Laney swallows and then takes a drink of her water. “The winery hosts a Concert in the Courtyard each month and the act I booked in November had to cancel, unfortunately.” My heart starts to race when I realize where this conversation is going. “Is there any way you’d be interested in performing?”
“I think it’s my turn to choke,” I say, clearing my throat so I don’t start coughing. “You—you want me to do an entire set? Like…by myself?”
Laney nods, sitting up taller in her chair. “Yes, if you’re interested. Dilynne mentioned that you are one hell of a performer, and she might have shown me a video she took of you at The Charming Bull.”
“Oh, joy.”
Laney laughs. “Look, I have another band I could call, but I figured I’d offer it to you first. Given your situation, I thought it might be a good way to dip your toes back into music with very little pressure. Plus, the locals love supporting our own, and everyone knows you’re Henley’s nanny now, so I’m sure the whole town will show up.”
“I thought you said no pressure.” I drag my palms down my thighs, trying to wipe away the sudden clamminess.
Laney’s smile softens, her eyes warm with understanding. “Seriously, just think about it, but could you let me know by next week maybe? That way, I can still contact a replacement if you decide against it.”
Blowing out a breath, I reply, “Yes. I can do that.”
“Great. Now, you said that you needed some advice…”
“Oh, yeah.” Wiping my mouth with my napkin, I adjust myself in my seat. “Not that I don’t appreciate Dilynne’s perspective onthings, but since this pertains to her brother, I wanted a more neutral opinion.”
“So this is about Henley?”
“Yeah.” I bite my bottom lip before whispering, “He sort of kissed me this past weekend.”
Laney’s eyes widen in shock. “Oh my God.”
“Yeah, and there’s been a bit of…touching since then,” I say, feeling my cheeks flame from the admission. I quickly add, “Nothing crazy! In fact, most of our clothes have stayed on.”
Laney waggles her eyebrows. “Oh! Scandalous.”
I roll my eyes. “Very high school, I know. But he was insistent about it.”
That makes Laney’s jaw drop. “Really?”
“Yeah.” I take some time to explain what’s happened from the kiss to where we are now, and just a little over a week away from traveling to Charlotte together for Fletcher’s game without Remy as a buffer.
“Part of me so desperately wants to push him for more, but I also know that he has to do this on his own time. I’m just terrified of getting hurt. You heard Dilynne. She said I’m his type. The man hasn’t had sex in months probably, and he’s used to consistent action, so I’m sure that the physical aspect is a driving force here.”
Laney tilts her head to the side, reaching for my hand. “Elodie, I want you to really hear me when I say this.” I brace myself for what she’s about to say. “Henley has never looked at a woman the way he looks at you.”
My stomach flips, then dread rushes back in. “But I’m leaving…”
“Well, is there a scenario where you don’t?”
“Music is still such a big part of my life, Laney. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.” Closing my eyes, I say, “I can still remember the first time I picked up a guitar and what that felt like.” When I open my eyesagain, Laney is watching me. “But being with Henley for the past two months, living with him and taking care of Remy, has shown me this entirely different side of life that I want too.”
“Well, if the man is opening up to you, I think you owe it to yourself to see what’s there. You don’t have to be back in Los Angeles by Christmas, do you?”
“No. My lease was up with my roommates. The deadline was self-imposed so I wouldn’t stall on making a decision.”
“Then maybe the timeline you gave Henley doesn’t really matter if you’re still figuring things out. Don’t tell him that, though.” She taps her chin in thought. “No, I’d see how things pan out. Sometimes all we need is time to push us into taking action. That certainly was the case with me and Fletcher.”
I pop a chip in my mouth. “You know, I haven’t heard the full story of how the two of you got together yet. I’ve gotten bits and pieces, but I’d love to hear it from you. I mean, you’re living out many women’s fantasy.”
Laney laughs. “Which is?”
“Marrying a professional athlete. There’s a reason why that trope works so well in romance novels, girl.”
“Yeah, well, I fell for Fletcher Adams long before he was one of the top wide receivers in the league, long before he was the man he is today.” She lets out a wistful sigh. “But I think being able to know that version of him and the man he is now makes it even more fulfilling because I know how hard he’s fought to become who he is today.”
