Chapter 3

3

" Y ou were phenomenal, just like usual!" said Esme in Mia's ear above the applause.

"Can we get another big round of applause for the Indigo Lounge's favorite star, Mia Cortés!"

Another wave of applause and stomping feet ran through the bar and for a brief moment, Mia found herself worried for the neighbors.

"I've prepared you a little celebration drink behind the bar as well as a chunk of the proceeds made tonight as my way of thanks."

"What? Esme, you didn't have to do that!"

"I know, but please, don't protest. I've only been able to offer you drinks and little bits of the tip jar before, when you should've been getting paid to sing all this time in bigger venues. I consider myself very lucky that you have chosen the lounge as your stage."

"And as my second home, you know that," said Mia, squeezing Esme's arm, "Thank you." She kissed Esme's cheek and started to squeeze her way towards the bar.

Getting anywhere seemed to take an age as every step she took, she would be taken by the arm and pulled into a group of people. Sometimes it was regulars she'd seen before who were so happy at the turnout and proud to be her original groupies. At other times, it was groups of music journalists or social media influencers who wanted to get the latest scoop on who Mia was and where she was performing next. Several people took photos with her and even Ruby cornered her asking her to sign her chest. Mia knew that Ruby was just doing it as a joke in honor of this rockstar reception, but she still indulged her after a very poignant eye-roll. As she talked with people and jested and joked, she felt a heavy set of feline eyes watching her. Every time she tried to find them, however, they were nowhere to be found.

By the time she finally reached the bar, she needed the drink more than anything and practically inhaled the sweet cocktail in one gulp.

"Being this popular is thirsty work," spoke a familiar voice from behind her. She turned to be tackled by Deborah in a hug. "You were incredible, Mia! I mean, to me, you sounded as fabulous as ever, but the way you worked the crowd tonight was truly?—"

"Spectacular," interrupted a rich velvety voice, deep and smoky.

"I guess by now she needs no introduction, but Mia, this is Harper, my friend from college. I asked her here tonight."

Up close, the woman who she'd been singing to was a lot more imposing and now that she didn't have the rush from the crowd to bolster her, Mia felt herself beginning to shrink under her pressure. Her unusual golden eyes naturally flicked upwards at the corner in a permanent smile, both a delight and a threat in different lighting.

She raised a slim, elegant hand in greeting, her skin was as smooth as polished onyx. Mia looked at her hand with its few bejeweled rings and didn't know whether to kiss it like royalty or shake it as an equal. Sensing the young woman's uncertainty, Harper stepped forward and took one of Mia's hands in hers.

"Charmed." She winked. "For once, I'm glad to have listened to Deborah and will admit she did well to recommend you. You have star potential, and I am not the type to say that."

"She's really not," added Deborah.

"Alright, shut it, you," she said poking Deborah's rib and making her squirm. This playful side to the Amazonian beauty before her, made Mia's heart flutter. She liked the smile on Harper's face as she teased her friend, it was real and full of happiness and affection.

"Wait, did you say your friend from college?" said Mia, suddenly recalling the earlier introduction. Harper laughed out loud, a hearty laugh that was sweet as honey and intoxicating, it made Mia blush and wish to hear it again, however Deborah suddenly took Mia by the shoulders and looked at Mia with mock seriousness.

"Now Mia, you've just given the performance of a lifetime and I'm very proud of you, but I warn you…choose your next words very carefully."

Over one of Deborah's shoulders, Esme and Ruby had appeared nearby having clearly heard the whole interaction and pulling an awkward face. Over her other shoulder, Harper had put her hat back on and her shoulders bobbed lightly from laughing and trying to stay quiet. The corners of Deborah's mouth were trying to stay straight and not laugh with her friend, and she lightly nodded to urge Mia to continue her earlier train of thought.

"Umm, I meant… Uh, like in the same year?"

At this, Harper couldn't keep her composure and she howled again, making Ruby and Esme begin laughing as well. Deborah gave up and sputtered a laugh as well. Mia, although very confused, also started laughing.

"You cheeky bitch!" said Deborah, slapping Mia's arm playfully.

"Yes darling," said Harper, grabbing Mia's arm possessively and making her blush more. "We are both the same age. Although my beautiful sorority sister here looks by no means her fifty or so years, I am fortunately blessed with the dewy youthful skin of a thirty-year-old."

"Yes, and sadly cursed with the biggest ego I've ever seen."

Mia watched as the two women fought like children and the atmosphere lightened. The whole time, Harper didn't let go of her arm, as though she were afraid that Mia would want to be anywhere else. Up close and in better lighting, Mia realized that Harper wore nothing under her blazer. She wore tape to secure her blazer and modesty, but the bare skin of her chest shimmered from the glittering bronze powder that lightly dusted it. Mia suddenly realized that she had been staring at Harper's chest and looked away blushing, but something in the smile Harper then gave her suggested she had noticed.

"Anyway!" said Harper loudly to cover up an embarrassing story that Deborah had started, "the real focus of tonight is this woman right here. Where did you learn to sing like that and perform?"

"Well, my abuela was a flamenco dancer and singer in Granada where I was born. She sang during and after the war and she taught my mother. I picked up a lot from the pair of them. They taught me so much about life and performance."

"The strength of women never ceases to amaze me," said Harper. "They are clearly fantastic mentors."

A few people nodded in agreement nearby, their conversation having clearly garnered the attention of the closest people.

"Listen to me, Mia, I'm going to be frank with you. Talent like yours comes along once in a lifetime and I wouldn't be worth the heels I'm standing in as a talent scout if I walked away without signing you. How does that sound to you, would you let me represent you and give you everything you have ever dreamed of?"

It sounded so intimate to Mia, like a personal contract binding her to Harper, but strangely, the idea began to awaken that adrenaline in her again and she felt her confidence rising at the very thought of being bound to her. Harper seemed to blush at the sudden change in the air between them and Mia squeezed her arm.

"Nothing would make me happier."

Then Mia smiled, it was a genuine smile of sheer delight as the realization of what tonight's events meant for her future. After countless demoralizing gigs to empty bars, hecklers, drunk guys, it finally felt like she got the break she always dreamed of. Ruby came over and hugged her, jumping with excitement. The two girls spun each other round laughing as eavesdroppers nearby cheered for her, and over it all she heard Harper's voice saying from somewhere that she would contact her within the week. By the time she'd stopped spinning, giddy from the adrenaline comedown, Harper Nightingale had already left, and Mia could think of nothing else but her.