now or never

“ I can’t say I’m terribly disappointed. I do eat lunch with him most days of the week, whereas I don’t get to see you quite as much.. I’m very charmed you agree. Also, the lounge-around-chic look is definitely not for work colleague eyes. [..] Thank you. A lot going on with the club, work.. Do you want to tell me about it? ”

“See, I was hoping you’d say that. [..] Club, work. Yeah. I promised myself I wouldn’t talk about work when I get here, but.. Rose, one of my newest artists, I think you met her once, got into an accident and we had to quickly find a replacement for one of the the performances we had scheduled. Her nose is broken and was unable to perform. Also studio reservations, photoshoots, etc. had to be postponed and so on and on. It’s a little boring. How was your week?”

“ You’ll take one look at my summer rolls and it’ll be like you haven’t eaten all day. I know how this goes by now. Luckily for you I ordered when I was having a bit of a snack attack and there might be some extra.. Well, they are quite comfortable as well.. Okay, give me one minute, I’ll at least brush my hair and be right with you. You can get us some glasses ready in the meantime. Thank you. You look very nice. Is this a fancy city dinner with Chris that you’re coming from? ”

“Why thanks, Freya. So do you. As always. I’m really feeling the lounge-around-chic look. Oh, no, we had dinner around here. I picked him up after his last class and then went to this Italian place to discuss some upcoming events for the club. Leon’s, I think it’s called? Their pasta is amazing. So I’m stuffed. I do have an extra stomach for summer rolls though, so... you’re probably not wrong about that. Chris is sending his dearest greetings, by the way. He wanted to come, but I really wanted to spend some time with you alone again. [..] I’m sorry for being curt with you the past few days. There was a lot going on.”

“ Well, if you had called, I would have made sure to order you some food, too. So that’s mostly your loss, since all I have here right now is greek yoghurt and three slices of whole grain bread and I won’t be sharing my Pho. But it sounds like there’s wine in store for me.. Well, luck’s on your side. I did always rather fancy the American spontaneity. I’m just.. I’m already in my pyjamas, so. Just get in here. Let’s see the wine you brought? ”

“That’s very sweet of you, thank you, but I had dinner with Chris before I got here, so I’m far from hungry. Hey, I like the pyjamas. They look very comfortable. I’m a little jealous, not going to lie. Well, I got us a 2018 Foris, Pinot Gris. The one you liked last time.”

“Hey. Uh, not the delivery guy. Sorry. I did bring wine, though. I know it’s quite late, but I was close by and thought I’d try my luck. Can’t help but feel like I should’ve called now, though.”

“ Thank you, guys! I’ve been AJ. You can find me on Spotify and iTunes and if you’d like to see more of this beautiful face, ” she gestured to her own face with a playful smile. “ On YouTube, too. Just look for ‘AJ’, two letters. Thank you! ” She thanked the small crowd in Kian’s bar as she put down her guitar. “And now, since it’s a Friday night. The first person to scream ‘Adam Sandler is my favorite actor because of his raw talent’ gets free drinks on the house all night! ” With a big grin she hopped off the stage. 

“There she is!” Kian beamed as AJ hopped off the stage, handing her a bottle of water, figuring her throat must be suffering after the set. “Killing it as always,” he complimented, chewing his gum. He couldn’t quite believe AJ, one of his best, most popular artists was back in Chicago. “How’d it feel?”