“So where are you taking me for dinner?”
“Who agreed to dinner?”
“Your nonverbal agreement was coming to me and us walking at this moment.”
“Yep, you’re weird. Why am I the one taking you to dinner?” The man frowned. “You should take me since you’re the one who is local.”
“I thought you were from here.” Jade shook his head. “I’m not from around here either.”
“Well, let’s Google it and see where there’s a good place for dinner.” The man stopped and took out his cell. Jade waited as he did. “Well…umm…I don’t even know your name. How can we have dinner and I don’t even know that?”
Sure that he was kidding Jade teased, “Is there some rule that you have to know the name of someone to have dinner with them?” Jade tilted his head while he waited to see what the man would come up with.
“I guess not, but I would need to call you something.” He smiled. “How about I call you Green Giant?”
“How about I don’t rearrange your nose?” Jade bared his teeth. “I’m much better looking than him and my skin is not green. “
“True. I’d call your skin more sun-kissed. Goes good with the deep green shade of your hair. Now about the name. Let me start first. I’ll show you how normal people do it.” The man put out his hand. “Conrad Kendrick. I’m a Leo and love cuddling on the couch watching movies.”
“And you call me weird. Do you think we’re on a dating show?” Jade narrowed his eyes. “You really don’t know my name?”
“Should I?” Conrad shook his head. “Are you some kind of star or something? Sorry, I don’t really pay attention to that sort of thing. I watch movies and TV, but don’t recall ever seeing you. I’d figure with that hair and eyes I would remember.”
Jade blinked, shocked that he didn’t know who he was. Don’t be arrogant, Jade, not everyone knows who we are and if they do they don’t all care. His brother’s voice rang through his mind as if he was there beside him. Usually Jade wouldn’t think he was that easily recognizable, but just coming off tour where fans screamed at him and wanted to be near him, he was still trying to assimilate back into the regular every day. You’re everyday Jade, not the performer Jade.
“Nope, not in movies or TV shows. Just play music.” Jade smiled. “Jade Blakstone.” He shook Conrad’s hand.
“Hmmm…”Conrad frowned then it cleared. “Sounds familiar, but can’t place from where. It’ll come to me eventually.” He shrugged. “Is your music any good?”
“I think so, but according to who you’re speaking with, it might not be.” Jade licked his lips.
Conrad’s gaze followed the movement. “What instrument do you play?”
“Drums.” Jade gestured to the phone he still held. “So what about dinner? I’m hungry.”
“Oh yeah.” Conrad studied the screen. “There seems to be a place about a ten-minute drive from here. Your car or mine?”
“We’ll take both. That way if we get on each other’s nerves over dinner we can go our separate ways.”
“Blunt and weird.” Conrad laughed. “I’m getting more and more intrigued.”
“Ditto.” Jade gestured. “I’m over there.”
“I’m that way,” Conrad said, motioning to the opposite direction. “I’ll get my truck and meet you and you can follow me.”
“Or you could give me the address and I’ll meet you there.”
“Maybe I like the idea of you following me.” Conrad winced. “There I go again. I really need to get in better practice.”
“Yep. Not to sound so cheesy.” Jade laughed.
Conrad chuckled then gave him the address. “See you soon.”
“Soon.” Jade let the promise linger in his voice.
“Stop that,” Conrad said.
“What?”
“And none of that innocent act.” Conrad turned away muttering, “Trying to seduce me with that voice.”
“If I’m trying I’m not doing it right,” Jade called. |
