As Ivy drove home, memories of the evening streamed through her mind, but she kept coming back to one. When she’d wanted to kiss him.
Did Nash kiss as well as he played the guitar and sang?
She would never know the answer to that.
When she arrived home, Pearl announced her displeasure at being alone with a series of meows. A treat, however, settled the cat.
Ivy texted Nash.
Ivy:Home! Sleep well.
NB:Thanks. Sweet dreams.
She had a feeling her dreams would be the sweetest, especially if Nash played a starring role. Whatever happened in her subconscious was safe. As for real life—not so much. Which was why she needed to be careful around him and not mistake gratitude for…something else.
* * *
On Wednesday, Nash texted, asking if they could work on more songs before his appointment with Travis. Ivy said yes because she wanted to see him more than self-preservation wanted her to say no. This time there were no almost-kisses. No touching, either, making her realize she had imagined a connection between them last night. That should make her happy. Instead, her heart appeared to shrink at the realization.
Thursday brought an excited call from him. He’d written something new and wanted her to hear it. So Ivy ended up at his hotel where they’d spent hours on that song and others before she had to go to work. Once again, the connection she’d felt the other night didn’t appear. She chalked it up to an overactive imagination, and perhaps a hidden longing she hadn’t acknowledged.
On Friday morning, sitting at the laundromat while her clothes dried, her cell phone beeped. The text was from Nash.
Her heart leapt.
A stupid reaction, but one she couldn’t help.
She missed him. Strike that, she missed working on music with him.
Pathetic.
They weren’t even friends. Co-writers, yes, she could call them that, and Nash’s attorney was drafting a contract to protect both their interests. But she shouldn’t misshim.
NB:Any free time today?
Ivy:No, I have things that must get done. Sorry.
NB:No worries. Do you know if you’re singing this weekend?
Ivy:Tonight for sure.
NB:I’ll be there. Sing one of your songs, please. Just not Broken Dreams.
Ivy:Why not that one?
NB:It’s mine. I don’t want anyone to hear it yet. If you were with a music publisher, I would have put a hold on it.
Ivy:I’m not sure how the licensing all works.
NB:You will soon. You’ll need your lawyer to review contracts before you sign.
Ivy:I don’t have one.
NB:I can recommend a person. Not mine so there’s no conflict of interest. But R.J. will know others who are good.
Ivy:Thanks.
NB:See you tonight.
