“Yes, I am going. Sutton is going to be working the party with her catering company. And, as previously discussed, I am bringing the flowers. Why do you ask?”?
Charlie finished chewing his next bite and gave me a snicker from across the table. “Well, I’m asking because—dammit, Pickle!”
Pickle had latched herself onto his leg and was biting frantically at his shin. She jumped up onto the table, stuck her head into the pizza box, and wrangled herself out a slice. Plopping down across from Charlie, she kept one eye on him as she noshed.?
“Anyway, as I was saying, do you think Lee will come?”?
I thrusted my seat back from the table and spun toward the window, flinging it open in one swift movement. It startled the cat, who now had fur stickingup every which way while covered in pizza sauce. She threw paws at Charlie.?
“You and this cat were made for each other. You’re both unhinged as shit. Magnolia, get your damn cat!”?
I crossed over to the table to give Pickle the death glare, and she jumped down on the floor and groomed herself, leg stretched in the air, purring loudly. She was proud as heck for thinking she won the fight—this time.
I moved back to the window, staring down at the alley below. The scent of warm, hot garbage crept through the open window, and I could feel a wave of nausea rising in my throat.?
“Touched a nerve, did I?” Charlie smiled, mouth full of pizza.?
I turned to face him, leaning back on the windowsill. “I mean, he hasn’t come to one event in the last ten years, so I’m not sure what makes you think he would come home for this one.”?
Charlie nodded, and Pickle paced around his chair. “You’re probably right. I’ve sent him a few messages this week, but he hasn’t responded. He did buy a piece of mine from my online gallery a few months ago.”?
“Wow, what a great best friend,” I scoffed, reaching for the bourbon and pulling a swig directly from the bottle.?
“Well, it’s complicated, of course,” my brother offered.?
“Right. I’m sorry that’s yet another thing I ruined for you and Lee.” My shoulders tensed up, and I let out a long, bourbon-scented sigh.?
“Well, that’s just about all the self-loathing I can handle for one day,” Charlie said, inching his chair slowly away from the table so the cat didn’t maul his leg. “Are you coming to the wine tasting tonight? I’m showing four pieces I think you might like.”?
My brother, ever the opportunist.
“I have to work tonight, clearly. I have one bartender left, and I can’t afford to keep her on all night. Stop by for a drink when you’re done. Bring Doyle and Jordan. It will be fun.”?
Charlie crossed the kitchen and kissed my forehead, letting his hand rest on my shoulder.? “You’re my baby sister, and we’ve been through so much. We’ll get through this one, too. Don’t even think about Lee. I’m sorry I brought it up. Besides, you’re happy now, right?”?
I kept my eyes on the floor and nodded slowly.?
“Happiness isn’t tangible, Magnolia. You had a vision of how your life would work out, and this isn’t it, but that’s okay. It’s not about a relationship or your career. You’re not where you thought you would be at this point in time, and with who you thought you would be with, but you’re here. And you’re surrounded by great things and great people who love you.”?
“Thanks, Charlie,” I said, leaning in for a hug. “I’ll see you later.”?
Chapter two
LEE
My phone rang for the fourth time that day. I didn’t have to look at the screen to know who it was, and I knew the longer I put it off, the more agitated she would get.
I tuned my guitar and let my eyes pan around the room. My floor to ceiling windows, looking down over the heart of Nashville, were designed to keep my eyes trained on the hustle-and-bustle below and inspire me to want to be more than just a songwriter. I was supposed to be inspired to become one of the greats—or whatever my manager said when he secured this condo for me.?
“Lee!” my songwriting partner, Ryan, called from the living room, sounding perturbed that his game of Call of Duty was being interrupted.?“You have a call,” he grumbled, as he pushed my bedroom door open and flung his cell onto my bed, rushing back out into the living room while adjusting his headset.?
I crossed the room and peered down at the phone, chortling as I saw the name on the screen. Women. The FBI should be run by southern ladies, and southern ladies alone. They can find anyone, anywhere, anytime.?
“Hey, Momma,” I laughed, lifting the phone to my ear.?
“Leland Wilder! I have called you fifteen damned times today! Why aren’t you answering my calls? You’re supposed to be here. Today!” Though she had only called four times, I wasn’t about to correct her. From the sound of it, her party was stressing her out, and the clanking of ice against the glass—and the time of day—led me to believe she was on her second highball.?
“I’m sorry, Momma. The label needed me to send over a few things before I left, so I’m just now getting back from the studio. I’m packing up now,” I lied.?
