Free She's the One (Lowcountry Lovers Series Book 2) by Kim Boykin Page B

She hadn’t told Pearl she was sort of seeing Bo, because she knew Pearl was Team Shane all the way.
    “Really? Now there’s a surprise. How long—”
    “Hi, Bo,” Melissa interrupted, afraid to look at Pearl.
    But she could feel Pearl staring her down and knew if she didn’t say something fast, Pearl would demand some explanation and probably say a lot of things about Melissa and Shane that Melissa really didn’t want to share with Bo.
    “Pearl.” Melissa had no idea anyone’s eyebrows could raise that high. “I’m leaving a little early. I’m sitting in with Bo’s band while his bass player has exams.”
    “Yeah, Pearl, you and Henry should come out to Vickery’s tonight.”
    “Well, this is a surprise, yes sir, a big surprise. Maybe me and Henry will come see the two of y’all. Together .”
    Yes, she was definitely Team Shane.
    “It’s such short notice, Pearl. And we’re just playing for a couple of hours. I’m sure it’s not even worth y’all coming out.” The last thing she wanted was Pearl sitting in the audience giving her the stink-eye all night long.
    “Melissa Bliss, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

    A nd apparently Shane felt the same way. He shared a table with Pearl and Henry, and didn’t take his eyes off of Melissa all night. Normally she was comfortable with a guitar in her hands, but, tonight, she felt like her bass was the only thing she was wearing. Not cool in front of a crowd of people, many of whom she knew. Bo, tried to get her to relax the way she normally did when they played together, but it was impossible, with Shane watching her.
    So, Bo tried to make Shane leave with a bunch of songs the band and Melissa knew but hadn’t rehearsed. He belted out the blues, sending messages to Shane. The last definitive one before the break, ‘Leave My Girl Alone’, brought the crowd to their feet when Bo dug into the lyrics. Melissa glanced up to see Shane looking like he was going to kill Bo.
    Finally the song ended. “Thanks y’all. We’re gonna take a little break, but we’ll be back,” Bo said.
    Bo kissed the back of her hand and nodded toward the deck that overlooked the marsh. “Wanna get some air, baby?”
    “No thanks. I want to say hi to Savannah and Parker, and if I don’t speak to Pearl and Henry, I’ll never hear the end of it.” She’d hoped he’d take the hint and give her a moment.
    “I’ll come with you.”
    Great.
    “Hi, Parker.” Melissa kissed him on the cheek and introduced Bo.
    “It’s been years since I’ve seen you play, Melissa. I’d forgotten how good you are,” Parker said. “And thanks for inviting us.”
    “You were amazing. Again.” Savannah hugged her; she looked gorgeous in a coral-colored sundress and a pair of shoes Melissa would kill for. She could see Savannah and Parker were having a good time, but also knew without asking they had not clicked like Melissa had hoped they would. “Nice to see you again, Bo.”
    Bo hugged Savannah and shook Parker’s hand. “Hope y’all are staying for the second set.”
    “I see Pearl and Henry over there.” Shane was with them, looking gorgeous and beyond pissed. “Talk to you tomorrow, Savannah.”
    As mad as Pearl looked every time Bo got within two feet of her on the stage, she shocked Melissa with one of her patented bear hugs. “You were so good, honey. Your daddy would’ve been so proud of you.”
    “Hi, Pearl.” Bo started to hug her but she stopped him, jutting her hand toward him. Instead of shaking it, he kissed the back of it. “Better hang onto this one, Henry. She’s one of a kind.”
    “She sure as hell is a sassy thing,” Henry chuckled, “but she’s my sassy thing.”
    “My sassy thing. Sounds like the start of a good song.” He grinned at Melissa.
    Shane stood up suddenly and, instead of coldcocking Bo like Melissa was sure he would, he threaded his hands in her hair and kissed her lightly on the lips, lingering just long enough for her to feel