Kate tried to recover her bearings as her heart pounded with excitement. The very sight of him left her breathless and light-headed. She hadn’t seen him in more than a week, during which time she’d been rehearsing with the band ten hours a day and he was out of town on business. They’d spoken almost every day, usually late at night and sometimes for more than an hour. When she mentioned she would be making her debut with the band, Reid surprised her by telling her he had been invited to the party.

In the twenty minutes she played without the band, she felt Reid’s eyes on her the entire time. But like she always did when she was performing, she tuned out everything and let the music take over. She had honed that skill at the hotel over the summer, and it came in handy now. It also helped to be playing for a receptive audience that was generous with its applause.

She was exhausted by the time the band finished its final set at midnight.

“You’re one helluva singer, little lady,” an inebriated older man said.

Kate took a step back when he got too close to her.

Reid came up behind her, took her by the elbow, and guided her away from the overeager fan. “Quite a show, little lady,” he whispered in her ear.

She giggled. “Give a little lady a ride home?”

“Where’s your car?”

“At home. I rode with Billy.”

“Let’s go.”

They said good night to the hosts, who were effusive in their praise for Kate’s performance.

Outside, Reid helped her into the Mercedes.

Kate leaned back against the soft leather seat and kicked off her high heels. “God, I’m so tired. I used to do four-hour shifts at the hotel, but I don’t ever remember being this tired.”

“You worked hard tonight.”

“I’ve been working hard for two weeks. I’m ready for a break.”

“When do you play again?” he asked as he drove south toward the city.

“Next weekend. We’re not practicing again until Wednesday, so I have three blessed days off.”

“That works out well.”

She turned her head so she could see him. She never got tired of looking at him. “Why’s that?”

“I have to go to Memphis for the day on Monday. I wondered if you might want to come along. There’s something there I think you might enjoy seeing.”

She gasped and sat up straight in her seat. “Graceland? Can we go to Graceland?”

He chuckled. “I don’t think you really want to.”

“Don’t play with me when it comes to Elvis, baby,” she said, affecting the King’s accent.

“So I’ll take that as a yes.”

She reached for his hand. “I’d love to go to Memphis with you. And not just because of Elvis.”

He squeezed her hand. “Good.”