Fancy vacations—check.
Private school educations—check.
None of those things were ever important to me, which is a good thing, since I can no longer afford any of them.
I ponder the idea of leaving Brentwood altogether. With Claire starting kindergarten next year, it would be the perfect time for her to switch schools. Grace is so smart and socially savvy that she could flourish anywhere. If we switch schools, they could get a fresh start.
I could too. Being the subject of gossip hasn’t been easy to ignore. It’d be nice to move to a new neighborhood where no one knows our history.
“Maybe,” I reply noncommittally.
“I don’t mean to pressure you. Selfishly, if you moved into Nashville proper, I’d love to have you and the girls closer to me, that’s all.”
“Selfishly, I’d love that too.”
“Think how easy it would be to meet up for Sunday brunch or to go to the farmer’s market on a Saturday afternoon. Could be fun.”
As I sip my drink, I mull it over. After planting the seed, the idea is growing on me. I don’t think I realized how much I don’t enjoy living in Brentwood until the idea of escaping it was broached.
Perhaps moving out of Brentwood is the answer. I’d be closer to work. The girls and I could all get fresh starts. It would be cheaper. We’d be closer to Laura. I should email Marsha and ask to expand my property search to include certain neighborhoods in Nashville.
“Hey, Anna,” mutters Laura, sidling up next to me so that she can turn my body. “Don’t look now, but isn’t that one of Kyle’s co-workers standing over there? To my left.”
My heart sinks. Crap.Why hadn’t I realized I might run into some of Kyle’s colleagues?I hadn’t even considered the possibility, which was incredibly stupid and short-sighted of me since Kyle worked in the Nashville music industry.
Glancing over my shoulder, I blow out the breath I was holding. “Yeah, that’s Aiden,” I whisper, the nerves taking hold of me.
“Come on, we’re leaving. No good will come from seeing them and making uncomfortable small talk. I don’t want them to ruin our night.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to make you leave,” I hesitate. “You’re having fun and enjoying the music, and you said your favorite band is playing next.”
“Totally sure, Anna. Let’s just move the party elsewhere. We can hit up a nearby bar.”
“Okay, that sounds great.” I take a deep breath in relief. “Thanks.”
Grabbing my hand, Laura pulls me toward the exit quickly.
As we’re hustling to freedom, I hear a man’s voice call my name over the sounds of the crowds, but I keep moving.
12
Annabelle
Now
Continuing to argue, Laura insists, “I still think you should wear your cowboy boots.”
“Dammit, Laura, for the tenth time, I’m not wearing the boots!”
“Then why’d you bring them?”
Excellent question.And one I don’t have a simple answer for.
Throwing up my hands, I grouse, “I brought half my closet with me because I didn’t know what to wear.”
The girls are off school tomorrow, so they’re having a slumber party at Laura’s house while I go on my date with Josh. After we got them settled for the night, Laura’s been helping me get ready for my first proper date. I’m equal parts excited and anxious.Meeting a guy for drinks at night feels way more high stakes than grabbing coffee with a stranger in broad daylight, and the nerves are getting to me.
“Josh was wearing boots and a cowboy hat when you met him. He’ll think you look sexy in them.”
