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“Wow.” Lawrence and Shawnee were two of the biggest names in the game. Touring with them would be quite something.
“But what about in the meantime?” Autumn asked. “I mean, I know you don’t have to work, but what else are you going to do?” She lowered her voice before she continued. “I have to say congratulations, and you go girl; there’s no missing the fact that you’re finally doing him.” She inclined her head toward Xander.
Tori giggled. “Thanks. He’s awesome.”
“And so are you! It was obvious that he had his sights set on you, I just wasn’t sure if he’d be a good fit.”
“Oh, he is. We’ve known each other all our lives. I know it might seem that we’re complete opposites, but he gets me – maybe better than anyone else ever has.”
Autumn grinned. “So, you’re okay to just enjoy life for a while?”
Tori nodded slowly as she mulled that over. “You know what? I think I am. As you said, I don’t have to work, and neither does Xander. We’re both lucky in that respect.”
“So, do you have anything on the horizon?”
“We don’t. The first thing I wanted to do was talk to you – to make the decision about whether I’m going to keep singing.”
“And since you’re not – and just remember that if you change your mind at any time, I want you to call me – what are your other options?”
“That’s what we need to figure out. Neither of us is eager to go back to Napa. The only commitment I have in the foreseeable future is that I said I’d go visit my mom.”
Autumn frowned. “She lives in Summer Lake now, right?”
Tori couldn’t help but smile. “She does. She moved there to be with Russ. Do you know him?”
“I think I’ve met him when we’ve been out there to visit Clay. Oh! Hold on.”
Tori laughed. “What does that smile mean? You’ve got me worried now.”
Autumn laughed. “There’s nothing to worry about. I’m just having a thought.”
“You have to remember that I’ve worked for you long enough to know that your thoughts can lead to things that I need to worry about.”
“No. It’s nothing like that. It’s just … Clay wants to shoot the video for his next single at the lake. I can see why. The setting is just perfect. The only trouble is, he wants to use this damn old pickup truck in the video.”
Tori gave her a puzzled look. “That sounds kinda cool. Why is it a problem?”
Autumn made a face. “Because the truck is here in Nashville. I’ve been trying to figure out how to ship it out there to him – which is a pain in my ass. But…” She raised her eyebrows.
Tori stared back at her. “What? I don’t get it. What does that have to do with me?”
“Well, you’re the only person I know with time on her hands, a reason to go to Summer Lake, and her own personal bodyguard to accompany her.”
“Oh! You want us to drive it out there?”
Autumn shrugged. “I know it’s a lot to ask. But maybe it’s not. They say that a road trip is the best way to get to know someone. You guys might have a blast on the road. What do you think?”
Tori glanced over at Xander, who was now talking to Brock and Carson. “I’ll have to talk to him first.”
“I know. And if he hates the idea – if you hate it – just say so. It’s only an idea, and probably not a very good one but there’s no harm in asking, right?”
“Right,” said Tori. The more she thought about the idea, the more she was starting to like it.
~ ~ ~
By the end of the night, Xander was almost wishing that Tori wanted to stay in Nashville. Brock and Carson had hit it off. Matt and his band were people Xander enjoyed spending time with. He could see himself sticking around and working security alongside Brock.
However, Tori had made it clear to Autumn, and to the others, that she was done singing – for now, at least. She was open to coming back if and when Callie returned, but Xander didn’t expect that to happen anytime soon.
