Bill Carter pulled the trumpet from his lips and stepped to the mike, looking into the dimness of the audience surrounding the bandstand. His eyes flicked across to the table where Laura was sitting.

"Ladies and Gents, the next number is Laura for my woman Laura."

He placed the horn to his mouth and the first silken notes floated out over the audience as the four other musicians took up the accompaniment.

People gathered on the dance floor and started swaying to the slow ballad. It was the last number of the evening, and Bill milked it for a good seven minutes. When the last mellow note faded from the air he stood back and let his eyes drift to Laura as she sat staring starry-eyed at him.

If only she didn't have to leave the next day for New York ... he thought bitterly, laying down his trumpet and briefly glancing at the men in the combo.

"See you around!" he told Don Jenson, the bass man, an old friend.

"Say, don't forget the party tonight."

"How could I?" he smiled, stepping off the band stand and moving to the small two foot circle the club owners called a table, where Laura was sitting.

"You were wonderful as usual," she greeted, extending her hands out to his. They squeezed their fingers together and then he sat down next to her. "Only trouble, we can't dance together to that wonderful music!"

He laughed and then sighed, tired. He didn't say anything for a long while, then he finally blurted out: "It's a damn thing you going!"

"Hush! Let's not talk about it, now!" she whispered. "Let's make this evening perfect. As if it were the very last. We should always live our lives for the moment, as if there is no tomorrow."

"Ah, but there's always tomorrow!" He gazed into her eyes, never wanting to stop attempting to reach her very soul in such a manner. The love they shared seemed as if it had existed forever and would continue on throughout time itself; for they were soul mates.

"All the tomorrows are now, and now if forever," she murmured. "I love you."

Just then a heavyset man stepped up, his lips clamped around a thick cigar. He pulled a chair to the table and said: "Hi, there, sweethearts."

"Can't you leave a guy alone with his girl?" Bill asked half seriously.

"You'll have plenty of time, later tonight!" the man observed, a roguish grin on his face and a twinkle in his eyes.

"For an agent you know too damn much!" Bill laughed, finally pulling his eyes away from Laura's and looking at the man who had placed them into the club and was arranging a few big deals for the group.

"I talked to Larson today," Hanson said, seriously. "He's interested in looking you over for a recording date. He'll be here tomorrow, so blow up a storm."

"Progressive or--"

"Both. He has two labels and if he doesn't like the swinging of one style, he's sure to like the other. Who knows, maybe he'll record you on both..."

"You've done a lot for us, Hanson!"

"Think nothing of it!" the man exclaimed. "Have connections, and after a little string pulling people jump! Plus I get my percentage!"

Bill had heard about the man's connections and it was rumored that they included the Syndicate operations, but that really didn't matter. The so-called Syndicate ruled Las Vegas and if they could get a feature spot there, it might help a lot. But it would have to be a feature in some show not the lounge bit, since they'd been through that before and it didn't gross anything but money. Which was fine, only Bill wanted more. The bigger his reputation the better his chances in the future. The music business was a tough place to make a living, even for a short time, but for the long haul, it took a lot more than a flash or some gigs here and there across the country. Even Vegas could be limited to mere flash--fast money, little fame. Or it could make a big name for a few lucky professionals. This kind of advance man, agent, promotional push, could make the difference. Hanson stood and then after saying goodbye, he left.

Bill turned his attention to Laura, again. She was smiling at him. "You've really come along way haven't you?" she asked.

"From a kid in the slums to a feature sideman in some of the top bands in the country. I guess so. And it was a long haul for the trio, now combo. We did a lot of dinner dates, weddings, private parties, stuff that barely paid the bills." He paused and then added: "Only thing is, I've always wanted to make the point on my own. My own group. You know."

"Sure," she nodded.

"And to think it's all happening so fast. And at the right time. Just when I'm going to get married. You must be my good luck charm!" he exclaimed, excitedly.

"That all? Just a lucky charm to wear around your horn?" She laughed at the private joke.

"You're more than that. Without you I don't think I'd ever want to blow a note again. It is all for you, now. You've changed my life, totally turned me around from a driven man to a man with a realistic dream."

"Don't ever give up your dream, Bill. Never do that."

"I don't have to. I have you."

"Even so. You have a God given talent!"

"And that's being in love with you. That's been God's real gift to me."

"And you're my personal gift from God," she murmured, leaning closer. "When you play Laura to me, it really is like being made love to. Maybe even better."

"Better?" he moaned in mocked pain. "I thought I was the best."

"Well, the way you blow that horn, well it's the best I've ever experienced." She giggled at that.

"Sometimes I wonder about you. Such a ... naughty mind."