“Me too,” I grumble and then catch on to something she said. My eyebrows shoot up into my hairline. “Former friend?”
She smirks. “Well, you did ghost me on social media.”
“I said I was sorry.”
“Talk is cheap,” she snips.
“I know, so I won’t keep trying to convince you.” A gush of emotion runs through me. It’s nice to be around Cassie again. I hadn’t realized how much I missed her friendship. Too bad she’s going to hate me when she finds out I’m Jovie Chord.
“So, how did you get into the field of interior design?” She scrunches her nose. “Sorry, but I have a hard time picturing you as a decorator.”
She has no idea how accurate that statement is.Think, London, think. You have to tiptoe around this.“I sort of fell into it.” That’s somewhat truthful.
“Do you enjoy it?”
I pause like I’m considering the question, even though the answer is easy. “No, not really. The designer I’ve been working for is a piece of work. She’s tight with Zoe.”
“I don’t know what my brother ever saw in Zoe Reynolds.” She rolls her eyes. “Other than her being glamorously beautiful and an influencer.”
Jealousy pricks at me. “Yeah.” I puff out a ball of air.
“She’s an entitled snot,” Cassie spouts.
“I don’t know her very well, but from what I’ve seen, I’m inclined to agree with you.” A sense of camaraderie kindles in me, and I’m vindicated that Cassie despises Zoe.
Her voice swings up. “But, hey, the good news is that he’s choosing you.”
“Or maybe I’m the one choosing him.”
She giggles. “You’ve still got your spunk, I see.”
“For better or worse, my spunk is alive and well.”
“How did you end up in Nashville … doing design work?”
“Why not Nashville? I’ve always liked country music.” I cringe inwardly. That sounded so lame, but it’s the best I can come up with on the spot.
Suspicion coats her voice. “Is there something else you’re not telling me?”
My eyes widen. “Why would you ask that?” Cassie has always been able to see right through me.
“It just seems too coincidental that youhappenedto work for a designer whohappenedto be decorating Seth’s home for the holidays.”
I keep my voice light. “Coincidences happen.”
“They do,” she acknowledges, “but my gut tells me there’s more to the story.” She hardens her voice. “I gave you a chance to prove yourself. Don’t blow it.”
My pulse bumps up several notches. “You gave me a few extra days to tell Seth the truth, and that’s precisely what I intend to do—after we perform at the benefit.” Hopefully, she won’t press me on the subject any further.
She lets out a long exhale. “My brother’s a good guy.”
“I know that,” I say fervently. “He took me to the soup kitchen. I even met your uncle Dex.”
“You did?” She sounds shocked.
“I did. I know that Seth funds the kitchen and outreach center to help Dex and people like him. That speaks volumes about his character.”
“It does. How’s Dex doing?”
