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“Nah, don’t take it personally. Jameson hates everyone.”
We both removed our hands from our pockets at the same time, the tension between us lifting completely. All the years of fighting seemed to vanish as he followed me over to the stage. It was coming together—perfectly.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
-Jamie-
The day without Elliot went slow. I had to stop myself from looking at my phone, and fight the urge to text him—knowing how busy he was. He didn’t need a text from me to disrupt his flow.
Jillian attempted to keep me busy, but even though she tried her hardest at the cabin, she failed. I wanted Elliot there. I wanted to hear the guitar play as I started a new painting. I wanted him to throw a snowball at Killian and Phillip, and I desperately wanted to be in his arms.
Last night changed things, changedus. I had felt it for a while now, but last night made it real. Really, really real. Jillian, seeing my brain move at a million miles an hour, pulled me from the cabin. Piling me and her twins in the car, we went to the Newpark Shopping Center in Kimball Junction, stopping at a local clothingstore where we each picked out a new outfit for tonight. The owner was one of the sweetest ladies I had ever met, and when I found out her husband was a dentist . . . well, that gave us something to talk about. Something to distract my mind. Even though she knew nothing of the profession, just the familiarity of something so close to home made me smile. It helped take my mind off the looming thought that Elliot still hadn’t texted me.
Jillian had to pry me away from talking with her, telling her we would come back on our next visit. She waved with the brightest smile.
“Why are you so weird? You don’t need to talk about teeth all the time,” Jillian grumbled.
“I don’t, that’s Madeline. Not once have I talked about teeth on this trip.”
“What do you callthat?” Jillian used her thumb to point behind her at the store.
“What?” I laughed. “Her husband is a dentist! I had to.”
“Mommy!” Phillip shouted, his arm held out in front of him. “A pottery place! Can we go paint!!”
Jillian looked at me and then to her phone. “What time is the show?”
“Late . . . eight. He’s most likely doing his sound check right now,” I said softly, taking a deep breath as I looked at my sister. “Let’s go paint some pottery.”
She wrapped her arm around my shoulder. “You really like him, don’t you?”
I gave a harsh laugh. “Isn’t it obvious?”
“Very.” She nudged me with her hip. “And it’s obvious he really, really likes you too. And you’re sure you’re okay with him leaving tomorrow?”
I grabbed the door handle and held it open for the boys and Jillian. “Yes, why wouldn’t I be? He’s worked so hard for this; he can’t miss this opportunity.”
My phone dinged in my bag, and as Jillian and the boys went to look for their piece to paint, I fumbled to grab it. Almost as if heknew we were talking about him, a text from Elliot sat on my screen.
Elliot:Two Thomas Rhett songs – acceptable?
I smiled.
Me:As long as one of them is my song.
Elliot:Sadly no – but I guarantee one will make you smile. Or hate me. One of the two.
Me:Then three Thomas Rhett songs. Come on. Make Madeline proud.
I watched as the three dots danced on the screen, butterflies growing each time they bounced.
Elliot:Two. That’s all Bennett will give me. See you tonight?
Me:Wouldn’t miss it.
“Auntie Jamie!” Phillip yelled. “You should paint this for Uncle Daxton!” He turned quickly, holding a small guitar. “If you don’t, I will!”
I took the guitar from him. “We can both paint one.”
