QUEENIE BABY: On Assignment Read Online Free PDF Page B

the last note there were a few seconds of silence before the room erupted in applause and whistles. There were also a few catcalls, but I think that was Granddaddy.  
    “Thank you so much,” I said into the microphone. “If you enjoyed that, I’ll be performing at McGlynn’s again this Friday night from nine to twelve. Hope to see you here.” I unplugged my guitar and headed back to the bar.  
    Granddaddy had SoCo shots lined up on the counter. One for each of us. I glanced over at Mark. He looked almost serious. As I was putting my guitar back in its case, he leaned over and said, “You’re great. I mean amazing.”  
      “Well, that’s good. I was worried I was keeping you awake.” He wrinkled his forehead. “Your eyes were closed through most of the song,” I said with exasperation.
    He looked like I had caught him with his hand in the cookie jar. “I had to close my eyes, so I could actually listen to you instead of just staring at you.”
    “Is that supposed to be a compliment?” I asked jokingly.
    “Yes,” he replied as he took my hand, turned it over and kissed the palm gently. Warmth spread up my arm and down my body to all the good parts. Wow. What was that?
    I had to put a stop to this. Remember the rules, Diana! You met him in a bar. It’s a no go. Non-negotiable. I pulled my hand back. “I’m sorry, but I don’t date men I meet in bars.”
    Granddaddy slurred, “Come on you two. A toast.” We all raised our shot glasses. “To my Queenie Baby!”  
    I rolled my eyes and downed it.
    Mark leaned closer and smiled wickedly. “Who said anything about dating, Queenie Baby?”
    I sucked in my breath, ready to tell him all about himself.  
    “Whoa, hold on there girl,” I heard Granddaddy say. Next thing Carol was face down on the floor. “Barkeep,” he announced loudly, “we have a patron down. I repeat we have a patron down.”
    Woody gave me a look that said we had worn out our welcome. I said, “We’ll take our check now.” This place was my bread and butter. “Come on Granddaddy. It’s time to go.” I pulled on his sleeve and ran around him to get Carol.
    “Aww, the party was just gettin’ started,” he complained and looked eagerly for something else to drink.  
    “I have to play here again Friday. I don’t want to lose this gig,” I pleaded.
    That stopped him. “Yep, you’re right,” he said with a drunken nod. “Don’t shit where you eat. Time to make tracks.”
    Mark got on the other side of Carol and lifted her to her feet. He propped her against the bar stool as I bent to get her purse. I noticed she was still in her stocking feet. No shoes in sight. Well, it wasn’t that far of a walk. I looked up at Mark. “You don’t happen to have a car, do you?”
    “No. Not that I would drive right now even if I did,” he replied shaking his head. “I’ll flag down a cab.”
    “No chance a cab is going to stop for this motley crew. We’ve got ‘backseat barfers’ written all over us,” I said pushing a stray hair out of my eyes. “We’ll just have to walk back to my place. It’s only two blocks. Carol can stay with me tonight.” I sighed. This was going to be fun.
    “Need a hand?” he asked. “Or was that an invitation?” He had such a wicked, sexy grin.  
    “You can just keep your hands to yourself,” I cried. “And keep your lips off mine!” I turned away to root through my purse for my debit card to pay the bill. I put the card on the bar.  
    Woody said, “It’s paid,” and nodded at Mark who was putting on his coat. Argh!  
    That just burned me. Did he think he was going to pay for a couple of drinks and follow me home to bed? “Thanks, Woody. Sorry if we were a little rowdy. I’ll see you Friday.”
    “Hey, no problem,” he said easily. “Besides, your new boyfriend made it well worth it.” Woody turned around and rang the bell over the cash register. A bartender signal that he had just received a good tip.  
    I looked up at