A collective gasp filled the room. Ruth pressed a trembling hand to her mouth, eyes wide with shock. Then, as if breaking free from a trance, she took a step forward, a tearful laugh escaping her lips.
“Yes!” she cried.
Applause and whistles rang out as Nolan slid the diamond ring onto her finger. Tears streaked Ruth’s face, but her smile outshone them.
Doc popped a bottle of champagne and wait staff appeared with trays of already-filled glasses. He lifted his own in a toast. “I’d like to welcome Ruth and her parents to the Langley family!”
A server stopped beside Jamie and Clayton, offering each a glass.
Jamie turned to him. “You having one?”
Clayton considered for a beat, then smirked. “Would be rude not to.”
He took two glasses, passing one to her. They clinked, lifting them toward the newly engaged couple before taking a sip.
Jamie closed her eyes as the cold liquid slid down her throat, its crisp bite a welcome relief. “God, I needed that,” she murmured.
Clayton let out a low chuckle, eyes glinting as he took another sip. “You and me both.”
A few hours later the party was in full swing. The music was blaring and everyone sang along to country songs Jamie had never heard. Birdie and Doc had already left with the girls, so she didn’t feel bad about drowning her sorrows. Alcohol was the only thing keeping her in a good mood.
Of course, she was happy for Ruth, but it also felt like she was losing her best friend. At that moment she decided to stay in Nashville for the summer while figuring out her next move.
Jamie spotted Shorty talking to Buddy, and from their expressions she knew it was about business. They were planning her next tour. But she didn’t want to go without Clayton’s band. Maybe not even without Clayton.
She approached them, a glass of champagne in hand. “Hi, guys.”
Shorty’s eyes flicked to her drink. “You’re drinking?” His tone carried a note of disapproval.
She glanced at the glass and nodded. “This is my second one,” she lied.
Buddy frowned. “Take it easy, Jamie. You haven’t had a drink in months.”
Without another word he walked off, leaving her alone with Shorty.
“I’ve decided to stay at the penthouse through the summer,” she said.
Shorty let out a heavy sigh and shook his head. “I wish you’d told me sooner.”
“Why?”
“I rented it out, starting the middle of the month.”
Panic tightened in her chest. “Can’t you back out of it?”
“The lease is signed.” He shook his head. “You said you were leaving after recording the Osmonds’ song.”
“I know, but I can’t take Poppy away from her puppies. And now Ruth’s getting married.”
Shorty studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Do you want me to find you another place? A hotel? Nashville’s tricky for short-term rentals in the summer.”
“No hotels,” she said firmly.
“I’ll see what I can do.” His gaze flicked to her empty glass. “And by the way, I don’t believe that’s your second drink, missy.”
The fireworks exploded with booms and colors that lit up the sky, streaking red and gold across the night. Luckily, Pyro Pete—one of their crew guys—was at the party and had taken over the detonation, otherwise it would have been total chaos. Jamie was probably the only person in attendance who hated fireworks: too loud, too unpredictable. And worst of all, they terrified Poppy. She’d asked Clayton’s parents to take the dogs home so they wouldn’t have to suffer through it alone.
“Can I get you a drink?”
