“They’ll think you spent the night.”
I chuckled.“I did spend the night.”
“You know what I mean.”She rolled her eyes.
“Babe, far as I’m concerned, this town couldn’t get the message fast enough that we’re together.I figure we might as well rip the Band-Aid off on the gossip mill, and we can do that while feeding you something sweet.What do you say?”
“You make it all seem so easy.”
I kissed her again, unable to keep my lips to myself when it came to her.“Doesn’t have to be hard.What has you worried?”
She sighed.“I’m the new girl in town.I was just trying not to make too many waves.I’m not a big fan of scrutiny.”She grimaced, but then her gaze softened.“But if anything is worth it, you are.So, I’ll pull up my big girl panties—as Goodie likes to say—and deal.”
I chuckled.“I’d rather pull them down, but I get what you mean.”Sobering, I met her gaze.“And if anyone gives you a hard time, they’ll answer to me.And if I’m not around, then my family has your back, and so does yours.You may have only moved here recently, but you have an army of support,” I reminded her.
“I’ve never had that,” she marveled.
Her reaction forced me to school my expression.After knowing her only a short while, I already knew I’d give anything to protect her, to make her feel safe.I couldn’t understand how her parents never had.
“Okay, let’s rip that Band-Aid off,” she agreed, her spine straightening in resolve.“And anyway, I’m in desperate need of caffeine.Should we take Ranger?Doesn’t he need to eat?”
“We can take him.He’ll be alright.My mom snuck him table scraps last night in addition to his dinner.I’ll feed him when I get home.”
“Let me just throw something on, and we’ll go.”She stepped out of my embrace and headed for her room.I let Ranger in the house and clipped his leash on just as she emerged, looking gorgeous dressed in jeans and a tee, still free of makeup.
I took her hand after she locked up, and we made our way down her front walk.
“So, are we going to talk about that phone call?”she asked.
“What about it?”Truth be told, I’d already put it out of my mind.
“Seems like you’re needed in Nashville.”
“Davis always wants me in Nashville.”I shrugged easily.“He can wait.”
“And your label?Your fans?”she pressed.“It sounds like the material you have is exceptional.”
“Well, I have an exceptional muse.”I wrapped an arm around her shoulders as we waited at a stoplight.
“I think you might be exaggerating.”She grinned up at me.“And dodging the question, I might add.So, let me ask you another way.Why don’t you want to go?”
“Already calling me on my shit.”Chuckling, I grabbed her hand again and gave it a squeeze as we made our way across the street.“I’m never eager to leave town.And I just got you to agree we’re starting something.I want to make sure you’re as obsessed with me as I am with you before I leave you for the first time.”
“You’re a crazy man,” she admonished with a grin.“I’ll be here when you get back.I’m not going anywhere.I think you should consider going.”She added seriously.
“I’ll think about it,” I assured her as we stopped in front of the bakery.“Now, coffee?”
“Coffee,” she agreed emphatically.
Riley:Griff and I are at Goodie’s.Your girl’s on the bar tonight.A little too popular with the tourist assholes.
The text came as I was debating what to eat that night.Our trip to the bakery that morning had been largely uneventful, save for Greta’s eyebrows nearly getting lost in her hairline when we’d walked in hand in hand.When we’d gotten back to Lucy’s, I’d reluctantly left her, knowing I needed to feed Ranger and deal with the phone calls that were now coming directly from my label.
I might be heading to Nashville after all.
I’d been planning to convince Lucy to have dinner with me, but Goodie had called asking if she could help at the bar.She’d been quick to agree, wanting to help her aunt.
My reply was immediate.
