The Fling

23

Five months later...

I sat in my car watching various people go in and out of the spectacular hillside house. There were caterers, a florist, and a bakery delivering a huge cake. The scene was more like a wedding than a teenager's birthday party, but when Abigail texted about it, she said that Bert was going overboard, so I wasn't surprised.

Glancing at my phone, I saw that I was technically a minute late, so I took a deep breath and opened the door. After grabbing my acoustic guitar from the back seat, I walked up the long path. My finger was poised to ring the bell when the door flung open. There stood Abigail looking positively radiant. She had on a sleeveless pale pink dress and her blonde hair was up in a tousled bun.

"Shawn! You're here! I was just going to my car to get something, but I'll get it later. Come on in!"

Her smiling eyes put me at ease; if she wasn't uncomfortable, then I shouldn't be either. I stepped into the foyer, which showcased a chandelier that was like a work of sculpted glass art. "This place is amazing."

She leaned in conspiratorially. "Don't tell Bert I told you this, but he's renting it from a client who moved to Europe. He likes people to think he owns the place, but he doesn't."

"It's so different from your house."

"We never had the same tastes. I like traditional and comfortable; he likes...this." She waved her arm around the entryway.

I cleared my throat. "What's the deal? Do you want me to kick off the party with a few songs?"

Abigail grabbed my elbow and led me down the hall to a staircase. "You are going to hide out on the lower level until I come get you. Lizzie has no idea you're coming, so it will be a huge surprise. Her mom was supposed to be here today but canceled late last night, so seeing you is going to lift her spirits."

I didn't know the backstory on Lizzie's mom, but it pained me to know she'd been disappointed by her. "I'm glad I can do this for her. How long will the wait be?" I asked as we walked down the curved staircase.

"The party starts in half an hour so an hour tops. I guess I could have had you show up then, but I wanted you securely in place before she gets home. Reagan took her to get her nails done as a way to get you inside unnoticed."

"I don't mind hanging out here since it's easier than socializing. I am going to sing Happy Birthday and then you texted me her three favorite songs. After that I'll take pics with the guests?"

"Yes, if you don't mind." She seemed to think a second and then winced. "Fuck. This is really beneath you, isn't it? You can bail if you want."

I laid a hand on her bare shoulder. "I'm happy to do this for you- I mean for Lizzie. I've done private parties before, so it's not a big deal."

"I wish you'd let us pay you."

"My fee is pretty steep, so let's not go there," I laughed.

"Really? Now I'm curious."

"In 2018 I played a bat mitzvah and made half a million. I'd probably charge two to three times that now."

Abigail's jaw dropped. "My ex represents many singers, but apparently I'm very out of touch. I appreciate the favor even more now! I really owe you."

One way that she could pay me back flickered through my mind, but of course I kept that to myself.

"Abi? Where are you?" a male voice called out from above. I recognized it as her asshole ex-husband's.

"I need to go up and make sure everything is ready. I'll be back in a bit with some food. We've got wine for the adults. Would you like some?"

"Sure. A glass of red would be nice," I said as I sat down on the sofa.

She gave me a smile before going upstairs, and I took out my phone to kill time. After a while, I could hear people arriving, so I got up and peeked outside at the poolside patio where the party was being held. There were a bunch of teenagers, quite a few adults, and the catering staff circulating with food. I spotted Lizzie talking to Abigail off to the side of the garden. The two embraced and I sensed that the teen was struggling to keep it together.

Half an hour later, Abigail was back with a plate piled high with various gourmet finger foods and a large glass of wine. "Here you go! Hopefully these are things you like. Do you have any dietary restrictions, because this stuff would be a nightmare for anyone who does."

"I'm sure it's fine. Thank you." I took the plate, knowing most of the food was off-limits since I tried to steer clear of gluten, refined sugar, and red meat. We hadn't known each other long enough for her to be aware of this.

We stood there awkwardly for a few seconds. "How have you been?" she asked. "You look great. Your hair has really come back in."

"I'm good. You?"

She shrugged. "The same. It's summer, so my kids are on vacation and I've been busy with them." Another silence ensued and then she said, "I'll come get you soon. Sorry again for locking you up."

"It's totally fine. I've been spying on the party and it looks fun."

She left and I sat back down with a sigh. Before coming here, I'd told myself that enough time had passed that it wouldn't be hard to see her again, but the moment I laid eyes on her beautiful face, my feelings swelled up inside me like a tidal wave. I wasn't sure how it was possible, but I'd fallen for Abigail during our time together.

She returned, and I briefly considered telling her I wanted to talk later, but I lost my nerve.

"So you're going to appear on the upper deck and start singing. There's a mic up there already and it's wired to the DJ's sound system. Instead of announcing you, it'll be fun to see how Lizzie reacts," she explained as we went up to the top floor.

"I guess it makes more sense to open with her favorite song. I can sing Happy Birthday when you serve cake."

"Perfect! Her fave is There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back."

"Got it," I said.

We stood at the door to the balcony. "Give me a minute to get back down to the patio. Okay?"

"Will do."

She reached a hand out and touched my forearm. "You're such a good person. You have no idea how much this will mean to Lizzie. Thank you."

"You've thanked me enough, Abigail."

She hurried off and I waited until I could see her standing near Lizzie by the pool. The DJ cut the music that was playing, and I stepped out, flipping on the mic. As soon as I started playing the familiar intro, all eyes were on me and the crowd erupted in cheers. I made a point to look at the birthday girl as I sang the song, though I occasionally glanced at the gorgeous woman next to her. Lizzie was clearly elated, which made me smile broadly as I sang.

"Happy birthday, Lizzie!" I shouted when I was done with the first song. I then played two others before waving to the crowd and going back in the house.

Abigail met me on the stairs, pulling me in for a hug. "You were incredible! Oh my god! You are so good with just a guitar! And Lizzie is freaking out, she's so happy!"

"Pictures are next?" I asked, beaming at her flushed face while resisting the urge to kiss her.

"Yes! I hired a photographer who has a Polaroid camera, so we'll let each of Lizzie's friends get a quick photo with you to take home. I suspect they'll also want you to take photos with their phones, but you don't have to do that."

"It is no big deal. It looks like less than a hundred people out there, so if any adults want photos, too, I'm cool with that."

"I definitely want one," she said with a laugh.

If only she knew I'd happily give her so much more than that.