Good Girl Gone Plaid(34)
God, she’d been so naïve at seventeen. So idealistic.
“Please say you’ll come in. I’m singing too.”
That caught Sarah’s attention. “You’re singing?”
“Aye. I join the band on stage now and then.” Kenzie laughed. “There’s no need to sound so shocked. I’ve got a decent voice.”
“You do. I remember you used to sing on the bus to games we’d cheer at.” Sarah laughed. “We couldn’t shut you up, actually.”
“Ah, well now you need to come in tonight. You deserve a kick in the arse for that comment.”
“I do.” Sarah hesitated only a moment longer. “Fine, I’ll come in.”
“Good. Band goes on at eight thirty. See you tonight.”
“See you.” Sarah hung up the phone and shook her head.
Great, now she had to find something to wear beside yoga pants and a T-shirt. Not to mention she should probably take a shower again.
There was something to be said for being a sloth who never left the house. Oh well.
Before she’d even stepped into the pub, she could hear the quick, giddy notes of a fiddle and a beautiful melodic male voice singing along to the upbeat song.
Sarah pushed open the doors to the pub and strode inside. Her footsteps faltered at the scene before her.
This was nothing like it had been during the afternoon where only a handful of customers had lingered. The McLaughlin Pub house was apparently the place to be at night. It was packed to the point of standing room only, and the dance floor was crowded with people actually dancing.
Glancing to the bar, she hoped to find a free stool, but it was equally packed. The crowd around the bar was three deep, waiting to get in their orders.
She spotted a blonde female bartender making drinks beside Aleck, but Kenzie was nowhere to be seen.
Overwhelmed by the crowd and growing more self-conscious by the moment, Sarah glanced back at the door and debated fleeing to Gran’s house.
“Sarah!” Someone caught her elbow, and she vaguely heard her name above the music.
She glanced up to find Colin grinning down at her.
“Come join us for a drink, luv.” He gestured to a table in the corner. “I’ve got plenty of room.”
“Great, thanks.” She followed him back to the table and noted only one beer sitting there.
“Who else is here?” she asked, shrugging off her cardigan sweater. The crowd made it hot in here.
“Kenzie’s working the floor, and Aleck is behind the counter.” He paused. “Are you wondering if Ian is joining us?”
Her cheeks flushed and she gave a slight shrug.
“I don’t know, but there’s always a chance.” Colin’s expression turned gentle. “Will you be okay if he does?”
“I’ll be fine.” Probably. Maybe.
“Aye, you will.” He winked and waved down someone behind her. “What can I get you to drink?”
She glanced over her shoulder and saw Kenzie weaving her way through the crowd.
“Oh, um, maybe a glass of red wine?”
“Done. Kenzie, luv, get your friend a glass of—”
“I know what she likes.” Kenzie leaned down to hug Sarah. “So good to see you here. Are you hungry?”
“I ate a little something earlier, thanks though.”
Kenzie glanced at Colin. “Another beer, dear brother?”
“Not quite yet. Thanks, though.”
With a nod, Kenzie disappeared into the crowd again.
Sarah turned her attention to the small stage near the back of the pub.
“‘Whiskey in the Jar’?” She lifted a brow. “Isn’t this an Irish song?”
“Aye, well I suppose it is,” Colin agreed. “But it’s a song about whiskey, so we don’t hesitate to play it.”
“And you shouldn’t. It’s a fantastic song. Do you sing too?”
He grinned. “Only when I’ve had too much to drink, and even then, not all that well. Kenzie and Aleck are the only two who you’ll find on stage.”
“I see. I’m pretty awful myself.”
“I find that hard to believe. Pretty girls can’t have awful singing voices. There’s some kind of universal rule, I believe.”
She laughed, unable to help herself, and tried to ignore the fact that Colin was bordering on flirting now. The McLaughlins flirted. Every last one of them, and they did it well.
“That’s not a rule, and you would know it if you watched more music videos. Half these pop stars have zero talent.”
“Aye, I suppose you’re right. Can’t stand music videos. I’m surprised you do.”
“I don’t actually. My daughter does.” The laughter fled her voice and she knotted her fingers on the tabletop.