Musical Dates

By Barri Naven

Laney Grant and her bestie are preparing for their thirtieth birthdays, when they will become serious about finding The One, by competing to see who can go on the most blind dates. What Laney isn't expecting is to be trapped in an elevator with Wright Sinclair, who is everything she wants in a man. Unfortunately, he is unavailable for multiple reasons.

 

Wright Sinclair has never been stuck in an elevator, nor has he ever been publicly dumped by his girlfriend as soon as he steps out of the elevator when the electricity is restored, although the break up is not really a surprise. What is a surprise is repeatedly bumping into the intriguing Laney Grant after the power outage fiasco and learning Laney will not date him because of her blind date contest rules. Wright perseveres, but just when he learns victory is nearly his, fate puts an insurmountable obstacle between them, and he needs to make a choice between Laney and his career.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barri Naven
• Release date: Mar 29, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224919901

Barri Naven

Barri Naven lives on Cape Cod where she avoids the summer traffic by hiding at home with her trusty laptop, long-suffering husband, and all the chocolate she can find. Escaping from reality in a romance novel, the ultimate goal a happy ending, is her idea of a good read.

Book preview

Chapter 1

WORKING LATE ON A FRIDAY wasn’t Laney Grant’s idea of fun, and the fact it was July first and she was anticipating the three day weekend only compounded the disappointment. But she’d needed to finish the crucial project for her boss, even though Brenda would hardly be checking her email over the weekend to see if Laney had finished, but at least the job was done.

And she had a coffee date to look forward to as soon as she could make it to Café Bella. She’d be cutting it close, but she should make it in time to meet Owen. Logging off, she wondered what Owen would be like. Possibly like all the other blind dates had been, but possibly better. It didn’t matter either way.

Since she was the last one to leave the Customer Support department, the office was silent, and she gathered her purse and the pink box from Sweet Treats Bakery she’d picked up off the lobby on her lunch hour. The first floor of Portage Place was limited to shops and restaurants, making life ultra convenient since Laney didn’t need to leave the high rise at lunch time to forage for food or run an errand or two. Such as trips to the bakery. Not expecting to experience any kind of fireworks with Owen, despite the Fourth of July happening on Monday, she was bringing her usual offering of a four pack of treats so they would part on good terms when the date inevitably fell apart.

Reaching the elevator bank, it felt a little eerie to her to be the only human around, and Laney wondered if she’d make it all the way from the tenth floor to the lobby without seeing anyone. It would certainly make for a quick trip down. Poking the call button, she waited about two minutes for the elevator, then glanced inside to find the car empty. Pushing the button for the first floor, she automatically looked up at the numbers, then inhaled the scent of sugar from the box in her hand. Maybe Owen would share a treat or two with her before they left the café.

The elevator came to a stop on the ninth floor and she stepped to the side, her eyes meeting those of the man stepping in. Tall, dark, and handsome, her favorite type. She wasn’t aware of how many companies shared the second through the fourteenth floors of Portage Place because she’d never taken the time to really study the directory in the lobby, but she suspected there were dozens. Hello. She’d never seen the man before, but since they were the only two aboard, plus she was in a long-weekend-ahead mood, then why not be friendly?

Hello. Wright Sinclair wasn’t used to being greeted on elevators, and he wondered if the brunette was going to be a talker. But what if she was? The ride to the lobby probably wouldn’t take more than a minute.

Laney was always interested in elevator behaviors, especially when there were multiple people on board. Mister TDH stood to the side, pretty much as far back from the doors as she stood, and they were now both silent. Maybe Owen would be as nice looking as this guy, and she could gaze across the table at him, listening to his scintillating conversation. Or watch him slurp his coffee. Most likely Owen would fall somewhere in between the two extremes, as did most of her dates.

As she was imagining what Owen might be wearing, anywhere from a suit to a tee shirt and shorts, the lights flickered and went out and the elevator jerked to a stop. Drabitall. She didn’t care for the complete darkness, nor did she like being trapped in a steel box. No doubt Mister TDH felt the same, but so far she didn’t hear him hyperventilating in the silence. Maybe some conversation wouldn’t come amiss. So, do you come here often?

Wright huffed out a laugh, wondering how soon the power would be restored. Tapping his flashlight app, he grabbed the elevator’s emergency phone, wondering why he was bothering because security would be well aware the elevators were stuck. What they might not know was the light wasn’t working, and he shared that with the guy who answered his call as Security, Carl here. When Wright shared the light situation, Carl shared his displeasure about that damn kid who hadn’t taken care of the lights, and Wright disconnected and turned off his phone app.

Laney appreciated her fellow trapped person making the phone call that might get them rescued sooner, and when he disconnected, she said, I’m a little disappointed in Portage Place for not having emergency generators powerful enough to keep this elevator moving.

Wright glanced toward the woman, wondering why he bothered since he couldn’t see anything in the dark. With fourteen stories? Don’t you think that’s asking a lot?

Maybe. But if you don’t ask, you have no chance of getting.

In this case, not even asking will help.

Why on Earth would the power go out? It’s a beautiful summer day, or evening rather, and we’re not in the middle of a lightning storm or a blizzard or anything.

Maybe a transformer blew. Wright thought about his dinner reservations, wondering if he and Paige would make it on time, then he tapped his phone.

Seeing the man using his phone, Laney thought maybe she needed to call Dani so Dani could call Owen and explain the situation. After she put her purse and the bakery box down, she tapped her own phone, and when she heard Dani’s cheerful voice she turned and faced the back corner, not sure how much privacy that would give her.

Hi there. I’m stuck in an elevator at work because of a power outage. Can you call Owen?

When Paige answered, Wright didn’t think her voice sounded any happier than it had lately, and he hadn’t even shared the news yet. Paige, power outage at Portage Place and the elevators are stuck. I don’t know when I’ll be able to pick you up for dinner. When her sigh came through loud and clear, he wished he had texted instead.

What about our reservations? Paige asked. What are we supposed to do? I really want to go to the Ascot tonight. Can’t you call someone to fix it? Or why don’t you take the stairs instead of the elevator? Wright, is that a woman’s voice I hear? Are you with someone? Is that what this is about?

He shook his head and closed his eyes. I’m in an elevator, and I’m not the only one stuck here. I will pick you up as soon as I can, but if we’re not out of here in the next fifteen minutes, I’m going to cancel the reservations and we’ll go somewhere else for dinner.

I’m coming down there, and I’ll wait for you in the lobby, Paige said.

You sure? I don’t know how long this’ll take.

Yes, Wright. I am absolutely sure. Your boss should pay for my parking ticket in the garage since you had to work late.

Wright thought about dinner at the Ascot, which had felt like a last ditch effort to rekindle whatever had brought Paige and him together at that party three months ago, because nothing felt as it should between them anymore, and hadn’t for weeks. Maybe even for months. I’ll take care of it.

Good. I’ll be in the lobby, Paige said.

Chapter 2

LANEY’S CHAT WITH DANI had been quick and to the point. Unlike Mister TDH’s. She didn’t know the first thing about him, but she could sense his stress level was rising, and she hoped it was only because of the call with Paige. Laney had felt uncomfortable but overhearing both sides of the conversation had been unavoidable since Paige’s voice had been on the loud side. As well as the whiny side. If elevator etiquette dictated Laney keep her mouth closed as if nothing embarrassing had just happened, she’d never gotten that memo. I’m sorry your plans are messed up.

Wright had put his phone away, as had the woman, and he’d come to appreciate the total darkness. If he had the power, he would have thanked that damn kid for his lack of attention to details because he didn’t want to see the expression on the woman’s face. He wondered how much she had heard. Not your fault. How about you? Do you have plans?

Yes. You know what, I’m going to sit. These heels aren’t the best for standing in one place. She eased down, careful not to crush the box or her purse.

Good idea.

So my plans ... Not that you asked, or even want to know, but I have a blind date for coffee. I don’t have the guy’s number, so my friend who arranged it is calling him.

You think you’ll reschedule?

Yes, she said. Even though I could take this as a sign that it isn’t meant to be, it’s only for coffee, so why not? Plus, he’ll be my fifth, and my friend, Hope, still only has four, so I need Owen to get ahead.

That was a lot to unpack, but Wright figured he wasn’t going anywhere. Your fifth what?

My fifth blind date. Hope and I have a contest to see how many blind dates we can go on before we turn thirty in a few months. Whoever has the most will be the winner.

Wright stared in the general vicinity of her voice, processing this contest. Why are you doing this? Other than trying to be the winner.

"Because once we turn thirty we’re going to be taking dating seriously. It will be time to find the one and get married."

What if you find the one before your contest is over? Does that mean you win?

No, for now it’s all about the number of blind dates, she said.

What if a guy asks you out for a second date?

I just explain I’m not ready for anything serious.

He wished he could see her face. The contest sounded whacked to him. But then he was still dating someone who quite possibly had tired of him, and vice versa, and in a big way. And the guys you say that to are all right with it?

They have been so far. Hey, you know what? I’ve got a box of cupcakes here and the smell of them is driving me out of my mind, and possibly you as well. Since we haven’t heard any signs of a rescue, would you like one? I bought them to give to Owen, my blind date, but actually getting to see him tonight is looking less hopeful by the minute. They’re really nice cupcakes, too, with pretty frosting and sprinkles. She felt around for the box, then carefully settled it on her lap.

Cupcakes are what he’d been smelling? He’d thought it was the woman’s perfume. He didn’t typically have dessert before dinner, but why the hell not? Yes. I’d like one.

Great. Then I won’t feel bad eating in front of you. Or beside you, rather. Do you have a preference as to the color frosting? she said.

He laughed. I’m not particular.

Good, because my phone’s in my purse and I don’t want to pull it out just for the flashlight. It’s more fun to be surprised, anyway. Laney carefully reached into the box and wrapped her fingers around a foil cupcake liner. Okay, I’ve got it in my hand. Where’s your hand?

Wright grinned, imagining someone overhearing their conversation. He moved his hand until it bumped warm skin. That’s my hand. He felt one of her hands cup his, then he felt something placed on his palm. Thanks.

"You’re welcome. I’ve never had a cupcake in the dark, and I’ll probably end up wearing some of it. But who cares? No one can see me. I know you don’t care about this tip, but my favorite way to eat cupcakes is to