A New Beginning

Chapter Ten

The next three weeks went by quickly and were uneventful.  I continued working regularly, chatting with Colby and Kenna about boys and even getting to know Coop a little more.  Kenna and Coop were officially a couple, always laughing and holding hands whenever I saw them.  They were so adorable together and I was glad to see them so happy.  Em, Leah, and I spent some time together preparing for the baby.  Em and I sorted out all of the gifts that Leah had gotten from the shower and shopped for anything that Leah needed.

         Of course, I saw Louis nearly every day.  My excuse was to visit Ollie, when in reality I was falling hard for Louis, though I would be the last to admit it.  I wasn’t about to land with a splat because Louis didn’t feel the same, which I knew with certainty.  It was something that had always happened to me with guys.  I had a major crush on them and then found out that to them, I was invisible. 

         One night, I went to Co Co’s, not because I had to work, but because Louis had a gig.  Kenna and Coop were already there, sitting at a little two person table.  I had assumed when Kenna told me that she was going that she was inviting me, but apparently that wasn’t the case.  I spotted Colby alone at a table, and I thankfully joined her.

         “Got a hot date tonight?”

         Colby rolled her eyes.  “Oh yeah, of course I would bring a date to work and wear black polo and pants.”

         “I thought so, it’s the perfect date!” I responded sarcastically. 

         “Well I am glad that you are here because if you weren’t, I would be the third wheel on Kenna and Coop’s date.”

         “You’re welcome then.” Colby said.

         Piano music flooded through the room at that moment, and I recognized it as The Office theme song.  Louis was sitting there bobbing his head along with the tune.  Once the song finished and the applause died down, he spoke into the microphone.  “Hey guys, I’m Louis.  I’m gonna play some piano for ya.” He said, and my heart did a significant back flip.

         He played “Bennie and the Jets”, “Apologize”, “Only the Good Die Young”, and “Let it Be.”  They were all extraordinary, his ease and expertise of each song amazed myself as well as the rest of the audience.  No one could deny Louis’ passion for music and I noticed that a number of girls were smiling slyly at him. 

         “Alright, thank you all for coming tonight.  This will be my last song, and I hope you like it.” he said, and I could have sworn that he stole a glance at me.  He started with a few chords and I instantly knew the song: Penny Lane.  I laughed out loud, which made a few people turn and glare at me.  He was smiling the whole time he was playing it, and so was I.  Once he finished, everyone applauded one last time and people started to leave. 

         I waited until the room was completely empty, watching from my chair as people filed out one by one.  Finally, it was just Louis and I.  He was still at the piano, collecting his sheet music.  A middle-aged man came up and shook his hand, telling him how great he was.  Louis smiled with gratitude, blushing as if he wasn’t aware of how good he was.  He was humble…and handsome. 

         “Hey there, Piano Man.” I said, giving him a high-five. 

         He smiled.  “Thanks for coming, Lane, it means a lot.”

         “No problem Louis, you did great!” I said.  “And that last song…”

         “Purely coincidental.” He stated.