Chapter 8

8

TREY

T he sunshiney look on Electra's face as she answers the door Sunday morning makes my heart swell. She's just so happy to see me, even before I hold out two bags. "Fancy frappuccinos, plus egg and bacon burritos."

"Amazeballs!"

We eat in the kitchen, and I try not to gawk at her too much. Today her hair is tied up in a messy topknot with a leafy green clip. She's wearing another slouchy sweatshirt, this one faded sage green, over baggy black sweatpants.

She catches me looking and grins. "Yeah, I know. I guess I always dress like I'm ready for painting or gardening."

"Hey, wear what you like. We're going to be working today." I stare into her beautiful navy eyes. "Are you excited to sing this evening?"

Electra swallows a sip of coffee, then nods. "I've already spent half an hour on vocal warm-ups."

"Don't you have to do those right before you sing?"

"Not really. It can be done anytime, as long as you don't take a nap or something in the middle of the day. Something about sleeping undoes the work of opening the throat, not sure why. I'll do a little more right before recording."

I squeeze her hand. "See? I'm learning so much about this whole musical adventure from you."

"Ooh, adventure. I like that." Her fingers tap restlessly on the table. "I think part of me is going to be glad when this is over."

"Yeah, I'm sure. But I also hope that you enjoy the process. You don't get to do it that often, so, you know… Make the most of it."

The smile that curves her luscious pink lips makes me hard as steel, but I'm determined not to distract her today. Well, not too much. "Hey, does kissing undo your vocal warm-ups?"

"Nope." Her eyes sparkle as she leans in, helping herself to a deep, sensual kiss.

Finally, I tear myself away. "Okay, time to focus. The faster we are, the more studio time you'll have."

I hurry out to the van to grab a few more things and haul them inside. She nods appreciatively as I turn on an industrial air filter. Then I plug in my work vacuum and hand her the open-ended hose.

"While I sand, you're going to suck up almost all of the dust with that thing. The filter will get the rest."

"Gotcha."

As I work, I appreciate Electra's focus. She doesn't check her phone. Doesn't take her eyes off of what we're doing. She aims the vacuum just as accurately as she did the flashlight before.

"You really are an incredible assistant." I lean over to kiss her temple. "Not to mention the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. But the assistant thing is way more important."

She's insanely cute when she laughs at me. "You're so ridiculous."

Once I'm done sanding, Electra puts on a pot of coffee while I wipe down the area with a slightly damp cloth to get the last of the dust.

After applying a quick coat of primer, we make sandwiches and sit in the backyard while it dries. Once again, we chit-chat about everything under the sun, including the hidden treasures of Sandersville and the nearby cities.

I check my watch. "It's been about an hour. I can paint in around…thirty minutes. Since it's the same color as the adjoining walls, I don't have to be super fussy along the edges. Then I can move everything out of the way and you can start recording."

"Really?"

"Yup. I can do the second coat in two or three hours, or wait longer if you like. I can come back wherever you want. Oh – I need your number."

We pull out our phones and create profiles for each other. I use an avatar of a lightning bolt for her, and the name "Electrifying".

"I love that you're silly." She looks up at me with her lovely wide eyes. "I've seen so many guys being so serious with women. Following someone around at a party, trying to come up with a perfect opening line. I like that you're fun."

"Oh, it's all a ruse," I shrug. "Just to make you fall for me. Once I've got you hooked, it's going to be all algebra and historical architecture, I promise."

She throws her head back and laughs. "Okay. Noted. Plus, you have to teach me everything you know about the electrical profession."

"Yeah? You're thinking about giving up your career as a cook and secret-but-brilliant songstress to become an electrician?"

"Probably not." She bites her delectable bottom lip. "But it would give us something to do together."

I take her hands in mine. "Electra, there is so much we're going to do together." I lean in closer, until our noses are almost touching. "Like archery."

Her forehead taps against mine as she laughs. "Archery? Are you serious?"

"Dead serious. My buddy Evan works at Sandersville Open Range. I'm taking you there on a date soon. I can arrange a private session so we can be alone. Plus movies, the art gallery. If there are any shows you want to see in Nashville, and you don't want to go with your family…"

She opens her mouth, but I hold a finger across it. "Before you say anything, please know that I will be chauffeuring you around in my plain black car, not this fabulously roomy but utilitarian electrician's van."

I can't quite read her expression. "Are you talking about actually…" Her finger drifts back and forth between my chest and hers.

Ducking my head, I lick the tip of her finger, making her giggle and jump back. "Dating? Yes. A relationship? Hell yes. Negotiating what your parents are going to think about you dating someone boring? I will leave that up to your discretion when we get there."

"Wow."

My arm slides around her, as she leans in close. "How long will it take you to record the vocals?"

Her shoulder runs up and down against my side in an exaggerated shrug. "I'm not sure. Some singers need hundreds of takes to get it right. And others nail it on the first try."

"Is it the tone, that you're hitting every note perfectly? Or is it about hitting the right…you know, emotion. Feeling?"

"Wow." Her eyes glow. "This really interests you."

"I just like to know how things work."

She smiles. "When I have the house to myself, I practice for hours. I'm pretty sure I have four songs down cold."

"You said you had five. What's wrong with the fifth?"

She makes a face. "Nothing wrong with it, exactly. There are just so many different ways it could go. I'll have to try a few versions to see which one feels best."

I chuckle, cuddling her to me. "I love that about music. You can have a sincere discussion about the vibe and the feelings of a piece. In my line of work, trust me, you don't want any feelings. This is the first job I've ever had feelings about."

She blushes faintly, making her look even more like a beautiful angel. "Am I allowed to say that, Electra? Because I do have feelings for you. I know it's fast, but…" She looks so rattled that I change my thought mid-sentence. "It feels like we have potential. Right?"

"Yes. Potential. But…"

I don't like the way she hesitates. "You can tell me anything, gorgeous. I'm pretty much un-offendable, if that's a word."

Her face tucks into my shoulder. "I just know there's going to be stress with my parents. Mom is so…unpredictable." Her head tips up to meet my eyes, and she smiles softly. "For the record, it's not drugs. People assume that. She's just super high strung. A weirdo, like me."

"For the record? I think you're the right kind of weird for me." My hand squeezes her hip. "I get this is going super fast, and you're supposed to be focused on your project. Details of us can be figured out later, right?"

Electra lets out a heavy, relieved sigh, rubbing her shoulder against me again to make me grin. "Right. Thanks."

"Cool. Now, I'm going to get set up for painting, and you can let me know how much space you need to record. This paint barely smells at all, so I'm hoping it won't bother you."

"Perfect."

As we get up and go inside, I have to wonder what I was thinking. I almost told her that I already know she's the one.

One of the things about electricity is that a current is always searching for ground. Our electricity is off the charts, but I don't think we're grounded enough yet for any big declarations, especially when she's so focused on getting this project done. That's okay. I'll wait for her.

Even if I already know we're perfect for each other.