“Enjoy the moment.” He hugged her. “The songs are a done deal, but the duet should be soon.”
“I won’t tell anyone about the duet, but can I—”
“You can tell anyone you want about the songs.”
She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the house. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?” he asked, amused.
“To tell whoever is here about the songs.”
His latest surprise was awesome, but the best part was being in a relationship with Nash. She didn’t know how the distance would work once he left Quinn Valley, but she knew they would figure it out. She would show the naysayers in her family how wrong they were about Nash Bennett.
Ivy couldn’t wait to hear them apologize.
* * *
The next two days, Ivy was still caught up in the glow of knowing Nash wanted three of her songs. He seemed to want to be with her, too. But that didn’t mean her regular life stopped.
She carried a lunch order to table four. She didn’t normally work this shift but was splitting it with another server to cover for a third on vacation. The extra hours would be good for her savings account, but she missed being able to spend more of the day with Nash.
“I have a chicken Caesar salad for you.” She placed the plate in front of the customer in seat one, which was how she kept track of orders. “And a macaroni and cheese lunch special for you.”
“Thank you.” A woman in her twenties, the one who ordered the salad, studied Ivy. “You sang on that video with Nash Bennett.”
“I did.” And at some point Ivy would record it with him. She wiggled her toes.
The other woman, who appeared to be a little older, picked up her fork. “What a lucky break he found you in Quinn Valley.”
A thrill raced through Ivy. “I thank my lucky stars every day.”
“I bet,” the salad woman said. “Have you met his girlfriend yet?”
Ivy froze. “Uh, no?”
“He and Peyton Rush make such a cute couple. You must be thrilled to have her singing your song with Nash.” The other woman scooped up a bite of the mac and cheese. “She’s not only amazing, but she’s more famous than he is.”
Everyone knew Peyton Rush. Ten years ago, she’d dated Nash. Now both were superstars. Her more so than him.
Feeling dizzy, Ivy steadied herself with the back of the chair. “Excuse me. I have to check on an order.”
Heart pounding, Ivy went into the kitchen. Spots appeared before her eyes. The tight feeling across her chest got worse. She was having trouble inhaling.
Bethany stood at the stove with a spoon in her hand. She wore her chef’s jacket and hat. “Hey, I have…”
Ivy put her hand over her heart. Air left her lungs faster than she could bring it in. “Can’t breathe.”
Something clattered onto the floor. Bethany sat Ivy on the bench in the employee locker room. “Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Slowly.”
Ivy tried. One breath. Two breaths. Okay, she could breathe again. “Thanks.”
“You’re pale.”
Nash’s girlfriend. Singing Ivy’s song.
Bethany touched her shoulder. “Take deeper breaths.”
Ivy did.
