said, smiling as she took a drink.
"Thanks, that's nice of you, Laura. I'll just have a Pepsi also, thanks Misty," Kevin said. Misty smiled. "So I see you're making nice with my roommates, Kevin," she said, filling a glass. "Yeah, Buck introduced Kevin to me, and we're all getting along like old friends," Laura said, chuckling. "Hey Mis, how long do I have yet?"
"However long you need, Laura. You're not on any time frame. But you have been sitting here for about 20 minutes, just so you know," Misty said, putting a glass of water on the bar next to Laura's soda. Laura instinctively reached for it and got up. "Well, I guess it's time to do my last set. It's been nice talking to you, Kevin. Buck and I are very pleased to meet you. I hope you have a good time tonight. Come Buck... stage," she said, grabbing Buck's harness and he led the way.
"Nice talking to you, too," Kevin said, as she made her way up to the stage and took a seat at the piano once again. Kevin smiled as he watched her. He was very impressed by her, as a singer and a woman. She's as sweet as she is talented, he thought, as Howie approached him.
"Find the, umm, restroom, Kev?" Howie asked, winking knowingly at him. "Yeah, I didn't quite make it that far, D. I was chatting with Laura," Kevin said, smiling, still watching Laura.
"Yeah, I figured as such. I actually came over to chat with Misty myself." Just then Misty approached. "Chat with me?? Why me?" she asked, surprised to hear her name. "Why not you?" Howie asked. Misty blushed. "I guess I'll have to chat with you when you put it that way," she said, walking around to the other side of the bar. She sat down on the stool next to Howie as Laura began her last song set of the evening.
"Well, we'll see you guys later, we're headin' out. Gonna hit a dance club or something," Patti said to Howie and Kevin. She set her and Nick's glasses on the bar and said goodbye to Misty. "Nice meeting you, Misty. I'm sure we'll see ya here again." Misty smiled at Patti and Nick. "Same here. Have a good night! Bye!"
Kevin and Howie were in no hurry to leave. After all, Laura and Misty were still there. Howie was chatting once again with Misty as she cleaned up behind the bar. Kevin walked up to the stage where Laura was about through getting her things together.
"Just as great as before, Laura. Awesome job!" Kevin said approaching the stage.
"Oh, hello there, Kevin! Thanks a lot!" Laura said gratefully. "There, I think I'm set. Come Buck... Misty," she said, and Buck soon joined her and led her to where Misty was. Kevin walked up to Howie.
"I think we should go soon, Kev," Howie said. "Remember, we've got that recording session tomorrow."
"Yeah, I know. Let's say goodbye to Misty and Laura and be on our way then," Kevin said reluctantly. He knew Howie was right, they needed to get some sleep, but the truth was he really didn't want to go.
Misty and Laura overheard them talking as they approached with their coats on. "Well, we just came to say goodbye ourselves," Misty said. "Yeah, I'm glad you came and your ears aren't bleeding too bad from listening to my singing," Laura added jokingly. Misty grabbed her roommate's hand. "Nonsense! You were awesome as always, girl! C'mon, let's go." Howie quickly stood up. "I'll walk you out," he offered, as they started heading to the door.
"OK, Misty. We'll meet you out there." Laura then turned to Kevin and extended her hand once again as they began walking to the door. "It was very nice to meet you Kevin. I hope it won't be the last," she said, as he took her hand, and opened her car door for her. Buck ran in and jumped in the backseat before Laura got in. "Same here, Laura. Y'all have a great night," he said, shutting the car door and waving at Misty before she drove off. I hope it won't be the last time I see you either, Laura, Kevin thought, as he and Howie headed to their cars and drove back to AJ's place.
