Grand Adventure

Chapter 21

 "Do you know how to play 'Total Eclipse of the Heart?'" asked Dani, her eyes focused on a notebook where she had been jotting down possible song choices for their set at the bar tonight.

Eddie rested his elbow on the table, his chin in his hand, watching her. She was so focused right now, tapping the eraser of the pencil against her chin, her lips pursed. Damn, she was beautiful when she was stressed. He thought it was adorable how serious she was taking this. It was a gig at some small bar in Arizona where no one knew them. He wasn't stressed about it all. They could wing it and throw something together that would please everyone.

After breakfast, they had both showered and then headed out to explore. Ehrenberg, Arizona wasn't exactly the most happening place but Dani had convinced him to wander around the art museum for a while. Eddie had enjoyed it far more than he'd thought he would and he really enjoyed watching Dani, her eyes lighting up whenever she caught sight of a piece that moved her.

Now they were enjoying a late lunch at a local diner. Dani had ordered a cobb salad and he'd gotten a BLT and fries. She'd decided this was a good time to figure out their setlist for the evening and she was serious about it. Dani didn't do anything half-assed. If she was doing it, you could count on it being done correctly.

"Eddie?" Dani asked and he startled, realizing she was talking to him. She sighed, tapping the pencil against the notebook nervously. "Are you even listening to me?"

"Princess," he replied, leaning back in his chair, opening his arms wide. "I am always listening to you."

"Fine, so what did I just ask you?" challenged Dani.

Eddie opened his mouth and then snapped it shut again. Shit, he could not think of what she had asked him. He'd been so caught up just watching her that he couldn't remember what her question had been.

"You have no idea," she accused, folding her arms on the table, her eyes narrowing.

"Okay, you caught me," Eddie admitted, holding his hands up in front of him. "But, to be fair, it was only because I was so lost in your beauty that I somehow missed your words."

Dani rolled her eyes and snorted but he saw the telltale lift of her lips on either side. She was fighting back a smile which let him know she wasn't really mad at him. She might not take compliments well, but she definitely enjoyed getting them. That was fine with him. He would compliment her every single day for the rest of their life. Eddie never wanted her to forget how amazing and beautiful he thought she was.

"You're such a dork," she stated. "I asked if you know how to play 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' on the guitar?"

"Oh...uh, definitely not," he said, shaking his head. "Sorry, sweetheart. That was never a song I was dying to learn."

Dani groaned, dropping her head onto the table. Eddie reached over, placing his hand on the back of her head, massaging her scalp gently with his fingertips. Of course his girl was making this out to be far more serious than it had to be. All he could do was try to calm her nerves.

"Princess, it's going to be fine," he soothed.

Her head shot up, green eyes shooting daggers at him, "How is this going to be okay, Eddie? You play heavy metal. I don't sing heavy metal. These people are going to be expecting a full set of songs. That's at least ten to fifteen songs if we want a decent set. Darla and Lenny are depending on us to do a show for them. If we can't do the show, then she won't talk to her cousin and if she doesn't talk to her cousin, then you might not get to go to one of the clubs on the Sunset Strip. It's impossible to get into those places. L.A. was the whole point of this trip and if we don't get to go, then this whole trip will be ruined for you so no, Eddie, it's not going to be fine!"