THIRTY-FOUR
The Sunday between Mother’s Day and Memorial Day is Wren’s strawberry festival. After talking to the town board, they agreed that a community event coordinator would benefit the town, especially since many of their events attract tourists. Even though they told Wren that they could move things around and find money in the budget for the position, Wren went ahead with planning the spring festival anyway, and she’s done a fantastic job at actually delegating tasks for it.
“I can’t believe you did this,” I say to my best friend, looking around at the county festival grounds as we stand in the exclusive area behind the giant stage currently blaring music from a local band. Hundreds of cars are neatly parked in the grassy lot, and from what I’ve heard, they sold two thousand entry tickets. At the center of the fairgrounds are many food trucks and vendors, mostly businesses from Holly Ridge. On one side is a handful of rides and games, and on the other are some animals from the 4-H club, but the real draw for the day is the giant stage where, an hour ago, Atlas Oaks played a full set as a favor for Adam.
That said, I’m pretty sure the community coordinator’s salary will be paid for years to come.
Jesse and Madden just ran off to grab us food, and Emma and I are standing in the VIP section with the band, Wren, Adam, Nat, and Leo, Adam’s publicist and the band’s manager.
“It’s wild, right? I was just going to do it small, but then Adam mentioned a micro-festival vibe could be cool. I didn’t want him to feel like I was using him for his connections, but he made the call without my even knowing, and the band was on board before he even suggested it.” Wren grins wider. “He even got their event management company and security contacts to donate free services as well, so I didn’t even have to do much. Isn’t that wild?”
I don’t tell her that the reason Adam did all of that was so he could ensure she wouldn’t overwork herself with this event. Knowing Adam, he foresaw her burning herself out in her effort and did anything he could to stop it.
“Do you think he could get Willa Stone next year?” Emma asks, nearly skipping as she goes. From her neck dangles a VIP badge that gives her backstage access. Last night, we had dinner at the King house with the band, and after spending most of the night with Stella Greene and Harper Holden, she’s told me that next year’s vision board will include learning to play the guitar, writing a song, and learning to sew. I mentally added a guitar and sewing machine to my potential Christmas gift list.
“I could probably make that happen,” Reed, the bassist for Atlas Oaks, says, putting an arm around Emma’s shoulders. A blush burns on her cheeks, and I bite back a laugh.
“No, you could not,” Beckett, the drummer of the band, says deadpan. “No one tells Willa what to do.” I’ve learned in our small time with the band that Reed is the goofy, happy-go-lucky one and Beckett is the serious one.
“I wouldn’t betelling her what to do. We just have to tell her how great this event was, and she’ll totally do this for Adam,” Reed says.
“Or I could ask her. We’re kind of friends,” Emma says with a proud smile, and my heart swells at the look. In the past six months, Emma’s confidence has absolutely skyrocketed, and it’s so fun to see.
“I heard about that,” Leo says, tapping his phone screen and sliding it back into his pocket. The man seems to be on that thing constantly. “Heard you were a cool kid and that the town seemed full of good people. It’s why when Adam asked about this festival, I knew the band would be interested.” I don’t know if he means it, if he and the pop star actually talked about Emma, but I could hug the stoic man for putting the excited look on my girl’s face
“I hear you’re thinking of leaving the city and might be looking at a house here?” Stella Greene, the wife of the lead singer, Riggins, says as she shifts a baby on her hip. A sparkle comes to her eye when Leo nods in his agreement. “You know, there are plenty of houses in Ashford for sale.”
Leo shakes his head at her suggestion. “I’m kind of liking this place. Far enough away from the chaos without being too far from airports and transportation. Ashford is in the middle of fucking nowhere. I could never live there.”
Riggins hooks an arm around his wife’s waist and tugs her into his side.
“Plus, I don’t need Leo near us. Ashford is where we go to escape him. If Leo were nearby, he’d be knocking on our door every day with some new idea.”
Leo glares at the rockstar, who seems so much more like a regular guy than I expected.
“I’m so sorry, I want to get you guys' work. Maybe if you stopped dropping off the face of the earth, I wouldn’t feel the need to show up at your front door.”
“We’ll go on tour sometime. I just need this guy to be a bit bigger, you know?” Riggins says, leaning to poke his son in the belly, a loud baby laugh filling the air.
“Yeah, yeah,” Leo starts, then goes to say something else before they’re interrupted by a man in a tight-fitting black T-shirt withWilde Securitystretched across the front, and Leo’s stern manager face returns. “All good, Jaime?”
The man nods, then looks around the group.
“There’s a woman at the entrance trying to get access, and she’s starting to cause a scene. She doesn’t have a pass and isn’t on the list, but is insisting she belongs back here.”
“Did she give a name?” Wren asks, confused.
Jaime nods. “Name was Kim Dunne. She said she knows you, specifically, Wren.”
My entire body goes still, and I turn with wide eyes to my best friend, who is looking at me the same way.
“Kim? Like, my mom?” Emma asks, and panic moves through me, utterly unsure of how to handle this. Jesse and Madden just left to get us some food before the show starts, but I need him here now.
“Text Jesse,” I say to Wren, but don’t stop to see if she followed my command, since Emma has started to move toward the gates of the VIP section. Jaime jogs after her, and I follow closely behind.
“That’s her! That’s my baby!” a woman’s voice calls out, and my attention moves in her direction, seeing a familiar blond arguing with a couple of security guards. Jaime calls something, and the guards step aside, letting Kim inside the VIP area. She moves quickly to where Emma stops, and I stop right beside her. “Emma! Give your mom a hug!”
Emma stands, confused and awkward, as her mom pulls her into her arms.
