"Lily!" Abby said as she greeted Lily for lunch. They had planned a shopping date so Billie could get a few clothes and some things for the house.
"Love the ride. I bet if feels great to finally have a car." Abby said.
She was right. Having the old Jeep Cherokee made her feel like a human again. Being able to get in and drive to where she was going was something she took for granted in her previous life. They were meeting in Cave Creek to go to Walmart and other stores there.
"God it's going to be nice to have more than two pairs of underwear." Billie said, taking a bite of her salad.
Abby laughed. "I bet!" She said. "Any special someone to show your new undies to?"'she asked.
Billie had still talked to Gabe but only through text and when she saw him at open mic the two times she had been there. He was nice and slurry with her but he was too much of a player for Billie's taste. Then she remembered Easton. She hadn't told anyone about him, or that night. She wondered if he thought of her. What he was doing. How he was doing.
"No. No one actually. The panties are all for me." Billie said, smiling.
"Seriously though. You're beautiful. Like really beautiful. And talented. And sweet. I find that hard to believe, even in a small town like this where the picks are slim." Abby said.
"I'm not really interested in all that. I am focused on myself right now." Billie said.
"Well, you better tell Gabriel that. You're all he talks about lately." Abby said. Billie rolled her eyes.
"Me and every other female in the tri county area." Billie said with a laugh.
Abby looked at her seriously. "No. Not really. Not since you came around. He asks me to invite you out all the time. Talks about your songwriting. Your voice. How mysterious you are." Abby said, eating her last French fry.
"Ugh. I'm sure there are much prettier and more interesting women for him to talk and think about." Billie said. "And younger."
"How old are you anyway?" Abby asked.
"Old enough to know better." Billie said.
Abby laughed. "Well, I'm 31 and I know better. So we will just say you're 31." Abby said.
Billie laughed. "I like that. It's a good age."
They spent the day shopping and chatting. After she bought a new coffee maker, some essential things and clothes and some plants for the yard, Billie was exhausted.
"I forgot how much work it is to shop." Billie said, closing the back of her Jeep after loading it full.
"Right." Abby said, taking off her sandal and rubbing her feet sitting on the side of the street curb, watching people walk around little farmers market and food fair in town. Billie sat next to her as a small mariachi band began to play. There were lights up and various decorative paper lanterns. It was really pretty.
"Hello ladies." A voice said from behind them. It was Gabe and Pete.
"Hey there cool kids." Abby said. Billie looked up at them from where she was sitting on the curb.
"I haven't seen you for awhile. I heard you moved out of the motel and live here in Cave Creek now. Out by the Roadhouse." Gabe said.
"Yeah. I'm renting a house there." Billie said.
"We have a gig at the Roadhouse this Friday. You should come out." Gabe said, smiling shyly. "We really pack that place."
"I will try to stop out." She said. The band began to play a Freddy Fender song. He extended his hand. "Dance with me?" He asked.
Billie looked at Abby and then back up at Gabe. Why not? She thought.
"Ok." She said, taking his hand. He lead her to the center of an open area where others were dancing. The Edison bulb string lights and illuminated paper lanterns made for a a dreamy ambiance as he danced with her in slow circles. Her hands felt so small in his, she thought. She noticed that people were watching them. He tried to hold her gaze.
"I'll be there before the next teardrop falls..." the band sang. And then they went into a Spanish chorus which Gabe sang to her... "Si te quiere de verdad. Y te da felicidad
Te deseo lo más bueno pa' los dos
Pero si te hace llorar
A mé me puedes hablar
Y estaré contigo cuando triste estás." He sang into her ear. It was sexy. Really sexy.
"What does it mean?" Billie asked.
"If he (or she) truly loves you and he makes you happy, I wish you the best, both of you.
But if he makes you cry, you can talk to me and I'll be there for you when you're sad." Gabe said. "This was my grandmother's favorite song. One of them, anyway." He said, spinning her and stopping her, looking into her eyes. "You look beautiful tonight, in these lights." He said as he leaned in and kissed her. His mouth was on hers before she knew it. He wasn't harsh, but she felt uncomfortable about it. She pulled back and smiled. "Thank you. For the dance." She said as the song ended and she walked back to her car, leaving him standing there.
"My pleasure." He said to the empty space where she had been standing.