Behind The Beat

III - The Offer

The next day, Rose felt a blend of nervousness and excitement as she made her way to meet Val. She had spent most of the morning replaying the previous night in her mind—every laugh, every moment of shared silence, and the surprising sense of ease and connection that had settled between them. Yet, despite the comfort she felt with Val, there was a lingering mystery surrounding her invitation. Val's cryptic words from the night before echoed in her mind:

I want you to meet someone.

Rose entered the quiet coffee shop a block from the venue, scanning the cozy room until she spotted Val sitting by the window, tapping her fingers rhythmically against her phone, her gaze shifting to the door every few seconds. When she saw Rose, her face lit up with a warm smile, and she gave a casual wave, motioning her over.

— Hey, Rose! Glad you made it — Val said, standing to give her a quick, friendly hug. Rose's heart did a little flip at the casual intimacy of it, and she tried to keep her composure, brushing off the butterflies in her stomach as they settled in.

— So... are you ready to meet the mystery person? — Val asked, a glint of mischief dancing in her eyes.

Rose laughed, glancing around the room as if searching for clues.

— I guess so? You're being very mysterious about this.

Val grinned, taking Rose by the hand and leading her out of the coffee shop and down the street. The touch of Val's hand was steady and warm, and despite her nerves, Rose felt herself relax, caught up in Val's easy confidence.

— You'll see — Val said, smiling over her shoulder as they turned a corner. — He's just around here.

They stopped in front of a small recording studio, the sign above the door slightly faded but unmistakable in its significance. Rose's heart quickened as they walked inside, taking in the space that seemed alive with the hum of instruments and the faint echoes of past performances. The walls were covered in framed album covers, posters, and guitars hanging like art pieces, each one telling a story. Rose couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and apprehension as Val led her down a narrow hallway.

They entered a cozy lounge area where a tall, unassuming man in his mid-forties sat nursing a cup of coffee, his gaze fixed on his phone. As soon as they walked in, he looked up, a warm smile breaking across his face as he set down his mug.

— Mike, meet Rose — Val said, her voice casual but carrying a hint of pride. — She's the one I was telling you about.

Mike stood up, extending his hand with an easy, friendly grin.

— Nice to meet you, Rose, — he said, his tone warm and inviting. — I've heard a lot about you.

Rose blinked, glancing from Val to Mike, her mind racing as she tried to piece together what exactly Val might have told him. She took his hand, returning his handshake as her thoughts tangled in a whirlwind of curiosity and confusion.

— Um... hi — she managed, feeling slightly off-balance.

Val leaned back against the wall, her expression relaxed but with a mischievous spark in her eyes.

— So, Mike — she began, looking directly at him, — I found you a guitarist.

For a split second, the world seemed to tilt, and Rose's mind went blank. Her mouth went dry, her heart hammering as she processed what Val had just said. She looked at Val, her eyes wide with surprise—and something close to betrayal.

— Wait... what? — she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. This wasn't at all what she had expected.

Mike raised an eyebrow, an amused smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he observed her reaction.