“I don’t know if you mentioned Nashville,” Zoe says to Avery.
“Of course I did,” he says back.
She frowns. “Well, I’ll have to go shopping. And get a blowout with a conditioner pack. Nashville is hot. Too hot.”
I snort out a small laugh. Marriage material my ass. Boy better start saving for the alimony now if he plans on putting a ring on that.
“Amanda, dear, are you coming to Nashville?” my father asks. Amanda sits up straighter and looks between my father and me.
“I’m not sure. I–”
“She is,” I cut in. “As soon as we sign the artist, we are going to start writing for her. It’s imperative that Amanda is with us.”
Avery’s snarky brow stitches together. “You’re going to assign her to an artist of that caliber? That tour could determine our outcome for the year. Amanda has only been with us for a short time.”
I lean in. “Amanda is the most qualified writer we’ve ever hired. Agents and songwriters are my department. Maybe let me run it as I see fit, brother.”
“Just making sure you’re not thinking with the wrong head,brother.”
I can feel the fangs coming out. The venom budding. The anger blurring my vision.
“Well, I for one think Nashville is going to be fire,” Noah cuts in, attempting to put the fire out. “And I’m excited that it’s not a redeye trip either. A little country is good for the soul, you feel me?”
“I agree,” our father says, and I can tell he’s getting tired of the conversation. Unfortunately, I’m amped up and by the grit in my brother’s jawline, I think it’s safe to say that he is too.
“I’ve been thinking about it, Callum. A lot of hasty decisions have been made in your department. I just hope for the company’s sake, for Hardin’s sake, that you aren’t knee jerking too hard. Thrills are fleeting if you know what I mean.”
“I do know,” I smile, taking a sip of my drink. “Which is why Amanda, and I are finally moved in together. Nothing levels the mind like settling down. Isn’t that right, sweetheart?”
I look over at Amanda. For a split second she looks like a deer in the headlights. But she recovers quickly, smiling and placing her hand on my knee. “Yes, of course. It’s so nice to be all moved in.”
“Well, isn’t that nice,” my father says, wiping his mouth with a cloth napkin, a sign that he is done with this dinner and ready to go. “We should celebrate sometime. A housewarming party.”
“Of course. Name the day and time,” I smile and shove my chair back before helping Amanda to her feet as well. I think it’s safe to say, I am done too. But just as we turn to leave, Avery speaks again.
“While we are making celebratory announcements…”
He puts his napkin on the table.
He stands up and turns to Zoe.
Then…
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me…
Avery lowers to his knee and pulls out a Tiffany Blue box.
“Zoe Paris…will you…”
“Oh, my God it’s gorgeous!”
Before Avery can get the proposal out, Zoe snatches the box from his hand and plugs her ring finger into the white gold band. Meanwhile, I think everyone within a ten-foot radius has retina damage from the rock on her hand.
The rest is white noise. I couldn’t tell you if people are clapping, cheering, crying or otherwise. But I am seeing red. I also feel like I’m going to be sick. I also feel like I need another drink.
“I think my ride is here,” Iris says, looking down at her phone.
“I’ll walk you out,” Amanda says. It’s obvious that poor Iris thinks we are all nuts and wants to run away. She doesn’t strike me as the type of girl to be impressed by any of this. Honestly, knowing that Amanda’s best friend is a very grounded person gives me some peace.
