A Dream for Two Read Online Free Page A

her trying to catch the same break.
     
    As Dylan confidently sauntered off the stage Elise sank down in her seat so that he wouldn’t see her. She realized how foolish that was considering that she’d soon be up on stage and then of course he’d see her. But she wanted to avoid facing him for as long as possible.
     
    Four performers and an additional shot of neat vodka later, Elise’s name was called. Taking a deep breath she picked up her guitar and approached the stage.
     
    “Elise here is a newcomer,” clipboard guy explained to the crowd. “So go easy on her.”
     
    “You need to hurl, sweetheart?” someone kindly heckled. Elise ignored them. The walk towards the stage felt like the green mile but she kept her head down and remained focused. Her hands wanted to shake as she set her case down and popped it open but she refused to let them.
     
    She sat down on the chair, and clipboard guy lowered the microphone to her level as she was the shortest performer that night by far. She placed the guitar strap around her neck and the spotlight was directed at her. It was so bright that it blocked out the crowd. If Dylan had spotted her by now, she thankfully couldn’t see his reaction.
     
    An anticipated hush fell over the crowd. Elise positioned her fingers upon the strings. She closed her eyes and reminded herself of all the times she’d played this song, all the times she’d strummed the music, sung the lyrics. She didn’t even remember to introduce the song, she just played.
     
    Elise played as though she was sitting in her grandmother’s garden, beneath the willow tree with no one there listening. She was alone with just her music. She sang “Where the River Parts.” At times her voice cracked with pain but it always retained its sweet, strong pitch. She strummed the final chord and held her breath. Silence.
     
    Her heart began to hammer against her chest. Had she been so truly awful that the crowd couldn’t even bring themselves to applaud? Surely they’d applaud her out of politeness, or even pity. And then all of a sudden the silence was shattered. People applauded and cheered as emphatically as they had after Dylan’s set. Elise beamed with surprised joy as she carefully stood up, picked up her guitar case and left the stage.
     
    “That was actually okay,” a familiar voice declared loudly as she neared the sanctuary of her table at the back. Dylan was casually leaning against the wall. He turned away from the stage to look at her.
     
    “Just okay?” Elise asked. Buoyed by her performance, she felt invincible. She wasn’t about to let some cocky guy bring her down, no matter how handsome he was. And he did look handsome. He had on his usual leather jacket and dirtied jeans with work boots. His blue eyes regarded Elise with interest and he raised a hand to move some of his dark hair out of his line of sight.
     
    “You should take okay,” Dylan pointed at her, smiling wryly. “Okay is decent, especially for a waitress.”
     
    Elise narrowed her eyes at him, willing herself to remain composed.
     
    “I told you, I’m a musician.”
     
    “So if I head to Deena’s Diner tomorrow you won’t be there serving coffee?” Dylan raised an eyebrow at her.
     
    “You’re one to talk!” Elise fired at him. “You act like you’re some big hotshot musician but you’re not! Anyway, I thought you were in a band?”
     
    “I am,” Dylan stared intently at her. “But this here, it’s just for me.” Then he gave her a quick wink, stood up and walked away. 
     

Chapter 4
     
    Elise couldn’t stop thinking about Dylan throughout the following week. There was something about his music, or rather the way he sang it, which was just so alluring. He had totally gotten under her skin. But then she hated how arrogant he was. He’d called her just a waitress? Who did he think he was?
     
    “He sounds like a bad boy,” Gloria purred with approval over lunch the following