“Make sure you have your boarding pass too,” Ella reminded her.
“How could I forget?” Grace beamed. “I’m flying first class, baby.”
“I’ll go ahead and load up your suitcase.” I grabbed the handle of the behemoth and swiveled it toward me.
“I’m going to uh… help Cash,” Ella called after Grace as she bounded down the hall. “Turn the lock on your way out.”
After we’d made it a few steps down the walkway, Ella reached into her purse and pulled out my phone, discreetly passing it to me as though Grace might have somehow developed x-ray vision and be able to see straight through the walls of the house. I quickly slipped it in my pocket.
Ella smirked. “Nice save.”
“I’m so sorry,” I said as we reached my SUV, and I popped the trunk open. “I hope this is okay. I was thinking I would just stop by to tell her goodbye and try to sneak my phone back from you.”
“It’s fine.” She waved me off. “I’m sorry I didn’t realize I had your phone sooner, and I’m sorry I was mad at you all day yesterday for not calling.” She caught my eye as I hoisted the suitcase in the trunk. Her grin was smooth like Kentucky bourbon.
“I wanted to call you so many times,” I admitted.
She leaned into me, her blue eyes shimmering in the glow of the morning sun. My mouth felt as though it were being pulled to hers involuntarily, but before I could attempt to kiss her, Grace came bounding down the walkway.
“We may have to skip the coffee run,” Grace said, tossing her carry-on bag in the trunk. “Sam texted and said he and the band just got to the airport, and they’re waiting for me outside security.”
I nodded, slamming the trunk closed. “Straight to the airport then.”
I moved to open the back door on the passenger side, and Ella started to climb in before Grace swooped in and cut her off. “You sit up front, Mom,” she insisted.
“Okay then,” Ella said as I closed the door behind Grace.
“My lady,” I joked, as I opened the passenger door for Ella.
She stuck her tongue out at me, and I couldn’t control the smile that spread across my face. I strolled around to the driver’s side and climbed in. Before I had even closed the door, Grace was chattering animatedly, ticking off a laundry list of things she’d packed. She did most of the talking while Ella piped in with occasional questions and reminders as we made the short drive to Nashville International. I forced myself to keep my eyes on the road when all I wanted to do was steal glances at Ella.
“I mean it, Grace,” Ella warned as we pulled into the parking garage. “You have no business out at night without Sam or one of his security guards or one of the people on his team. You’re a beautiful young woman in an unfamiliar place. You’ve got to stay aware of your surroundings.”
“I know, Mom. I will,” Grace promised.
“Your mom’s right,” I added as I parked the car. “And you know if you needanything—day or night—all you have to do is call me.”
Ella looked over at me, her face soft with gratitude.
“I know,” Grace said, humoring me as she unbuckled her seatbelt. “I’m going to be careful. Everything is going to be fine. I think you guys are forgetting that I’m an adult.”
“Well, you’re stillmybaby,” Ella insisted. “No matter how old you are.”
Grace laughed. “Okay, Mom. I’ve really got to get in there.”
“Fine.” Ella smiled back at Grace who had already flung open the door. Ella’s face fell as she turned to open her own door.
I reached over and gave her shoulder a squeeze before we both got out of the SUV. I helped Grace with her suitcase, and we made the trek inside the airport. We checked Grace’s bag at the British Airways counter, and as we approached security, I caught a glimpse of Sam’s mop of red hair waiting in a cluster of people. I saw the moment his eyes landed on Grace and watched as his face came to life.
“Hey, Grace,” Sam’s chipper British accent greeted as we approached. “Good to see you, Cash. And you look lovely as ever, Miss Ella.”
Ella beamed. “Thank you.”
The band and crew looked like they weren’t awake yet as they mumbled their hellos and stifled yawns.
Grace turned to Ella. “We better get going so we can get through security and get to our gate.”
Ella nodded and pulled her daughter into her arms. “I’m going to miss you so damn much, kid.”
