Read Online London Harmony: Roctoberfest by Erik Schubach - Free Book Online

too.”
    Mei comically said, “I'd say 'yes ma'am' if I didn't think you'd take it as permission.”
    Mick winked at her. “Wise woman.”
    Mick and Caroline slid into the truck, leaving me alone to speak with Mei in private. I was suddenly bashful.  She said, “Well I guess this is goodbye.”
    I nodded and looked down.  “Unless... unless you want to hang out sometime.”  Then I rushed out.  “We have a gig at O' Riley's tomorrow night if you want to come.”
    I glanced at her and she was smiling.  She nodded once and held her mobile out.  I typed in my number.  She said, “I don't really like clubs. Too many people, but sure, I'd like that.”
    We both smiled and looked down then I almost jumped out of my skin when Mick honked then hung her head out the window.  “Good lord, do I have to do everything?  Now kiss and say goodbye and we can get going before I die of old age.”
    I stared at Mick in shock, could she possibly embarrass me any more than... bloody hell... what was I thinking?  Wait, how does my brain work?  All I knew were the bright lights swimming in my vision and I felt like I was on fire.  It was all heat and desire as I realized Mei's delicate lips were on mine.  I sighed into the gentle kiss and she was gone.
    I stood there for a few seconds with a silly grin on my face watching her almost skip off, her arm swinging.  Until brain function was restored with Mick honking again.  I flipped Mick off, to her delight, and slid in beside Caroline, who looked like she wanted to run around hugging teddy bears and draw little hearts on everything.  I whispered, “I hate you both.”
    Caroline just hugged my arm and laid her head on my shoulder as she sang, “Kacy and Mei, sitting in a tree...”  I elbowed her in the gut, which just set the two women off in a fit of laughter.  I hate myself for smiling at their antics.
    I got my gear stowed in my storage unit and said good-night to the ladies and then as I walked up the gangplank to the Dragon Lady, my mobile started chirping away.  I looked down to see Mei  Hammond on the screen.  I clamped my mouth to stop an excited squeal and scampered into my cabin as I answered, “Hello?”
    She said in an offhanded tone, “Bored.  Say words to me.”
    I snickered. “Yes ma'am.”  Then kicked back on my little bed and put my feet up on the shelf that went around the room.  We talked for hours.  I got up and made a snack at one point then laid back down.  I had to plug my mobile into the charger as I spoke as the battery was ready to give up the ghost.
    We talked about everything and nothing and I wound up dozing off around two in the morning.  I shook myself to keep my eyes open then grinned like a loon when I heard gentle snoring on her end.  I just sat and listened to her sleep until her battery died.

Chapter 4 – My Own Flat
    The next morning I was in a bloody good mood.  Even though we were most likely out of the competition, I couldn't help smiling at my conversations with Mei.  I took a quick shower and stared at myself in the mirror.
    For the most part, I don't think about my looks.  But I just stared, looking side to side, seeing every single imperfection in my face, wondering if I were pretty.  I'd never be classically pretty like Caroline, or have the hard beauty of Mick, and especially not the delicate beauty of Mei, but I thought maybe I could be passable if I tried.
    I held my straight honey streaked hair up in a bun and looked side to side.  I made a face at myself then stuck out my tongue and let my hair drop.  I sort of liked my brown eyes.  They were slightly large for my face and I felt they gave me a slight doe-eyed look.  My nose was too pointed for my taste and I always wished I had a more button shaped nose like Caroline, or maybe a graceful one like Paya Doshi's.
    I smiled at myself.  Okay, my smile was cute.  I can work with cute.  I made a silly face at myself and mussed up my hair.  I grinned.