Everybody Finds Out

Part 27

"She's never ready on time, is she?" Mick joked passing by Lindsey, who stood by the front door of the band's temporary home. 

"Actually, I told her the reservation is at 8 pm, but it's at 8:30 pm. I'm standing here in case she does come down on time." Lindsey grinned, knowing of Stevie's habit of always being late to everything too well.

"Smart man." Mick laughed. "Enjoy your night out."

It was Stevie's birthday, however, she longer liked to make a big deal about it. She didn't want to go out at all, she said, having a drink or two with the men of Fleetwood Mac at home was fine with her, but Lindsey insisted. Besides, the recording of the album was nearing the end and everyone had grown tired of the same four walls and the same people all day every day, so he thought that taking her out for dinner would do them good.

"You don't look a day over thirty." Lindsey smiled as Stevie made her way down the stairs. 

"You have to say that." Stevie cast her eyes down, her cheeks got slightly warmer as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. 

"Hand on my heart." He added, doing it too for emphasis. 

Knowing that he might like a glass of wine with dinner, Lindsey called them a car. They got comfortable in the backseat together, Stevie leaned against him, Lindsey's arm wrapped around her shoulders, he pressed a kiss to her temple.

"This is the first time we're going out together." She said, tilting her eyes up. 

"That's true. Are you nervous?" Lindsey asked, giving her upper arm a squeeze. 

"Not really, it's just... strange." Stevie shrugged, lacing their fingers together. "I didn't dare think this was still possible."

"You and me both." Lindsey nodded in agreement.

They remained quiet for the rest of the drive. Lindsey tried his best to subtly check the inside pocket of his blazer a few times. He was nervous. He had always been nervous about picking jewelry for Stevie for any occasion. The woman could buy all the expensive things she liked herself. However, he'd never seemed to miss with diamonds. He'd be lying if he said, he wasn't tempted to buy her a ring, but it was too soon, his divorce hadn't even been finalized yet.

"If we run into one of your famous rockstar friends again, we're done." Lindsey said, sliding his arm around Stevie's waist when they got out of the car.

His statement made her laugh. "Christ, Linds. What do you want me to do or say to prove to you that you're the only famous rockstar I'm interested in?"

"Let me grope you for everyone to see?"

"If you do that, we're done." She gave him a look, which wasn't too serious. "We're not in our twenties anymore to be acting that way."

"You make me feel young at heart, baby." He grinned, pulling her in closer. 

"Now you're just trying to guarantee yourself some action tonight." In spite of what she'd said, Stevie did enjoy Lindsey making everyone know that she was with him.

They were seated at the table Lindsey had specifically asked for, farther away from any prying eyes. A waitress approached the pair quickly and two glasses of red wine were placed in front of them moments later.

"Happy birthday, baby." Lindsey held out his glass.

"Thank you." Stevie smiled, clinking their glasses together. "Mm..."

"You like that?" He asked after she'd tasted the wine.

"I do. It's my fa-"

"Favorite, I know." He nodded, proud of himself for remembering her preference. "I've got you a little something."