But now I’m no longer married to a spouse with a stable income. He’s required to pay alimony for a while, but eventually, I’ll need something, and I don’t trust myself to choose what that is when I’ve clearly gotten it wrong every single time.
“I’m over here convincing you to go to a concert on a weeknight because I have no one to go home to, no real responsibilities. Let’s face it, Jules, I’m terrible at calling the shots in my own life.”
When she doesn’t say anything it feels like a confirmation. My shoulders slump. I don’t know where my confidence went.
“You should do it for me,” I say.
“Yeah. Okay.” She rolls her eyes at the same time mine grow three sizes.
“No, that’s it!” I grab her by the shoulders. “Jules… there is no one in the world I trust more than you. You’re the perfect combination of stable and brilliant. Maybe I just need some guidance for a while.”
“You’re asking for a single mother—a nursing student who lives off caffeine—to call the shots for you,” she reminds me.
“Yes.”
“Someone who will turn you down the next time you suggest, on a whim, to leave her kid for a country music concert.”
“Yes?” I question what she’s saying this time.
“I’m gonna go use the restroom and give you some time tocome back to your senses,” she says, tucking her purse against her side and squeezing her way toward the aisle.
“I’ll come with you,” I offer, but she swipes her hand in the air.
“We’ll call this a test. I’m making the decision. You stay and enjoy those stars in your eyes.” She winks at me. “I’ll be right back.”
She disappears up the stairs, and I turn my attention back to the stage. Who wouldn’t have stars in their eyes watching those hips sway, watching him tip his cowboy hat? I’m not sure god has given a better gift than that, to be honest.
It’s several songs later when I’m wondering where she is that it hits me.Her phone. I shuffle through the contents of my purse. That minx! In the midst of my breakdown, she managed to snatch it back.
I check the stairs at the exact moment she happens to be hustling down them.
“Sum, I gotta go. It’s Henry. He’s being difficult for Jake, and he wants to FaceTime. It’s too loud in here to do that.”
She’s clinging to her purse strap and gnawing on her bottom lip. I hate seeing her like this. I just wanted her to have one night of no worries, and the only way I can give her that now is by getting her back to the hotel where it’s quiet. I scoot toward the aisle.
“You should stay. I’ll Uber,” she argues, but I shake my head.
“I got what I came for.” I spread my arms wide, showcasing my merchandise.
She laughs and lets me follow her.
We take the stairs as the lights dim, and I glance over my shoulder one last time to catch that sexy cowboy picking up his guitar. He strums a single chord, and the hair on my arms stands at attention.
He’s about to play my favorite song.
According to Julia, the only thing better than staying clear ’til the encore of a concert is leaving without the droves of people. Other than a few restrooms and concession stand lines, the hallways are completely empty. She seems more at ease.
Even with cement walls and steel doors in the way, I expected to hear the swell of music on our way out of the building. So far, nothing. The February breeze bites at my skin and tornadoes my long blonde hair in a scarf around my neck. I peel it away from my face and twist it up in a clip I find in the side pocket of my purse.
“I’m sorry I made you leave early,” Julia says again.
“It’s all right.” I sigh for dramatic effect. “Maybe I’ll roam the streets of Nashville. Find myself a hot cowboy who daylights as a veterinarian to take me out on a date.”
“Why doesveterinarianfeel out of place in that sentence?”
“What? I like a guy who likes animals.” I smirk because the only guy who has ever really been in my life definitely did not.
My attempt at humor doesn’t make Julia feel any better, and I don’t want her to torture herself anymore over this, so I shimmy and make a joke to get her to laugh. “You were just ready to sleep with meandRhett Dawson tonight. No sense in being ashamed about it.”
