Okay, they were both out of breath when he was done. "Miss me?" he asked with a wink.
She swatted his chest. "I was too busy to miss you."
"You lie. You did too miss me."
"Maybe a little."
They bundled up against the wind coming off the lake and set out at a brisk clip. It was a bright day, the kind when you could feel the sun was getting stronger and spring was getting closer. The blue of the sky and the lake were almost blinding in their intensity.
He skipped over the lack of progress in his contract negotiation and told her about the photo shoot and the lip-sync battle. "You should come," he said. "Some of the wives and girlfriends are going to perform-I know Lovey is, and Jenna. And Kim … I think you met her at the baby shower."
She nibbled her bottom lip. "It sounds like fun."
"It's going to be hilarious."
"I can see if Rachel wants to come with me. There are still tickets available?"
"I think it's sold out, but we all got tickets and I still have mine."
"Oh. Okay."
"When's the launch party at Belmondo?"
"Not next week, but the week after. Wednesday night."
"That's going okay?"
"Yes, great. It's been relatively simple to plan. I got another corporate job this week too, planning a conference for Mayberry Foods. It's not until next year, but they've already booked me."
"That's great."
"It is. Business has really picked up lately. I guess the more your name gets out there, the more business that attracts."
"Plus, you're good at what you do."
"You keep saying that, and yet you can't really know it."
"I know it."
She smiled and shook her head.
They stopped at a little cupcake bakery for cake and coffee, then walked back to Katelyn's place, where they later ordered in Thai food, which they ate on Katelyn's bed while watching TV. And then they shook the sheets, as Hughie would say.
-
Katelyn and Rachel arrived at the Onyx Opera Hall for the Aces Lip Sync War.
"I really have no idea what to expect," Katelyn told Rachel as they found their seats in the theater, holding the glasses of wine they'd purchased at the bar in the lobby area.
"Haven't you watched that show, Lip Sync Battle?"
"Nope."
"How about Jimmy Fallon? He sometimes has guests that he battles with."
"Okay, yeah, I think I've seen that a couple of times."
"Who are the judges?" Rachel perused the small program they'd been handed as they entered. "Omigod, their coach. And the manager of the team."
"And Gray Marsdon," Katelyn added excitedly, naming an up-and-coming pop star. "I love his music!"
"Traysha Simpson, part of the Draven Dance Theater. This is really cool."
The theater was filling up, and the audience was largely women, Katelyn noted.
The show got started. The master of ceremonies was a local TV personality, Linden Jonah, who told a few bad hockey jokes that nonetheless got the audience laughing and loosened up.
"Okay, ladies and gentlemen! Our first contestant this evening is goaltender Brent Stoyko! Come on out, Brent!"
The big goalie sauntered onto the stage, waving as the audience applauded. Katelyn covered her mouth at how he was dressed, in a seventies disco-style suit with flared pants.
"So what song have you chosen for your lip-sync performance tonight, Brent?" Linden asked.
" 'Shut Out/Heaven Is a Disco,' by Paul Jabara," Brent said into the microphone.
Linden laughed. " 'Shut out.' Of course. All right, then … the stage is yours!" He moved away, the lights dimmed, and then the instrumental opening of the song began.
The crowd was soon bopping and laughing as Brent performed a shortened version of the song, including some very stiff and awkward disco dance moves, his mouth wide open as he pretended to hit the high notes of the song.
The show moved on to Eric Barclay doing some pretty good moves to "Boom! Shake the Room" by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. Andrew Ross and his girlfriend, Jenna, performed to "You're the One That I Want" from Grease, which was super-cute, Andrew dressed in jeans, a white tee, and a black leather jacket; Jenna in black leggings and a tight top.
"They're so good!" Katelyn said as she clapped and cheered along with everyone else.